Halloween and Bonfire Night advice

Avon and Somerset Police say they're working to make sure the seasonal fun of Halloween and Bonfire Night passes off safely.

In previous years, Halloween has been one of the busiest nights of the year for police across the country as more people started ‘trick or treating’, leading to complaints about damage and nuisance.

In Avon and Somerset they've been working hard to help everyone understand that the majority of people going trick or treating are out to have fun without any intention of causing trouble to anyone, while people who choose not to take part in the spooky festivities should have their wishes respected. 

The Police have seen a fall in the number of complaints year on year, with fewer than 500 calls to our 999 number at Halloween in each of the past two years, a decrease of 60 per cent compared with 2009. 

Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson, who leads the force’s response to anti-social behaviour, said: 

'This year neighbourhood policing teams across the Avon and Somerset policing area will be rolling out well-rehearsed plans to discourage people from nuisance behaviour in the first place, while dealing robustly with any incidents that do happen.

'Once again, we’ll have extra staff on duty answering 101 and emergency calls, plus officers patrolling areas where we’ve had problems before and responding to those calls.

'There needs to be a balance so that children and young people can enjoy ‘trick or treat’ and Bonfire Night while vulnerable members of the community feel safe and supported.

'People should be prepared for some noise from excited children, but no one should accept being made to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed – and I’d ask parents and guardians to make sure their children understand how to stay safe and out of trouble.'

You can report crime or incidents on the night on the non-emergency number 101 or through our website,www.avonandsomerset.police.uk If it's an emergency, with someone at risk of being hurt or a crime happening there and then, call 999.

Neighbourhood officers will also be busy in the run up to October 31 and November 5 visiting schools, shops, and calling on vulnerable members of the community.

At schools, officers will talk to children and young people about the ‘Halloween Code’, giving them personal safety advice, like never going into a stranger’s home. They’ll also explain that what might seem like harmless fun to young people could be alarming or distressing to vulnerable members of the community such as frail elderly people or families with very young children.

Retailers will be reminded of their responsibilities around selling fireworks and alcohol. They’ll be given posters to display to show they won’t sell eggs or flour – sometimes thrown at property as a trick – to children.

People can get a luminous orange ‘sorry no trick or treat’ poster to display in their window from neighbourhood police.  They’ll be asked to be prepared for some noise from children and teenagers on the streets on the night but reminded that we can take action if they feel harassed, alarmed or distressed.

Check out our website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk for more Halloween and Bonfire Night advice - you can also download a version of the poster to print at home.

In Bath and North East Somerset Volunteer Police Cadets visited shops and residential areas to deliver ‘sorry no flour or eggs' or ‘sorry no trick or treat’ posters (see pictures).

Local Policeman gets top award

Last week our local beat officer that covers the Westmoreland Ward Adrian Secker was given a top accolade by the Avon & Somerset Police.

Adrian was given the Police beat Manager of the year award for his work in the communities and we believe that this award is well deserved as he has worked tirelessly in our area.

Some of the work Adrian has carried out has brought the main graffiti artist to Justice.

Well done Adge a well deserved accolade that has been a long time coming but well deserved.


By Councillor Sharon Ball

Police on Wheels

As a change from the Norm it is good to see our local beat Policeman Adge Secker on two wheels.

Adge believes that this is better than riding around in a Police Car as he is in more direct contact with residents.

On another point that we would make is that the criminals cannot see him coming and with any luck he will be able to catch a few more.

By Councillor Sharon Ball

Westmoreland Pact meeting

Come along to the Westmoreland Pact meeting on 20th June at Oldfield Park Baptist Church.

It is important for local people to be able to have their say on matters that affect them so come along and help set some priorities and targets for our area.

Local beat officer Adge Secker will be there to answer many of your questions.

