Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 23

POLICE, CRIME & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE April 2021 CRIME OVERVIEW

Crime in the city centre is 50% less than in April 2020. There have been 159 reported offences with 84 taking place in the Old City, 41 in Harbourside and Hotwells, and 34 in Broadmead. 36 of these have been recorded as Violence

Against the Person offences (VAP) and includes assaults on police, attributed to previous protests, as well as the growth in footfall due the recent relaxing of the Covid-19 guidelines.

SUPPORTING THE REOPENING As the nation progresses through the government’s reopening roadmap, the increased footfall has brought challenges for the police and local city centre businesses. Bristol City Centre BID, Broadmead BID and the police are continuing their work with council representatives and key stakeholders to alleviate these challenges with planned responses. Part of this work includes the allocation of local

police resource to the Night Time Economy Operation (Op Brio), which will be adapted to meet the needs and demands of Night Time Economy businesses as they continue to face increased reopening challenges, as well as keeping the public safe. This also includes reallocating wider force resources in the city to support local officers as more people return.

There have been 5 reported bicycle thefts – the locations are shown on the map above. There have also been 129 ASB incidents reported at peak times between 5pm and 10pm.

THE INCREASE IN ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR The surrounding area outside of the Arnolfini has become a hot spot for anti-social behaviour as the weather improves and more people return to hospitality businesses. Recent data attributes this increase to recent changes in restrictions and the sudden growth in footfall. The BCRP teams are working together to review the affected area with a focus on how the space can be

used to disrupt its large numbers of visitors. This includes a patrol plan to conduct high visibility patrols supported by a Section 35 Dispersal Order which can be issued when required. Increased police resources, including mounted officers, support groups and Operation Hydrogen Officers, will patrol the area and engage with the public to ensure Covid-19 restriction compliance.

To report anti-social behaviour, please click here to contact the Bristol City Centre BID Police Officer.

POLICE TEAM UPDATES The Central Beat Team have seen a significant change in resource as they welcome a new cohort of PCSOs to maximise community patrol and engage with the public. They will be out on the streets in due course to meet local community members and introduce their work.

TACKLING KNIFE CRIME City Centre Beat Managers have been involved in the national Week of Action Operation Sceptre tackling the issue of knife crime.

Due to a rise in knife-based crimes and robberies in Millennium Square and the Amphitheatre area, officers were deployed both covertly and overtly. As a result of these patrols, officers identified a group of males believed to be involved in these knife-based crimes and after a foot-chase the males were detained and stop

searched. Two kitchen knives were located on one of the males and he was arrested for possession of bladed articles. Following the arrest, intelligence gathering was carried out on the male’s phone and we are now investigating his involvement in other recent crimes in the area. Our resources continue to be increased in the city centre, both for reassurance and to robustly challenge those involved in knife crime.

To see the new PCSOs in your area, click here to visit the website.

The team also welcome new Chief Inspector, Rob Cheeseman, who will continue work with Bristol City Centre BID, Broadmead BID and local city centre businesses to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.