Update from Mark Shelford PCC Aug/Sept 2023 edition
August 3rd, 2023
In the summer, Chief Constable Sarah Crew made an announcement regarding institutional racism in Avon and Somerset Police.
This is a challenging issue to face. However, through initiating and continuing these uncomfortable and difficult conversations, the Chief Constable is demonstrating openness, courage and willingness to be held accountable by the communities that she and our police officers and staff serve. I have let the Chief Constable know I support her and have full confidence in her leadership.
Culture change is not something that happens overnight; it takes a minimum of five to 10 years and involves looking at many areas within the service. This includes improving our vetting and selection processes, retention, and progression of staff, how police complaints are handled and, crucially, the training given to the workforce within the wider police family.
We recently discussed the issue of institutional racism in July’s Performance and Accountability Board. The meeting, which was broadcast live, allowed me to ask the Chief Constable how she intends to improve police conduct and standards. You can watch the discussion on my website: www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk
Next, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the devastating effects of courier fraud. This type of fraud occurs when fraudsters contact victims by telephone pretending to be a police officer or bank official. Victims are asked to cooperate in an ‘investigation’ by attending their bank and withdrawing money or foreign currency from an exchange or purchasing an expensive item to hand over to a courier for examination who will also be a fraudster.
At the time of handover, unsuspecting victims are promised the money they’ve handed over will be reimbursed but, in reality, there is no further contact and the money is never seen again.
Recent data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau shows that individuals aged 70 or older lost over £12.6 million to courier fraud last year. I urge family members to be vigilant and educate their loved ones about the risks, including unexpected phone calls, couriers, and visitors. Remember, banks and police will never send couriers to collect cash or personal information. If targeted, report to Action Fraud and your bank.
Finally, Avon and Somerset Police joined all five police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners in the South West and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) as part of the region’s ongoing work to target and disrupt organised crime groups harming our communities through drug supply.
Thanks to the action taken, Avon and Somerset Police is the top out of all forces for the number of operations focused on drug supply disruptions, and all five police services in our region are in the top 10 and have been for the past two years.
In Avon and Somerset, officers recently seized over three million pounds worth of cannabis and arrested 20 people in relation to crimes linked to the illegal cultivation of the plant.
This operation continues to go from strength to strength. We collectively continue to make our communities safer by targeting the criminals bringing drugs and violence to our region as well as protecting the vulnerable they seek to exploit as workers or as users of the drugs they supply.
Taking a regional approach really does make a difference; so much so, that the number of county lines in our region is decreasing as criminals are having to change the way they operate.
The message is clear, the South West is no place for drugs or drug dealers.
www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk 01278 646188
Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Avon & Somerset Police HQ, Valley Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8JJ
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