POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE
5-18 JANUARY 2023
CRIME STATS
The below crime stats were recorded up until 16 January 2023, with a total of 252 reported crimes for this period. Violence Against The Person has dropped by 15% (from 65 to 55) with other visible decreases also apparent with both Public
Order Offences and Anti-Social Behaviour both decreasing by 33%. As always, the police would like to encourage everyone to report any crime that they may have been a victim of or witnessed.
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL UPDATE FROM PC SIAN HARRIS
The past few weeks at the university have been quiet, with many students returning home for the Christmas break as the university had closed for the holidays. Those that have returned have now entered a period of exams / assessments. Teaching will re-commence at the end of January and the university and surrounding areas will become busy once again as life returns to normal.
I will be working with the university over the next couple of months to remind staff and students about the importance of keeping their personal belongings safe whilst in and around the university – in particular, bikes. Many students and staff use bikes to travel to and from the university every day meaning that the area is a target for bike thieves. I will be working with the security team to remind
students and staff of the importance of using good quality D-locks and offering regular bike marking sessions where owners can register their bikes with the online database, Bike Register. Patrols will also increase in known bike theft ‘hot spots’ to deter potential bike thieves. Click here to watch Sian talk about student safety and bike thefts.
WHAT EXACTLY IS NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING?
In 2023, there is an increase in the number of exciting Neighbourhood Police Officer opportunities across the force area, including central Bristol.
The police are currently internally recruiting for Neighbourhood Managers / Beat Officers and are looking for experienced Police Officers who are looking to take the next step in their police career.
Inspector Adam Dolling says, ‘Neighbourhood policing is my favourite type of police work and in my 25 years of service I have been privileged to be a Neighbourhood Constable, Neighbourhood Sergeant and later a Neighbourhood Inspector, in between other roles across different departments. I love the variety of work and the opportunities of working together in partnership with so many others.’
The role of Neighbourhood Police Officer remains pivotal to building and earning the trust and confidence of our communities. They are one of the most visible faces of modern policing, whether they work in our cities and towns or more rural areas. They work alongside Police Community Support Officers and the two roles complement each other well.
Being a Neighbourhood Officer is a very diverse role, with flexibility and adaptability being key skills. In addition to engaging with communities, Neighbourhood Officers have the vital role of working with partners to solve long term problems where collaboration is key, carrying out targeted perpetrator focused initiatives and operations and investigating a myriad of different neighbourhood crimes. In the city centre, Bristol City Council and Bristol City Centre BID (Business Improvement District) are the biggest partners.
Being a Neighbourhood Officer is a really rewarding role where you can truly make a difference in a particular locality. The neighbourhood policing teams are at the heart of our communities, working on issues and concerns in the local areas and responding to the needs of local people. They work to engage and understand local issues and challenges, and together solve these problems and provide feedback to the communities. They are a visible presence to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour as well as reassuring the public and working hard to win trust and improve people’s perceptions of the police.
As a PC within Neighbourhood and Partnerships, officers work within the six pillars of Neighbourhood policing: • Engagement
Problem solving
Offender management
Safeguarding
Responding
Investigation.
INTRODUCING SERGEANT UNDERWOOD TO BRIDEWELL
Sergeant Sean Underwood has recently taken up post as one of the NPT Sergeants at Bridewell with responsibility for Redcliffe, Temple, Old City, Docks and partly for Broadmead alongside Sergeant Friis.
Sean has been a police officer for nearly 21 years and has spent over eight years in the Neighbourhood Police world during that time, with the seven years on the response teams. In the past, Sean has been the city centre and Clifton NPT temporary Sergeant and comes to the role as a substantive Sergeant and is keen to get to grips with the Neighbourhood world again.
Sean is looking forward to working alongside new and familiar faces from partner agencies who are a welcoming sight at meetings. Sean prides himself on his enthusiastic partnership engagement, wanting to make a positive change for the community whether it be the residents, workers, or visitors.
Outside of work Sean enjoys family time (his two teenagers keep him busy) walking his dogs, running, cycling, sailing and playing rugby. Sean is keen to meet and get to know everyone in the area and is looking forward to working with everyone and making some difference.
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR ORDER (CBO) BREACHED
At 10.00hrs on Fri 30 December 2022, Streetwise Officers were carrying out high visibility foot patrols in Broadmead, The Galleries and the surrounding areas.
Whilst in Broadmead they saw a 57-yearold Romanian male, who was known to police, begging in this area. The male had recently been issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by Bristol Magistrates Court (BMC) which he had previously breached a few times by continuing to beg. The CBO is valid for three years and expires on the 15/09/25.
The man in question was arrested for breaching the conditions on the CBO so taken to Patchway Custody where his detention was authorised.
The man was later charged for the various CBO breaches with the assistance of a Romanian interpreter. He was later released from custody and will be attending BMC on Thursday 19 January 2023 for his case to be heard.