Newsletter SPRING 2017 | ISSUE 9
WHAT’S
INSIDE
MOMENTS’ 02 ‘PRECIOUS DOMESTIC ABUSE CAMPAIGN
03
TOP COP LIVE
A 05 MAKE DIFFERENCE CAN YOU HELP
06 BEAT RURAL CRIME?
NEW PLAN FOR POLICING IN AVON AND SOMERSET A new plan for policing Avon and Somerset has been launched by PCC Sue Mountstevens. The Police and Crime Plan sets out four policing priorities for the Constabulary for the next four-years. In the new Plan the highest priority is given to ‘protect the most vulnerable from harm,’ including victims of child abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse and hate crime.
welcome
Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter, where I hope to share with you what my team and I have been working on and also update you on what the year ahead has in store.
Other priorities for the PCC and the Chief Constable include ‘strengthening and improving local policing teams; ensuring Avon and Somerset Constabulary has the right people, the right equipment and the right culture; and working together effectively.
“
I am passionate about safeguarding our most vulnerable and committed to ensuring your local policing priorities are addressed..”
Work is underway on addressing the new Police and Crime Plan priorities and ensuring the police are tackling the crimes most harmful to our communities and also the issues that you’ve told me matter most to you. There’s a lot I hope to achieve as your PCC over the coming year. Most importantly of all, I want to ensure I remain your voice in policing and that your views are represented, so it’s vital I continue to hear from you. As always, I would encourage you to get in touch with me with your policing questions and concerns, visit my website, follow me on social media and signup for regular news and updates from my office.
SUE MOUNTSTEVENS Your Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC)
AVON & SOMERSET Police & Crime Plan SUPPORTING YOU TO BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
Sue said: “As PCC, it’s my job to listen to all voices particularly residents and victims and my new priorities aim to include the issues you’ve told me are most important to you. I am passionate about safeguarding our most vulnerable and committed to ensuring your local policing priorities are addressed, which can nly be achieved by working together.”
Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “By working towards the Police and Crime Plan and taking the steps to be as agile, efficient and cost effective as we can, we aim to be an outstanding force providing an effective, efficient and legitimate service that our staff, officers, volunteers and the people we serve can rely and be proud of.”
‘PRECIOUS MOMENTS’ DOMESTIC ABUSE CAMPAIGN Our new multi-agency campaign is aiming to question people’s understanding of domestic abuse and asking them to look, listen, ask and ask again. The ‘Precious Moments’ campaign challenges the perception of a ‘typical’ domestic violence victim by telling the stories of abuse against women but also towards men, the LGBT+ community and the elderly, who all remain underrepresented in the reporting of abuse. Tackling controlling or coercive behaviour, which was made a new offence in The Serious Crime Act 2015, is also a focus of the campaign. Described by a survivor as ‘domestic abuse without the bruises’, the new law has seen 59 people arrested in Avon and Somerset. Sue said: “Protecting the most vulnerable from harm is one of the priorities highlighted in my Police and Crime Plan. Domestic abuse is never the victims fault and I want victims to know that if they come forward and report to the Police they will be believed and taken seriously.
“
Protecting the most vulnerable from harm is one of the priorities highlighted in my Police and Crime Plan.”
“There are no excuses for domestic abuse and no one has the right to control or abuse another person either physically or mentally. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and I hope this campaign makes the Police, our partners and our local communities’ look, listen, ask and ask again to take us one step further in our battle against domestic abuse.”
i
For further information and support visit thisisnotanexcuse.org Anyone wishing to report abuse can call the police on 999, 101 or visit avonandsomerset.police.uk
COMMISSIONER’S COMMUNITY ACTION FUND RE-OPENS Voluntary organisations and community groups can once again apply for grants of up to £3,000 for initiatives that support the Police and Crime Plan priorities and enable communities to come together to tackle issues in their local area. The Commissioner’s Community Action Fund was originally established in May 2013 and has awarded nearly £600,000 to the local communities of Avon and Somerset. The fund temporarily closed pending the publication of the Police and Crime Plan. Sue said: “I welcome applications and look forward to seeing and hearing about all the things you do for your community, in your local area. By working together we can continue to make improvements and drive the change needed in helping the communities of Avon and Somerset be safe and feel safe.”
