POLICE, CRIME & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 20 January - 3 February 2021 CRIME OVERVIEW 131 offences have been recorded over the last two weeks. Theft has reduced by 50% and public order/violence against the person offences remain at similar levels. In 2020, over the same two weeks, there were 319 crimes recorded, demonstrating the effect of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns. Although these levels are reduced compared to last year, we now have other significant demands, including Covid breaches and associated ASB. If you would like to know the
specific crime statistics for where you live please visit our new look website www.avonandsomerset. police.uk. Here, you will find
information on your local area and contact details for your local Neighbourhood team should you wish to contact them directly.
COLSTON STATUE COURT APPEARANCES Last Monday, four defendants appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court charged with criminal damage in relation to the incident involving the Colston Statue earlier this year. Police had intelligence that there could be protests or support for those appearing and so a Public Order Operation was deployed to manage the risk. As part of this deployment, we managed the Court site itself and also had officers available should wider protests be conducted in and
around the city centre. The day passed peacefully with four people being arrested for damage and/ or breaches to current covid guidelines. The next appearance is on the 8th of February which will be again supported by a Policing Operation to manage any threat or risk.
DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE CENOTAPH As reported in the media, last week a male had caused graffiti damage to the Cenotaph in the city centre. The individual responsible was also suspected of causing similar damage to the Bear Pit roundabout. Local police and the council, particularly the Ops Centre CCTV Control, worked together to review CCTV footage and identify the subject. The excellent partnership continued in searching for the
suspect in the city and after two hours, the suspect was located and officers were deployed and arrested the individual. The male was charged and successfully prosecuted in court the following day. This great working relationship between Bristol City Council and local police teams allows for an efficient response to tackling graffiti damage to the city centre and its businesses.
REDUCING CRIME A local business has reported issues with a repeat shoplifter who was subsequently arrested and charged with 11 theft offences. Unfortunately the individual has since returned to the same store to steal again. The police have requested a meeting with the store’s Regional Management Team next week to formulate an action plan to combat the issue. This could include structural changes within the shop, more cameras and staff training.
COVID BREACHES
In addition, the responsible suspect is sought for the outstanding crimes and police will look to remand that person to court. A post-conviction application will then be made for a CBO (Criminal Behaviour Order). This will allow the court to define conditions which have to be adhered to, including a complete ban from an area. A breach of this order is an arrestable offence. These orders have proved very successful in crime and ASB reduction which is a key aim of Bristol’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP).
Police have stepped up efforts to deal with persons holding house parties in breach of Covid regulations. £800 fines can now be issued to those attending parties that are attended by over 15 people and dedicated patrols are in place across the city to respond to reports received. This action is part of a wider approach that is being delivered to reduce the risk of infection rates rising so that public health harms are reduced and the city can return to normality as soon as possible. Information of any breaches of Covid regulations can be reported to the police by calling 101 and public support of this initiative is key to what can be achieved.