Fresh Opportunities for Volunteers

Royal Voluntary Service (formerly WRVS) are supporting Avon and Somerset Police by providing a dedicated personal telephone support service to people in their own homes.  Royal Voluntary Service hopes to soon extend this to personal visits. The initiative enables trained and vetted volunteers to provide:

. A confidential listening ear
. A friendly caring voice at the end of the phone
. Regular pre-arranged calls
. Information about local support networks and services
. Access to other Royal Voluntary Service services
. Support to feel more confident in your own home
. Support to be independent and active in the community

Royal Voluntary Service welcomes members of Neighbourhood Watch to join them in providing support and befriending to those who need it.  The premise of Neighbourhood Watch is about local people working together to create safe, attractive, friendly places to live. Royal Voluntary Service befriending initiative enables NHW members to get involved in reaching out to members of the community who feel isolated and sometimes vulnerable.

The service operates on a referral basis, so even if you aren't able to volunteer, you may know of people within your community who would benefit from the support that  the Royal Voluntary Service can provide.

Further information about the Royal Voluntary Service and the services they provide can be found on their website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk 

For details about becoming a volunteer or to discuss making a referral, please contact Jenny Jenkins
Royal Voluntary Service Community Service Manager Bristol and Somerset
Mobile 07714 898656.

Westmoreland PACT Meeting

Following discussions with the local beat manager PC Adrian Secker, I can confirm that we have arranged a PACT Meeting.

It will be held at 7pm on Thursday 20th June at Oldfield Park Baptist Church.

Please come along to discuss any issues.

by
Sarah Moore

Man assaulted in West Ave

Can you help the police resolve this serious crime

On Sunday 15th April at approximately 11.00pm, a male was approached by a group in Brook Road, who followed him to West Avenue, Oldfield Park, where they assaulted the victim and attempted to rob him.

If you have any information regarding this incident please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference 35703/13 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Can you help the Police

 If you can help the Police in solving the crime below then please contact them.

From between 28/08/12 - 02/09/12 in ARGYLE TERRACE , on the LOWER BRISTOL RD , TWERTON an unknown offender has cut the padlock attached to the front wheel of the victims moped. The moped was parked on the rear driveway , access was gained via a rear lane, Please ensure that where possible exterior security lights are used and property locked away in garages.

If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 101 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111. 

By Cllr Sharon Ball

Beware a message from the Police

The price of scrap metal has continued to rise and because of this we are experiencing a significant rise in the number of reported crimes of metal theft, particularly lead and copper.

Where possible please consider any metals on your property and take any measures available to you to prevent them being stolen.  Prevention measures could include better perimeter security, removing easy access and any climbing aids to roofs, securing ladders away and increasing visibility to the area.  There are alternatives to lead that can be used with the correct planning permission if a listed building and metals can be property marked with forensic security marking solutions.

If you require more information please contact your local Crime Reduction Advisor on 0845 456 7000 and also visit our website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.

Ivy Avenue, Bath.

Ivy Avenue, Bath.

Between 1800 hours on Friday 1st and 0900 hours on Wednesday 6th April 2011, unknown person(s) removed a pedal cycle from the rear garden of a property.

If you have any information regarding these incidents please contact the Police on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively you could contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

If you witness a crime in progress or you believe a crime has just occurred please ring 999.

If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111.  e

Westmoreland Pact

A Westmoreland PACT Meeting took place on Thursday 24th March at Oldfield Park Baptist Church.

The following priorities were agreed at that meeting:

1. Volume of traffic, mainly HGV's, on The Lower Bristol Road. Lead agency: BANES

2. Fly tipping lane between Coronation Avenue and Ivy Avenue. Lead agency: BANES

3. Parking at junctions, Oldfield Park area Lead Agency: BANES/Police

The Panel members will now work towards resolving these issues and will report back on their actions at the next PACT Meeting scheduled for 7pm Thursday 13th October 2011 at Oldfield Park Baptist Church.

Bad parking

We have asked the police and the council to look at the problems of cars parking on the corners between South Ave and West Ave.

This practice causes many problems with car sight lines and is very dangerous.