Sue with members of St Peter’s Church Job Club
For more information about the Community Action Fund, the Police and Crime Plan priorities and to apply visit avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk
TOP COP LIVE Residents can now put their policing questions direct to the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police as part of the PCC’s bi-monthly Facebook live videos.
“
The webchat is an extension of our openness and accountability to residents and we welcome your honesty and variety of questions.”
The PCC and Chief Constable have hosted four online live video sessions to date and have discussed a range of topics including hate crime, recruitment, mental health, domestic abuse, modern slavery, police stations, body worn video, fraud, rural crime and tasers. Sue said: “It is really important that I make myself and the Chief Constable as accessible to residents as possible. The webchat is an extension of our openness and accountability to residents and we welcome your honesty and variety of questions.” The next live webchat will take place on May 3 at 2pm and will be broadcast on Facebook live at facebook.com/AandSPCC
JOIN US FOR THE NEXT HQ OPEN DAY On October 1 we will be joining the police and other partners for an Emergency Services Open Day at Police HQ in Portishead. The event will see residents from across Avon and Somerset invited to the fun-filled day, where they can find out more about their emergency services and gain a better insight into what we do.
PCC POLICE PUBLIC FORUMS ARE BACK! PCC Sue Mountstevens and Chief Constable Andy Marsh have once again begun travelling the Avon and Somerset force area hosting PCC Police Public Forums.
HERE FOR YOU
The majority of victims are female
87%
In Avon and Somerset an average of three reports of rape are 15% of these aged received each day, 16 and under and our recent week but in Avon and Somerset long campaign we have seen a focussed on reminding people that sexual assault and violence INCREASE is unacceptable in male victims since 2014. - whoever you 21% of these aged are, whatever the circumstances. 16 and under
38%
PCC PRIDE AWARDS Do you have a silent star in your local community, who goes above and beyond what’s expected of them to keep you and your local area safe?
Residents are invited to the sessions to hear about policing in their local area and ask questions of their PCC, Chief Constable and local neighbourhood policing team. The next forum is taking place on May 10 in North Somerset.
If so, why not nominate them for a PCC Pride Awards and they could be recognised at our next awards ceremony on April 18. To nominate someone visit avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk
RECOGNISING YOUR POLICING HEROES Thank you for sending us your nominations for your policing heroes. The Be Proud Awards aim to highlight the very best of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, acknowledging and rewarding our dedicated officers, staff and volunteers for all their hard work in ensuring the communities of Avon and Somerset are safe and feel safe.
“
We’ve had over 200 nominations highlighting the outstanding work”
We’ve had over 200 nominations highlighting the outstanding work of neighbourhood officers, response officers, special constables, investigative officers, police support volunteers, members of staff and policing teams. Sue said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to nominate. It means so much to know that local people want to recognise those who work hard to ensure our local communities are safe and feel safe.”
COMMUNITY STARTS WITH HELLO We can all make a difference by just saying hello and keeping an eye on people in our community. Not only will it reduce loneliness but it can reduce the likelihood of people becoming victims of crime. In the UK, one in 12 will be over 80 years old by 2039 and in Avon and Somerset the population growth for the 75 year old age group is projected to increase by 40% by 2025.
51% Over half (51%) of people aged 75 and over live alone. Sue said: “Anna, my Custody Visiting and voluntary sector officer, in her spare time volunteers with the Age UK befriending scheme. Anna has been volunteering with the scheme in Bristol for almost eight years and in that time has made a very special friendship with a lady called Margaret. Anna spends a couple of hours every week visiting Margaret, but both Anna and Margaret express the invaluable difference it makes having each other in their lives. I would encourage you to read their heart-warming story on my website.” Older people can be vulnerable to cons and fraud, doorstep crime, distraction burglary and online/ telephone scams. But if they have someone nearby they can trust they might be more likely to question something, perhaps saving themselves from a financial con.
An awards ceremony, recognising this year’s winners, will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Cadbury House Hotel, Congresbury. To keep updated with the latest from the Be Proud Awards visit beproudawards.com These awards are only possible thanks to the support of our proud partners The Bristol Post, Double Tree Hilton Cadbury Hotel, Unison, BT, Nomura Asset Management, SEA, Deloitte and Securitas.
