Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 9

POLICE, CRIME & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 18th August - 1st September TACKLING GRAFFITI IN BRISTOL CITY CENTRE Police officers working under Operation BLOCK have identified the male responsible for the “SCUD” graffiti tag, one of the most prolific tags in the north central area. The individual has been arrested and interviewed.

By working closely with the Bishopton Cotham Redland Street Scene Group and Bristol Waste Company, 47 instances of criminal

damage by “SCUD” tags over the last two years have been identified across the city and linked to the same suspect. The total value of damage has been quoted as £5,700. In the coming weeks, Police will be looking to use intelligence gained from this to act as a catalyst for investigations into larger, more damaging graffiti tags.

charged with commercial burglary in Broadmead and was sentenced to prison for this and other unlinked offences.There have been a number of anti-social behaviour issues near to YHA in Narrow Quay. We have increased our visible policing in this area and

have been liaising with the hostel to reduce any future issues. The local Beat team, PC Naomi Gane, PC Tom Green and PCSO Matt Cawsey, are the police point of contact for any non-urgent issues in this area.

CRIME OVERVIEW

Over the last two weeks there have been 212 recorded crimes. This is still down on 298 crimes recorded in the same period last year. We have successfully prosecuted an offender for 14 theft offences at a convenience store in Queen Charlotte Street. A male was also

POLICE TAXI COMPLIANCE OFFICER Patrick Quinton is the first and only Police Taxi Compliance Officer outside of London. Based at Bridewell police station, Patrick was appointed three years ago at the request of taxi drivers and is responsible for 3,700 vehicles and 4,200 drivers who are licensed by Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils.

Patrick ensures compliance with road traffic law and the licence conditions set by the councils, deals with any offences,

investigates crimes committed by and against drivers, and supports the drivers in the vital and ,sometimes difficult, work they do.

Working in partnership with Bristol City Centre BID, Patrick works through the night on most weekends to support the night time economy along with the BID’s Safeguarding Marshals and Street Pastors. If you have an issue with a taxi, please contact Parick by emailing taxis@ avonandsomerset.police.uk.

EXTINCTION REBELLION

NARROW QUAY

Over the past weekend, Police have been on duty in high numbers to manage the protests planned by Extinction Rebellion (XR) in Bristol City Centre.

Thursday night saw the closure of the Suspension Bridge followed by two females being arrested after a lock-on in the middle of the bridge.

There have been a number of complaints relating to anti-social behaviour (ASB) from residents and businesses in and around Narrow Quay and Prince Street.

During Saturday, Sunday and Monday, XR held a variety of activities on Prince Street Bridge and in the wider city centre area which had no negative affect and caused the Police only to manage and engage with no enforcement required. This Police operation was based on engagement and

working with XR to allow protest with minimal negative impact on the city. The weekend was a success and we hope to continue this positive response should there be further protests in the future.

Bristol City Centre BID and the local police team attended a recent zoom meeting to raise concerns around drug use, street drinking, public urination and abusive and intimidating behaviour.

To resolve the current issues, the security presence has been increased, there has been additional cleaning introduced, and the police have put in dedicated patrols where resources allow.