Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 46

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

CRIME STATS Overall, crime levels have risen slightly from 225 to 230 compared to the previous period. Violence and theft have been the most reported offences.

There have been 80 anti-social behaviour (ASB) reports generated, showing an increase from 54 incidents reported in the previous period.

INTRODUCING PC LIAM MCFARLANE I am PC Liam McFarlane and I have recently joined the Bristol city centre Neighbourhood Team at Bridewell Police Station covering the Old City and Docks.

I joined Avon and Somerset Police in 2016 working as a response officer at Southmead Police Station before moving down to cover the east of Bristol and the city centre from Kenneth Steele House in 2017. I enjoyed working on response but after 6 years I felt it was time for a change and I am looking forward to the new challenge that awaits.

Having covered the city centre I am no stranger to the demands of the area and I am looking forward to addressing any issues you may have. Over the coming weeks, I will be out and about with my colleagues and I look forward to sharing my suggestions with you and listening to your own concerns, ideas and advice.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLES Over the past few weeks, we have started to see a rise in incidents of theft from motor vehicles, with victims mainly from car parks in the city centre.

In the past 6 months, we have charged a male with a number of offences and had a successful CBO order preventing access to car parks. At this stage, we believe this male to again be responsible and have tasked our local team to focus on this to reduce crime, detain and disrupt the offender.

To support us in our work we ask that if you or a customer or employee of your business are a victim, please report it to the police. This will help develop an offending pattern and support our targeted police work. Many thanks in advance.

Updates will follow once this criminal behaviour has been disrupted and reduced for the community of the city centre.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES TACKLE CRIMES

A dedicated team of Special Constables has been set up in Bristol city centre to tackle anti-social behaviour and other crimes associated with the night-time economy.

Initially, this was set up to fill a gap in resourcing before the full night-time economy operation begins. Led by Special Constable George Sioufi, the team of between 2 and 8 have a weekly briefing to commence high-visibility foot patrols from 18:00 to midnight. So far, over nine patrols have proved successful, with jobs involving a number of arrests; mental health concerns for welfare;

public order incidents; assaults and traffic offences.

Inspector Dolling has said: “‘I am extremely grateful for the ongoing hard work of the Special Constables and for the invaluable support they have offered the Bristol Central Neighbourhood Team. The city centre can be a challenging environment for police at times, especially since the re-opening of the night-time economy at the end of last summer.

SC Sioufi and his colleagues have kindly given up their own time across many months over numerous weekends. They continue to tackle a number of tough issues with notable energy and enthusiasm, providing a reassuring friendly face to the public as they strive to make the city a safer place. My own team of officers have benefitted considerably from the Special Constabulary’s regular contribution in dealing with heavy demand.”

Additionally, the Special Constables have held their inaugural Taxi Compliance operation, kindly assisted by ‘Taxi Cop’ PC Quinton. Over the course of the day, approximately 40 vehicles

were pulled over, with two traffic notices issued, and one non-compliance notice referral to the council for not displaying their taxi plate.

OPERATION SCORPION 7 – 14 March saw many officers across Bristol taking part in a week of action targeting the issue of drugs in the city.

The operation was staffed by a significant number of the Neighbourhood Team officers who incorporated various tactics.

In North Central Bristol, the week started with Drugs Education and Prevention talks in a number of school settings. This was followed by 25 welfare visits to the homes of vulnerable people identified as a significant risk of being used by other drugs users and suppliers, an unsavoury practice known as ‘cuckooing’.

In other parts of North Central Bristol, three drugs warrants were executed and another pro-active operation took place in Broadmead, alongside activities

targeting drugs supply in and around HMP Bristol working with prison staff.

In total, 13 arrests were made in North Central Bristol, 14 persons were reported for summons, £5,000+ of drugs were seized, 30 stop searches were conducted, 20 intelligence submissions were completed and a number of diversions were made of individuals to rehabilitation programmes.

In addition to this, dozens of vehicles were stopped by police (with some seized) alongside 40 taxis stopped as part of a special mini-operation.

The week-long operation has been heralded as a success and highlights the ever-present dangers of illegal drugs.