Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 26

POLICE, CRIME & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 26 MAY - 9 JUNE 2021

CRIME OVERVIEW There have been 273 recorded crimes over the last 2 weeks which is an increase of over 50 crimes since the last period.

This is still 272 crimes less than the equivalent period last year.

Violence against the person offences continue to be the highest crime type with the vast majority of these being recorded as assaults either with or without injury. There have been 203 ASB

calls in the last 2 weeks which continue to peak over the weekends.

Kill the Bill In March, in central Bristol during the “Kill the Bill” protest there was large scale disorder which saw the destruction of police vehicles and damage to the Bridewell Police Station. Following a lengthy investigation a number of persons have been identified from recorded footage. On Friday 29th May, eight of the first suspects were at Bristol Magistrates for their first plea hearing, most of those have been charged with riot. This is an indictable serious offence and can only be heard in Crown Court.

The defendants have been remanded to a later date for a trial by jury. Police were present around the court but no further incidents were recorded.

The investigation continues and the police have received numerous leads from the public.

Since the disorder there have been a number of peaceful protests throughout the city.

Also, there were 19 stop and searches with a total of 27 arrests during the same 2 week period.

SQUATTERS IN THE CITY CENTRE Last week the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team applied for a closure order under 2014 Anti Social Behaviour Legislation on three premises that were being used as a squat. This was as a result of significant rise in ASB, Crime and Disorder being linked to the three addresses.

The local beat team obtained a number of impact statements from local business people

describing the negative effect it had on their businesses. This order was granted on Thursday with a large operation running on Friday to ensure all address were empty and the process of securing them could start. All buildings are now empty and secure and as a result we are seeing the results of less crime, ASB and a reduction in harm being caused to the local community.

ANNIVERSARY OF COLSTON STATUE This week saw the anniversary of the pulling down of the statute of Colston in the city centre.

It was one that drew a lot of media attention to Bristol, both nationally and internationally.

It also provoked a number of differing opinions.

A year later the anniversary was recognised by a small gathering at the plinth where people debated the issues. It was colourful and at times a little noisy but passed off peacefully with various messages being chalked on the pavement.

Last week saw the opening of the exhibition at the M-Shed attracting a lot of media attention.

As well as encouraging further debate about the past and future direction of the City, Neighbourhood officers have been able to use the exhibition as a positive engagement opportunity.

NATIONAL FUNDING PROGRAMME As part of a National funding programme Avon and Somerset have received funds to provide hot spot policing to areas with the highest levels of violent crimes.

In the city centre there have been 9 different areas identified to be policed and these include Park Street, Frogmore Street, The Triangle, Water Front, Corn Street

and the Bear Pit. These locations have been identified as hot spots during the weekend and into the late evening and early morning which is in line with the demand that the night time economy brings. As a result the city centre will receive extra patrols in these areas at the key times to disrupt criminal behaviour, which will

be added resources to Operation Brio resources already in place. As a force we will be providing data on the amount of time officers have been on foot in these areas and we will share this data with you through the BID along with the crime statistics to illustrate the impact.