THE PCC NEEDS YOUR HELP TO MONITOR POLICE POWERS Local people from a diverse range of backgrounds who have an interest in policing are needed to help PCC Sue Mountstevens monitor the use of police powers. The new Scrutiny of Police Powers panel will help look at the use of Taser, stop and search, body worn video and the use of force by the police. Volunteers from across Avon and Somerset are invited to apply. The PCC is keen to ensure the panel represents the diverse communities of the area.
A PENNY A DAY Sue Mountstevens’ proposals to rise the policing part of the council tax by less than 1p a day has been approved by the area’s police and crime panel. The proposed increase of
1.99%
Sue said: “My vision for this new panel is to invite people in to monitor how the police are using their discretionary powers and ensure they are using them proportionately and fairly. We all have a right to be treated equally and with respect and this is no different when it comes to interactions with the police. I also hope the panel will give local people a better understanding of police powers and when and why they are used.”
“ My son has been
stopped and searched, he was embarrassed and he felt harassed. I’ve joined a panel with other local people to monitor how the police use their powers”
Make a Difference
For more information visit avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk
Police and Crime Commissioner
Sue Mountstevens
Help independently monitor the use of stop and search, Taser, body worn video and force by the police. Find out more at avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk or call 01275 816377 @aandspcc
aandspcc
MAKE A DIFFERENCE Encouraging a greater diversity of candidates for directly elected roles is the vision behind a new scheme inviting local people to follow Sue Mountstevens in her role as PCC.
Sue said: “People should not be deterred from standing for elected roles because of their gender, race, religion, sexual preferences or disability. If you love where you live and strive to represent the views of your local community, I believe this is all you need to make a difference.
“
in the policing part of the council tax is equivalent to an extra
£3.55
“I want to give people the opportunity to explore public life specifically policing and criminal justice matters by shadowing me in my role. Elected people should be like the people they serve and at the 2020 election I aspire to see Police and Crime Commissioner candidates from all diverse backgrounds”
a year for the average Band D property.
Police and Crime Commissioner
As one of only seven women Police and Crime Commissioner’s I am familiar with the challenges associated with running for a senior elected position.”
Sue Mountstevens
Make a Difference Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens is offering the opportunity for people aged 18 and over to gain an insight into her role by shadowing her. Find out more at avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk or call 01275 816 377
This means from April 2017 the average band D household will pay
£181.81 for policing.
@aandspcc
aandspcc
The new scheme is open to all but it is hoped that under-represented groups – women, BME, LGBT and disability – will consider applying to ensure greater representation from across the communities of Avon and Somerset.
“It’s these building blocks, which in my opinion, underpin our future leaders who can influence the change needed to better our communities. I hope more people will feel empowered to find out more about other elected positions and even consider becoming the next Police and Crime Commissioner.” Find out more about the opportunity by visiting avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk
DON’T BARE THEN SHARE Many young people see sexting as a normal part of life but it is against the law and can have unintended consequences, so we are highlighting the potential pitfalls of sharing indecent images with the call to action of ‘Don’t bare then share’. Sexting is the sharing of indecent images, videos or other sexual content and it is a growing issue; a recent survey by the NSPCC shows around 1 in 7 young people have taken a semi-naked or naked picture of themselves and over half shared this with someone else.
It is often considered harmless but can lead to children being exploited, bullied and blackmailed. Sue said: “We’re fortunate to live in a time when our young people have the world at their fingertips, thanks to mobile technology and the internet. This digital age offers huge positive potential, but unfortunately it can lead to instances where young people share sexual images which often they later regret. “We all have a responsibility to safeguard our young people. By educating them on the unintended consequences of their actions, we can hopefully ensure they have a better understanding and are safer when online.” ‘Don’t bare then share’ is a story about the loss of control after a nude selfie is taken and shared. It exclusively launched on Snapchat to reach young people and has been rolled out on other channels to inform parents about the issues and signpost to advice.
CAN YOU HELP BEAT RURAL CRIME? NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES WITH CRIMESTOPPERS Avon and Somerset Police have teamed up with the independent charity Crimestoppers with the aim of encouraging people to provide information in the fight against livestock theft. Inspector Jo Mines, who currently leads the Rural Crime Team, said: “We are asking rural communities to help us by providing information and intelligence about suspected crime in their area. We know not everyone is comfortable having contact with the police, but in that instance please do get in touch with Crimestoppers if you have information that can help.”
01275 816 377 |
@aandspcc |
aandspcc
pcc@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk |
avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk
contact me
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Valley Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8JJ