Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 50

POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 11 - 24 MAY 2022

CRIME STATS Crime levels remain similar to the previous period with 297 crimes recorded.

Theft continues to be the highest recorded crime with a slight increase to 105, followed by violence against the person (76).

The police continue to encourage the public to keep safe by staying in groups and planning journeys home in advance.

PLAIN CLOTHES PATROL Neighbourhood Policing Team officers conducted uniform and plain clothes patrol throughout Broadmead and Cabot Circus.

The aim was to target the most prolific offenders who have been reported to cause the most issues.

A male was witnessed leaving a Cabot Circus store with approximately £600 of designer handbags. This person was arrested, interviewed and charged in court. The police also imposed bail conditions restraining this person from re-attending the area, to reduce further offences.

If the police have arrested a suspect they will always require: 1. Witness statement 2. CCTV (if installed) 3. A receipt for the goods stolen.

These are necessary in order to interview the suspect in a timely manner and to allow us to get back out onto the streets.

It is important that you continue to report crimes that occur. It will allow the police to identify hot spot areas and where to direct resources.

You can report on 101 or through an online form at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

OPERATION SCEPTRE WEEK Last week the police were involved in the national Operation Sceptre week focussing on Knife Crime.

A vast amount of work was carried out across the country, the force and in Bristol city. This includes proactive policing, targeted hardening, education, intervention and hot spot policing.

Test purchasing was carried out at retail stores to ensure that knives were not being

sold to juveniles. In total, 35 stores were visited and 27 passed by refusing the sale.

Over the next few months, the beat team will engage with the 8 stores that failed and any further breaches may result in prosecution.

If you are a retailer, please ensure that you are aware of the legislation in regards to the sale of bladed articles. Please ensure that you ask for ID and refuse sales to anyone you suspect to be under the age of 18 that cannot produce identification.

STREETWISE UPDATE The Streetwise Team (Street Intervention Service) is a collaborative multi-agency based team working with the street community throughout the city to tackle associated ASB. Many within this community have complex needs with mental health and drug and substance abuse issues. Within the team is a dedicated outreach worker from Bristol Drug Project. In the last couple of years, we have seen a successful Welsh trial of a new drug called Buvidal. This medicine is used as maintenance treatment for opioid

(heroin) dependence in patients who are also receiving medical, social and psychological support. It contains the active substance buprenorphine. Buprenorphine acts as a substitute for opioids and it helps withdrawal from opioids over a period of time.

An ongoing trial has now begun with suitable candidates in Bristol and although small, anecdotal evidence is showing positive results. Some long term heroin users have stopped use and are now living independently.

TRANSGENDER PROTEST On Saturday 14 May, a group called ‘Trans Pride South West’ (TPSW) and ‘Bristol Pride’ carried out a planned protest in Bristol city centre.

The protest attracted approximately 200 people and saw some participants carrying the trans pride flag amongst others with placards as they were joined by supporters.

The group assembled at 11:00am on College Green, aiming to campaign against conversion therapy for transgender people in response to recent government proposals.

Whilst the demonstration which was monitored by police remained peaceful, some minor disruption was caused to traffic as the protestors subsequently went on a march through the city centre before finally returning to College Green to disperse of their own volition. The event concluded without significant incident.

The subject of conversion therapy which has caused controversy recently is the method by which a therapist attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.