Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 44

POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 2 – 15 FEBRUARY 2022

CRIME STATS Overall, the crimes reported over the last two weeks have decreased from 294 down to 225.

There have been 69 incidents of antisocial behaviour reported, showing an increase from 51 in previous weeks.

WITNESSES & DASHCAM SOUGHT AFTER SERIOUS ROAD COLLISION At approximately 03:45 hrs on Sunday 6 February, police and ambulance responded to a report of a pedestrian having been hit by a taxi at St Augustine’s Parade in Bristol city centre.

The casualty was a young man who had suffered significant head injuries. After initial treatment, he was promptly taken to Southmead Hospital for emergency surgery.

The vehicle sustained significant windscreen damage from the impact.

The road was initially closed and a secure

scene was set up whilst an investigation into the road traffic collision began.

The taxi driver, his passengers and other witnesses assisted police with enquiries and a trawl of CCTV in the area was commenced following the incident.

Fortunately, the man’s condition has now stabilised although he remains in hospital with life-changing injuries.

If you have any further information to assist the investigation, please call the police on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222030133.

TAXI INFORMATION You may have noticed these signs recently installed at various taxi ranks around the city centre.

The vast majority of taxi drivers are honest and fair but it is always disappointing to hear that one or two still overcharge customers by not using their taximeter when they should. These posters will help the public to understand their rights and responsibilities when using taxis, which are a key component in our public transport system.

When travelling within the Bristol Council area, blue cab drivers must use their meter and charge no more than is shown on the meter at the end of the journey. They cannot refuse to take you even if it’s a short journey. To make it easier for the public all blue cabs now take contactless payment.

If there is an issue with a journey, the public can let the council know at taxi.complaints@bristol.gov.uk or contact PC Patrick Quinton, Taxi Compliance Officer, at taxis@avonandsomerset.police.uk.

SAFER SPACES Violence against women and girls is a local and national priority, and this week all area commanders have agreed to an action plan and delivery strategy to ensure that Avon and Somerset is a safe place for women and girls.

Robert Cheeseman, the area commander for Central Bristol, is excited at the opportunity this presents to make Bristol city centre even safer, and the

opportunity to further work with local partners.

There is a lot of work to be done to deliver the plan, with updates to follow.

Some aspects of the work will be educational, visible police patrols, improving environmental factors and implementing national best practices to make our space safe, with a focus on day time and night time economy.

COFFEE WITH A COP Team 3 of the Bristol Central Neighbourhood Policing Team have come up with a great idea to increase engagement opportunities with the local communities.

They will approach coffee shops throughout Broadmead to arrange a date and time to commence “Coffee with a Cop” at least once a week.

This means uniformed officers will set up at a coffee shop and engage with as many members of the public as possible.

This will allow the public to ask the officers any questions they may have regarding Avon and Somerset Police.

This will provide the officers with a perfect opportunity to create and build relationships with community members to increase visibility and confidence.

These “Coffee with a Cop” events will be advertised via police leaflets and Avon and Somerset Police social media, so please keep an eye out and come and have a coffee.