Letter to Councillors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies March 2011

The crime year is coming to an end and next month I will give you an overview of the levels of crime that we have suffered in our community. It is generally good news with crime down overall compared to the previous year. I am also pleased that our detection rates are continuing to improve. It is very pleasing to see house burglaries down by a significant amount.

Some smart police work and invaluable local knowledge helped us catch a man who tried to entice two young women into his car on the same night in Combe Down, Bath in April 2010. We identified a suspect from CCTV pictures at the local petrol station and then one of our PCSO’s recognised the man as someone he’d been to school with – but couldn’t remember his name. After some discreet inquiries we quickly found out and detectives arrested him at home in Radstock. At Bristol Crown Court, Shaun Watts admitted attempted kidnap and was jailed for four years. The judge told him that he was danger to the public and young women in particular.

We’ve been out on patrol with a specially-trained police dog giving pubs and clubs in the City Centre a health and safety check-up. Last Friday night we were joined by the Avon Fire and Rescue Service and BANES Council’s Licensing Officer, for a monthly operation to ensure that premises comply with licensing laws and to check that fire exits were not obstructed or premises overcrowded. The dog provides the facility to search the premises for signs of drugs which helps us understand where some of our problem premises might be. It’s a regular high-profile exercise that sends the message that the authorities are vigilant about keeping people safe – and shows again how we won’t tolerate drug-taking.

Often at this time of the year we see an increase in the theft of tools and equipment from garden sheds. So we will be circulating crime prevention messages to try to alert people to the heightened risk.

Our Community Safety Team and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator have been reminding householders, particularly the elderly, not to be taken in by companies making ‘cold calls’ over the telephone and on the doorstep. It follows a number of complaints in the past week to Police about the practice in Bath, Priston and Midsomer Norton.

Our advice, always, is that you should never buy goods or services on the doorstep or over the phone from someone who you don't know or is not recommended to you. You should never give personal details over the phone to anyone you don't know - and definitely never give your bank details.

Letter to Councillors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies Feb 2011

 I have always held the view that drug dealers are parasites feeding on our young and some recent examples have done nothing to deter that view. We are working hard behind the scenes to stop drug dealers from taking a foot hold in our City and towns. This is important work and I am determined to commit as much resource as I can afford to enable us to have the greatest impact, whether that is in catching people in possession of drugs, dealing or removing the assets they have gained from their previous endeavours.

An excellent example emerged last week following a police operation when a raid on a house resulted in the recovery of a significant amount of very pure cocaine, together with chemicals to be used to dilute the existing batch. Clearly this was destined for our streets. As this person has significant assets we will now look to recovery as much as we can from him, including his large house. Our work will continue with pace!

I was delighted to see two of my officers, Jon Bevan and Clive Summerhill receiving bravery awards at our Headquarters for their spontaneous actions in diving into the river in Bath to save a drowning man. Much is talked about in these circumstances about Health and Safety, but that was far from their minds. Their instinctive duty to save life by putting themselves at risk brings great credit upon them. It was a pleasure to be present at the award ceremony and meet their families who must have been very proud.

We have taken the decision to change our arrangements at Keynsham Police station in respect of the front office. We have had a member of staff sitting in the front office to deal with customers. Over the years the number of people using the facility has dropped off considerably to the point that on some days only five or six people come in throughout the whole day. Clearly this is not sustainable and so at the beginning of March we will adopt a new system of appointments only.

We have discussed the issue with a range of key people in the community and there appears to be a sensible and mature understanding of the situation. There is no change to the levels of policing at Keynsham or the numbers of police based there.

Avon & Somerset Police are warning residents to be aware of bogus callers.

Avon & Somerset Police are warning residents to be aware of bogus callers.

Police are warning people across the force to beware of bogus callers, as criminals take advantage of the increase in burst pipes and water mains caused by cold  weather.

Over the last week, a number of offences have been reported to police across the force where bogus “Waterboard” and Dyno-rod officials have tricked their way into homes before stealing cash, purses and wallets.

