POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 22 DECEMBER 2021 – 4 JANUARY 2022
CRIME STATS Crime reported continues to drop in this period with 204 crimes reported in the last 2 weeks which is down from 284 in the last period. Overall, Park Street, College Green and Cannons Way continue to be the areas with the most crimes reported. Violence against the person and theft continues to
be the most recorded crime types with almost half of the crime reported in these categories. There have been 89 ASB incidents reported which are again down from 113 last period. Crime overall continues to rise against last years levels and ASB has reduced.
HAPPY NEW YEAR BRISTOL As we now look back upon 2021 it is apparent that it has been more demanding for the police in various ways than in 2020. As living through the pandemic has been difficult enough, usual demands on the police have resumed including the night-time economy. We have also dealt with many challenging events including the riot and sustained violence outside Bridewell Police Station last March.
In December, one of the main protagonists was given a 14-year custodial sentence following the first trial in the South West for a ‘riot’ charge since the 1831 Bristol Riots in Queen Square. The behaviour of this man was shocking and he endangered officers’ lives by his reckless behaviour through his use of what the judge called “the uncontrollable weapon of fire”.
Such a sentence brings into focus the remarkable events of that night, in addition to the unusual nature of the complex investigation which has subsequently followed. Whilst other
offenders have also been jailed for their involvement in these events, further hearings are due to be held in the new year.
ANNUAL COP SHOP Starting from the 23rd of November our annual cop shop was open to the general public to provide crime prevention advice for anyone who needed assistance or just wanted to come in and say hello. PCSO’s from Bridewell put in a team effort to run the shop over the Christmas run-up. Whilst open we had approximately 4000 members of the general public engage with us. During this time we also managed to raise a great sum of money for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. This was an excellent result especially as this was the first time that the cop shop had been open since 2019.
This year’s theme was to educate the public about the safety of their vehicles and belongings and how to prevent crime surrounding this. Chief Constable Sarah Crew and the new PCC Mark Shelford also made a visit upon which they were greatly welcomed.
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM Part of the duties of the Bridewell Neighbourhood Policing Team is engagement and partnership work with the Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital (BRI). This engagement is well received by staff and patients alike at the BRI where the local police team often attend for a variety of matters. One scheme that is regularly attended is a Safer Treatment Clinic where police officers work alongside security staff to engage with vulnerable persons with complex needs who require medical treatment but have been directed to the BRI because of issues in the past. Our police officers are recognised by staff
and patients alike and it provides another capacity to engage our communities. Another scheme our local team engage with is the Bike Register Scheme aimed at staff members. This means that staff can be reunited with their bicycle in the event it is stolen by identifying and registering their bicycle on a national level. Our Neighbourhood team actively attend the BRI and engage with staff, security and patients, as our role is to engage within the community. By engaging with the BRI, we are able to provide a positive experience for those who attend from further afield.