Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 3

POLICE, CRIME & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 8 - 22 JUNE 2020 POLICING PROTESTS Recent protests have drawn questions about the way such events are policed. For any planned demonstrations, available information is assessed to shape the policing response and involve partners including the Council.

The event can be left for organisers to manage, be monitored by local officers only or require a full HQ-led policing operation. Those operations will take account of likely numbers attending and risk of disorder. Policing objectives

will be set and a plan agreed to achieve them. The City Centre Policing Teams play a key role in both the planning and events on the day as their local knowledge, experience and contacts can be vital to how we manage events on the day. Some see Bristol as being Britain’s ‘second city’ for protests and it seems likely that further events will be held through the summer. By sharing information about these events we hope that any disruption is minimised.

OVERVIEW OF CRIME DATA Over the last 2 weeks there have been 68 crimes recorded across the area. This is a slight reduction since the last period, however this is expected to increase due to nonessential shops reopening. There is 1 burglary recorded but a male has

been identified and arrested for the offence. He attended court on 16th June and was remanded into prison until a trial date is set.

Public Order offences have reduced from 19 to 6 crimes,

68 recorded crimes in the last 14 days largely due to 5 out of our 6 offenders with Criminal Behaviour Orders being in prison at this time. The 6th person with a CBO is staying out of the area at this time. Violence against the person offences remain at similar levels to previous periods. There are no patterns of offending at this time and the offences are split across the geographical area.

REOPENING OF BROADMEAD 30,000 people visited the shopping quarter after the reopening On Monday 15th June nonessential shops reopened in the shopping quarter with approximately 30,000 people visiting. The shops have seen a steady amount of visitors each day which is expected to increase over time. The local beat team changed their shifts on several occasions this week, with some coming in on their days off

to provide continued public reassurance and engagement during this period. The reopening of the shops has gone well so far from a police perspective with no real issues identified.

We actively encourage retailers to engage with this to prevent offences within their stores.

We will continue to work closely with businesses to ensure the area is as safe as possible for people to visit.

MEET OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER During my police career, I have worked in a variety of roles but have been a Neighbourhood Beat Manager for the past 11 years in South Bristol.

I am PC Gareth Ayers and have joined the City Centre neighbourhood team as the dedicated Bristol City Centre BID officer.

My role is to complement the existing team and to strive towards improved outcomes for the BID levy payers in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Due to the queuing systems in place, it is a good opportunity for retailers to be in a position to refuse entry to people who have previously committed theft, and other issues in their shops.

The job of a Beat Manager is to manage some of the more lengthy protracted issues which affect both the police and community and to be the recognisable uniform face for the public. This may be with the use of problem solving plans, dedicated patrols and targeted intelligence led enforcement.

I am joining in extraordinary times and am aware that we all face a challenging return to normality. I thrive in a forward facing role and with experience from partnership working, I feel that I can create an effective liaison to the benefit of all stakeholders.

STREET BEGGING Street begging has been an ongoing issue in the City over recent years. The Streetwise partnership brings the police and council together to work with other key partners to support on issues including housing, employment, physical and mental health and drug or alcohol misuse. As the city reopens, post-coronavirus restrictions, we are revising our approach to the very small number of individuals who persistently offend and have refused to engage in the support networks available. By using Community Protection Warnings and Notices (CPW/Ns) the police will be able to deal more effectively with individuals who are causing persistent problems to businesses.

This will be a higher-end intervention and doesn’t change our commitment to supporting the vulnerable.