Police News July 2016

Latest news from across and

“I can’t put it into words exactly how devastating it is to not have her here anymore.” Last year, 436 people were convicted for drink-drive related offences, with the actions of one of those people changing another family’s lives forever. Read more and find out about the launch of our new road safety campaign at www.seeme.org.uk

Are you one of the millions that have watched clever police pup PD Monty and dog handler PC Steve Hopwood take on the #22PushUpChallenge? In this now viral video campaign, the pair are seen doing push ups together in a bid to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and highlight rates of suicide amongst men. 30% of police time is estimated to be spent dealing with issues around mental ill health, so we’re backing the campaign to raise awareness and help those affected. Follow us on Facebook for more videos and updates - just search for Avon and Somerset Police.

You may be aware from recent news reports that since the EU referendum, police forces across the country have recorded a rise in the number of people reporting incidents of hate crime. In Avon and Somerset, Chief Constable Andy Marsh and Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens have written an open letter to all communities outlining our ongoing commitment to tackling any form of hate crime and reinforce our message that we value the rich, multi-cultural diversity of the places we all live and work. In March we launched a campaign to encourage anyone who has witnessed or been victim to a hate crime to contact someone to report it. For more information visit our website. Further advice about reporting a hate crime is also available at www.report-it.org.uk.

What’s happening in your area

You might have already seen in the media, that we 30 of those people have been remanded to prison have been proactively tackling drug dealing issues having pleaded guilty to a variety of drug supply across Somerset. Most recently we ran three days of offences. The remaining 28 people will be in court action across the county and made a total of 67 next month. arrests following 38 search warrants including one in These days of action are additional to the long- Cheddar. Significant amount of drugs, cash and weapons were seized. At the time of writing, 39 running, proactive work we have been undertaking in people have been charged and all but one, who is . The Beat Team have made over 24 arrests for drug supply offences in the last five months and attending Youth Court in August, have been to court.

Avon and Somerset Working together to make the communities of Avon and Somerset be safe and feel safe www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

have helped to protect vulnerable people whose Sgt Edwards said: “No one should have to put up with homes were being used by out-of-town dealers. We anti-social behaviour. We understand it can have a will continue to work with our partners to deal with real impact on the quality of life, not only for the problem and protect the vulnerable members of individuals but for the wider community. There is the Sedgemoor community. advice on our website about who can help with different types of ASB, and there is a diary which If you have information about suspected drug crime people can download if they are suffering from on- or you are suffering from related anti-social going ASB at home. Please report it to us, or our behaviour, then please either call us or Crimestoppers partners. We want to help.” on 0800 555 111. There have been a number of rural burglaries in We have continued to work with our partners and Sedgemoor particularly along the A38 and the local community in Cheddar to tackle anti-social surrounding villages. Thieves are breaking into houses and dangerous driving in the area. We launched the and stealing jewellery, cash and small electrical items Community Plan in May, and distributed information such as ipads. The local team are working with our leaflets to residents in conjunction with the Parish force-wide intelligence departments to identify Council. We also attended a multi-agency meeting offenders, and have increased patrols in the area. For where we were able to update our partners that the advice on the simple steps you can take to protect number of calls we have received about the issue has your property, please visit our website. fallen in comparison to last year. We continue high- visibility patrols and operations with our Roads Get involved Policing Unit and , and have recently seized vehicles and dealt with drivers for a Come and have your say! We are holding a Partners variety of offences including driving without due care, and Communities Together (PACT) meeting on the 9 no insurance and other mechanical defects. August at 7pm at The Recreation Centre, Rhode Lane in Bridgwater. Members of the local Beat Team and We traditionally see a rise in some types of anti- representative from Sedgemoor Council and other social behaviour during the summer months. Sadly agencies will be attending to problem-solve any issues alcohol usually plays a large part in this. However, we raised by the community. continue to work closely with the holiday parks, bars and pubs in Burnham and , and we will be We will also hopefully be holding an online meeting at carrying out activities to deter any bad behaviour the same time for anyone unable to attend the including drug testing people as a condition of entry physical meeting. We hope this will attract a new and enforcing the No Drinking Zones around the area. audience and will make it easier for our communities to get involved and have their say. We will put details Sgt Ryan Edwards and the Bridgwater Beat Team on our website and in the local press. have been tackling issues of street-drinking in the Town Centre recently. They used new power under

Anti-Social Behaviour legislation, to deal with a local Let us know what you think about our first man after repeated incidents of street drinking, edition of Police News – give your feedback at swearing, intimidating behaviour and urinating in the www.surveymonkey.com/r/policenews street. He was arrested and given a Community Behaviour Order, with strict conditions outlining For more news updates from your local area visit restrictions on his behaviour. www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/localpages

Find crime statistics and advice at www.police.uk

Avon and Somerset Constabulary Working together to make the communities of Avon and Somerset be safe and feel safe www.avonandsomerset.police.uk