POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI - SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE
ISSUE 88: 16 MAY – 12 JUNE 2024
CRIME STATS
Over the last month, there has been a decrease in reported crime, from 696 to 679. Cases of theft have decreased from 262 to 228, with violence against the person increasing from 167 to 205. There has also
been a decrease in cases of burglary, public order offences, and robbery. As always, the police encourage everyone to report any criminal activity witnessed.
COMBATTING KNIFE CRIME
From 13 – 19 May, Bridewell Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) took part in Operation Spectre, a national week of action to intensify efforts to combat knife crime. During this week of action, officers engaged in activities throughout the city aimed at knife crime prevention, disruption, and enforcement.
Officers carried out education sessions with local schools, colleges, and youth groups to highlight the dangers of carrying a knife. One session involved over 250 year 10 pupils at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School.
Officers conducted numerous knife sweeps in local parks and open spaces throughout the week, including areas where intelligence had indicated weapons were being stored or hidden.
The NPT operated pop-up information stands around the city to increase awareness and understanding of knife crime within our
AN UPDATE ON WATER SAFETY
With numerous events located around the harbourside in the coming months important to highlight the dangers of the harbour water. Water-related incidents are a prevalent issue in the city, where the water poses some hidden dangers, including underwater currents and overhangs, causing danger to anyone who enters.
Below are some top tips and water safety warnings from Avon and Somerset Police
Top water safety tips:
community. Officers were also out promoting the use of weapon surrender bins across the region to remove knives from circulation.
In May, a new bleed kit was installed in Castle Park following a request from the community. Over 150 bleed kits are now in place across Avon and Somerset.
Hidden dangers of the water:
• If you fall in the water, float to live. Stretch out your arms and legs and lie back in the water. Control your breathing, and once it is under control, call for help.
• Don’t drink and drown. Avoid entering the water if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Give waterways a wide berth, and avoid walking, running or cycling too close to the water’s edge, particularly when it is dark.
• If you see someone in trouble in the water, call 999. Do not enter the water after the person. Instead, offer help from a safe distance away from the edge, such as throwing them a throwline or life aid. You can also tell that person to ‘float to live’.
The water may look calm, but many factors can cause you harm beneath the surface.
• Even in the height of summer, the waters in England remain cold enough to induce cold water shock, the body’s involuntary response to being suddenly immersed in cold water. It can cause you to gasp for breath, inhale water, cause panic, and can lead to drowning.
• Hidden currents can make it difficult to swim back to shore, even for the strongest swimmers.
• Water conditions can change quickly. Weather can cause the ground to become unstable or increase water currents which can be fatal.
