Update from Mark Shelford, PCC (Jul/Aug edition)
July 2nd, 2023
I hope everyone has been enjoying time outside in the sunshine and stayed safe whilst doing so during our recent spell of glorious weather.
Earlier this month, I put questions relating to knife crime and increased summer demand in police support to Chief Constable Sarah Crew at the latest Performance and Accountability Board (PAB), which livestreams every month on Facebook.
I know that the police get exceptionally busy in the summer, but local people still rightfully expect a high level of service. During PAB I asked the Chief Constable how she will ensure that officers respond in a timely way and improve on what they did last year. I also asked for an update on the week of awareness tackling knife crime – and how officers work with Violence Reduction Units to prevent knife crime. This was particularly important following the tragic death of 16-year-old Mikey Roynon from South Gloucestershire at an incident in Bath on June 10th. Two boys, one aged 15 from Dorset and another aged 16 from Wiltshire, have since been charged with possessing an offensive weapon and murder.
At the PAB we also discussed the amazing work of police volunteers, as well as rape and sexual assaults in hospitals. If you would like to listen in to the conversation, you can view our Facebook live video that was recorded and has been posted to the OPCC Facebook page.
I would like to take this time to highlight the 159 service, launched by Stop Scams UK. If you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details, I urge you to stop, hang up and call 159. This is a short-code phone service that connects people safely to their bank’s fraud prevention service.
This free phone service should be used when either you or someone you know may have provided an unknown person with your bank card or banking information over the phone, allowing you or your loved one to report financial scams as fraud may be potentially taking place. Individuals should still report any suspicious calls about financial matters to Action Fraud.
I would like to mention the work of Crime Stoppers and The South West: No Place for Drugs campaign. I urge communities to help keep drugs off our streets, by spotting the signs of this activity and reporting it to Crime Stoppers, which is 100% anonymous.
Currently, Crimestoppers is appealing to the public to speak up and report cases of property being used as a grow house or farm to cultivate cannabis.
Organised crime gangs are renting properties in both urban and rural parts of the country and setting up cannabis farms. This illegal activity often brings serious violence, victims of modern slavery, and increased risks of building fires and explosions.
If you are a landlord of either residential or commercial property, I implore you to become aware of the signs of cannabis cultivation. Rented properties can be modified with barricaded windows and doors, unsafe electricity wiring and mould and water damage from hydroponics and irrigation systems.
I urge you to learn the signs to spot for cannabis cultivation and help protect yourself and your community. For more information, please visit the Crime Stoppers website:
I would like to thank everyone for their continued contribution to keeping our communities safe and wish you all a safe and happy week.
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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