Darren Taylor, acting sergeant on the Bristol Doorstep Crime Team consisting of police and Trading Standards officers, said: “Offenders have been knocking on doors, unfortunately targeting elderly and more vulnerable people, and claiming they are fixing water leaks and burst pipes in the road.

“A common theme in these offences is that victims are being told that there is blue dye in the water, and they need the victim to run the kitchen taps to check the system.

“If someone knocks on your door and you hear these things, alarm bells should start ringing.

“There is no longer a Waterboard – it is a term used only by bogus callers. Water companies also never put dye into the water.

“Since the formation of the Bristol Doorstep Crime Team and Avon and Somerset’s work to tackle doorstep crime with the national Operation Liberal, we have reduced distraction burglaries and rogue trading offences by around 60% in the city.

“In turn there has been a substantial increase in the number of crimes being detected with more offenders being identified and locked up than ever before.

“We want to further drive down these offences and warn people of what to look out for so that we stop people from becoming victims in the first place.”

The Bristol Doorstep Crime Team is a partnership between Bristol CID and Bristol City Council Trading Standards. This joint enterprise has been investigating distraction burglary and Rogue trading in the city for 18 months.

Acting Sergeant Taylor said: “If you are visited by someone requesting access and you have not reported a water leak then do not let anyone into your home.
“You do not need to run your taps.
“Be wary of unknown, unscheduled callers – just because they have a plastic id card and a boiler suit it does not make them genuine.
“A genuine official will understand and will happily make a future appointment or provide credentials to confirm their identity.”

If you believe that you have seen or been visited by these offenders then please report it to the police on 0845 456 7000. If you have any information that may help catch these offenders call 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


Top tips for staying safe
Always make sure visitors to your home are who they say they are by asking to see their identification.
Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller, as they may be bogus. Always use a number from your utility bill or a phone book.
'Water Boards' no longer exist, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
Ensure that if you do let somebody in to your home, that you close the door behind them - distraction burglars often work in teams, where one will distract you while another sneaks in through the insecure door.
Always close and lock the back door before answering the front door.
LOCK: Keep your front and back doors locked, even when you are at home.
STOP: Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked any back doors and taken the key out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is.
CHAIN: If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first.
CHECK: If someone who looks official calls at your door, always ask for their identity card; do they look like the person on the card? If you do not have a chain, ask for ID to be put through the letterbox and remember there's no such thing as the water board.

Visit the Force website on www.avonandsomerset.police.uk where you can also sign up to receive local news and alerts, Crimestoppers appeals and job details, direct to your inbox – on http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/Interactive/

Letter to Councillors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies Jan 11

Below are the extracts of a letter that has been sent to all councilors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies

A relatively peaceful Christmas and New Year saw low levels of crime across the area which was good news. Throughout November and December we increased the levels of patrol in the town and City centres across B&NES, which was well received and we had good feedback. In Bath City Centre we targeted anti social behaviour, violence and public disorder. This led to 83 arrests and 38 people told to leave a specific area. Throughout that period we also carried out 173 licensed premises visits to ensure appropriate standards were being met. Critical to our success was to ensure that those people who wanted to have an enjoyable night out were able to do so and that those who were determined to ruin other peoples enjoyment failed to do so.

We were all saddened by the murder of Joanna Yeates in Bristol and several of my staff have been working throughout Christmas helping on the enquiry. We wish the investigation well and send our condolences to the family.

Some people’s sense of fun and enjoyment tested even the most liberal thinking of us. A man in Bath who decided to go to a party as a terrorist carrying a home made bomb, which he lost on the way to the party, was struggling to see the funny side of it when he discovered the bomb disposal team had been called out after his bomb, consisting of clock wires and putty, was found in the street. He was looking pale and gaunt when he was sat in the police station trying to explain his thinking as he was realising that a lot of police time and effort had been put into investigating the matter. Perhaps Mr Bean next year!

The New Year will bring new challenges including the delivering of policing services to an even better standard despite shrinking budgets. We are up for it and I would like to thank you all for the tremendous support that you have given my staff throughout 2010.