POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE
19 JANUARY – 1 FEBRUARY 2023
CRIME STATS
Over the past two weeks reported crime has increased from 252 to 272 for this period Theft has increased slightly, however this highlights that more theft related crime has been reported.
On the other hand, arson and criminal damage has decreased alongside drug offences, and possession of weapons. As always, the police would like to encourage everyone to report any criminal activity in and around Bristol.
COMEDY ON THE COBBLES SUCCESS
The month-long Belly Laughs event has once again been hosting popular comedy nights at venues all over Bristol during January.
The recent ‘Comedy on the Cobbles’ event on 16th January in partnership with Bristol City Centre BID saw comedians rotating between a wide number of participating venues on Kings Street and Welsh Back.
Three PCSOs (Jon Farmer, Nat Naylor and Krimo Baali) conducted foot patrol around the area, ensuring important engagement was made with the public as well as venue staff. The officers’ reassuring presence was noted by the venue staff who were happy to invite them
inside for some brief warmth from the winter cold and some chuckles listening to the comedians, before heading back on patrol in this area of the city centre.
Officers had a great time at the event and their presence was greatly appreciated by the event hosts for being a friendly face in the locality to help guide and maintain visitor’s behaviour, which was not an issue whatsoever with everyone in good spirits.
Neighbourhood Police Team Officers are eager to reattend similar events in the future and utilise such varied opportunities to engage with the local community.
PROJECT SERVATOR
Project Servator is the name given to unpredictable, highly visible police deployments carried out by Avon and Somerset Police and other police forces designed to disrupt a wide range of criminal activity. The tactics aim to identify and disrupt hostile reconnaissance – the information gathering a criminal does when planning to commit a criminal act, including terrorist attacks. Our officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance or preparing to commit a crime. They work with security staff to look out for those signs and take action.
What you will see?
Specially trained uniformed officers will turn up unannounced at various locations to carry out deployments. These will be unpredictable, so they could happen at any time and last for different amounts of time. The officers will be supported by other assets and security measures – some you will be able to see and some you will not – such as plain-clothed officers, police dogs and horses, armed officers, CCTV operators, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and police drones. Vehicle checkpoints are also often carried out. As part of the deployments, officers will hand out leaflets explaining what Project Servator is, while you may also see posters on display.
When will you see it?
Over the coming couple of months there will be some awareness activity in and around Cabot Circus and Broadmead, telling members of the public, shop staff and anyone that will listen all about this project then moving forward you will see the full swing of it led by PS Sean Underwood and PS Michael Friis from Bridewell Police Station. If anyone wants to know more or is interested in this further please see the Avon and Somerset website or google it, as there are national projects taking place. Any shops or communities that want to hear more please don’t be afraid to contact PS Underwood who will gladly discuss it with you.
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR ORDER (CBO)
In January, in partnership with the Street Intervention Service, the Police put together an application to vary a criminal behaviour order (CBO) for a male called Mr Stephen Brooks
Bristol Magistrates Court previously granted a CBO in 2021 to address the persistent shoplifting by Mr Brooks at The OneStop Store on Queen Charlotte Street. In recent months reports have described Mr Brooks setting up camp in Trenchard Street Car Park and being abusive to members of the public as
well as professionals seeking to support him. Mr Brooks was also reported to be stealing items from two local Greggs Stores in the City Centre and threatening staff.
The application to for the CBO was granted on 19/01/23 by Bristol Magistrates and the conditions have been added to prevent him from attending the Greggs stores and Trenchard Street Car Park. Detailed requirements have also been added to encourage Mr Brooks to engage with the support that he is being offered.
SIX -YEAR-OLD INJURED IN TRAFFIC COLLISION
A man has appeared in court after a road traffic collision in which a child was seriously injured.
A 21-year-old man appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Monday 30 January after being charged with four offences in connection with a road traffic collision in the city centre which left a six-year-old boy seriously injured.
Ellis Smith, of Kingsmead Road, Bristol, was charged with:
• Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
• Failing to stop at the scene of a collision
• Committing an act/ series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice
• Using a motor vehicle on the road without third party insurance
Following arrest and interview and being charged, Smith remained in police custody pending his appearance before magistrates. The collision happened on Wade Street, Bristol
nearby to Cabot Circus at about 6pm on Saturday 28 January near the junctions with Wellington Road and River Street.
It’s believed a rider and pillion passenger, both wearing helmets, were on a motorbike. Alarmingly, the motorbike did not stop after the collision and sped off from the location.
As a result of the incident, Wade Street was closed for a period between the A420 Lawfords Gate and the A4032 Newfoundland Circus while collision investigators examined the scene and initial enquiries were carried out. A thorough investigation followed involving Criminal Investigations Department. Many hours of CCTV also needed to be reviewed
The six-year-old boy is currently in hospital but is now in a stable condition. His next of kin are being supported by specially-trained family liaison officers and are thoughts are with him and his family at this difficult time (248).
