Update from Clare Moody, Police & Crime Commissioner

November was a time for awareness, reflection, and renewal. We marked Remembrance Day, a time to remember those in the armed forces who have given their lives in the line of duty, and there were some important awareness weeks: Restorative Justice (RJ) Week, Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week, and Road Safety Week. Each of these campaigns brings with it a focus on addressing harm, upholding justice, and fostering meaningful change. 

Restorative Justice Week, running from November 17 to 23, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of Restorative Justice (RJ). RJ encourages offenders to take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of their behaviour, allowing them to redeem themselves and discouraging future harm. Restorative Justice offers victims an active role in the justice process, helping to alleviate feelings of anxiety and powerlessness. In Avon and Somerset services like Resolve West play a key role in facilitating these constructive conversations. I am continually inspired by stories of success in RJ —where victims engage bravely in dialogue and offenders acknowledge their actions—fostering genuine rehabilitation and community healing. Importantly, it adds to the range of support options available for victims, so everyone can find an approach that feels right for them. 

Also, during this time, from November 18 to 24, it was Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week, an initiative to bring communities together to stand against ASB. ASB has a profoundly unsettling impact on individuals, families, and communities, and it’s an issue I frequently hear about from residents. People have shared with me how ASB affects their quality of life, —sometimes so severely that, according to YouGov research, almost 1 in 5 people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; 1 in 10 have moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB. 

One of the core commitments in my Police and Crime Plan is to address ASB through strengthened neighbourhood policing and community engagement. I am focused on providing meaningful support to those affected by ASB while working with local communities and organisations on preventative action. This includes close collaboration with neighbourhood policing teams, who play a key role in identifying ASB patterns, connecting with residents, and addressing these issues head-on. As part of this awareness week, I am encouraging anyone experiencing ASB to report it. Whether to the local police or anonymously through Crimestoppers. When people speak up, it provides evidence of the scale and locations of ASB and is essential to providing an effective response. Working with the neighbourhood policing teams, I’m committed to ensuring that those affected feel heard and supported, while also putting in place long-term measures to reduce ASB and strengthen community resilience. 

Finally, Road Safety Week also runs from November 17 to 23. This campaign from Brake UK reminds us of the impact on people’s lives behind the road accident statistics and calls for meaningful action to support road safety. On average, five people die every day on the road in the UK and 80 are seriously injured. These are not mere numbers; each represents a family forever changed by the trauma of a road accident. We not only remember those lost but stand in solidarity with every family affected. 

As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to supporting the powerful aims of each of these awareness weeks. During the month I invited everyone in Avon and Somerset to get involved, whether by sharing your story, joining an event, or supporting the efforts of organisations like Resolve West and Brake. Let us embrace these opportunities to listen, to learn, and, most importantly, to come together in making our communities safer for everyone.

Back to news