Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 57

POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 17 - 30 AUGUST 2022

CRIME STATS The crime trends for the last two weeks show 415 crimes recorded for Stokes Croft & St Michaels, Old City Docks, Broadmead, Redcliffe and Temple, Harbourside and Hotwells.

Recorded crimes are at a comparable level to the previous 14-day period (425) with the highest recorded crime continuing as theft (118) and violence against the person (115), followed by public order offences (71). Burglary and sexual offences have decreased.

INCREASE IN SHOP THEFT During the summer months, you may have noticed an increase in shop theft throughout the city centre.

The neighbourhood police team take this issue extremely seriously therefore will be employing several approaches in order to tackle this and make Bristol a safer, more secure place for everyone to live, work and shop!

During the coming weeks, the police will be using both covert and overt tactics as means of addressing this matter, a combination of high visibility officers and plain clothes officers will be used to both target key offenders and deter opportunists.

ILLEGAL USE OF PRIVATE E-SCOOTERS As you are already aware the police regularly target the illegal use of private e-scooters in the city centre and surrounding areas, through a number of operations. They have also noticed an increase in electric motorcycles such as those made by Sur Ron. E-scooters are often ridden dangerously on the road, pavement and through parks. The riders will cover their faces with balaclavas and seek to intimidate members of the public, with some riders linked to criminality.

As a result, we are looking to identify these riders and where appropriate seize their motorcycles if they are being used dangerously or have been chipped to make them go faster than the 20mph legal limit.

Please report to the police if you have identified any areas where they are a problem.

ARSONISTS TARGET PUBLIC TOILETS During the last week, the police have seen an emerging crime series of arson targeting public toilets in the retail space in Bristol, focussing on The Galleries and Cabot Circus.

There were three incidents in total where fires were ignited. This directly affected the safety of our community and thankfully was able to be put out before any major damage or injury was caused.

Police working with Cabot Circus identified a suspect through CCTV and officers deployed based on the MO to the locations and times of recent incidents. As a result, PCSO Brenden Laben identified and detained a suspect matching CCTV. He was arrested and following an investigation is now on bail pending CPS advice.

This partnership work has taken a dangerous and careless offender off the streets, reducing the risk to the safety of our community.

Please keep reporting crimes so the police can support you and deal with offenders positively.

POLICE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT As part of their community engagement, the Stokes Croft and St Michaels neighbourhood team take part in safety events as well as working with security at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Such engagement has been met with success and partners within the Bristol Royal Infirmary are thankful for the effort that the neighbourhood team undertakes.

Bike Registry events are a key factor in helping educate, and provide safety and security to the staff at the hospital who cycle to and from work.

With the Clean Air Zone soon to be introduced the police often work alongside representatives from the Bristol City Council to help educate commuters about this issue as well as register bicycles with a free service that helps deter theft as well as act to identify lost or stolen bicycles.

Neighbourhood police officers also often work alongside security at the hospital to help manage and engage with persons who for a variety of reasons require extra support as well as reassuring hospital staff that there is zero tolerance for abuse and actions taken against staff.