Ringmaster Message Passing Update The internet development team have been testing the new ISDN card which has been purchased for the new Ringmaster server. It passed diagnostics every time and they were able to use it to make calls using their testing line. Calls were successfully sent using each of the 10 ISDN lines. This however pointed to a problem on the new server and investigations are being concentrated on the hardware / software as a result. It is hoped this problem will soon be rectified and Ringmaster will then be back to full capacity and able to deliver to telephone recipients once more. In the mean time it is still only e-mail recipients that are receiving Ringmaster messages as has been the case for the past nine months. If you have a number of telephone recipient Contacts and are concerned that messages are not being received, it may be that neighbours of theirs with an email facility would temporarily be willing to receive and print out the Ringmaster messages for them until the system is fully operational again. FREE Smoke Alarm December 2009 A smoke alarm could save your life. Avon Fire & Rescue provide FREE home fire safety visits & advice, and fit FREE smoke alarms. Call: 0800 169 3999 or Visit: www.avonfire.gov.uk Contact with HQ Since the departure of Harriette Dottridge, systems have been put in place to ensure continuity in the NHW department at HQ. Vicky Bartlett, who job shared with Harriette, continues to work on Mondays and Tuesdays and will deal with any street sign applications. Vicky can be contacted on: 01275 816850. Alternatively, messages can be left on the Citizen Focus voicemail: 01275 816906. Bristol Neighbourhood Watch (Central) Neighbourhood Watch Administrator Kim Duddridge, Newfoundland Road Police Station, 83 Newfoundland Road, Bristol BS2 9LU Telephone: 0117 9529737 Mobile 07825 531152 Kim.duddridge@avonandsomerset.police.uk
Thinking About Buying a Bike for Christmas? Then please read on!!! Many Police Officers have been frustrated in the past that they have not been able to prove that items that they have seized are stolen. Victims of crime are always asked if they are able to supply the serial numbers and full details of their possessions that have been stolen. Photographs of sentimental pieces of jewellery, ornaments, paintings, antiques, bikes etc. are extremely helpful when it comes to identifying property which comes into the possession of the police. If you were the victim of crime would you be able to provide these details? For the majority of us the answer would be no! Most victims are not able to provide the police with sufficient detail to give them a fighting chance of recovering their stolen bikes. Avon and Somerset have a bike registration card scheme which they would like to encourage as many people as possible to use to record their bike details. The card should then be retained in a safe place. It also encourages people to then go on and set up a FREE account at www.immobilise.com with the same details. This site can be used to record details of any identifiable property and the police can then search the database and access the details should a match be found. If you would find it useful please contact the NHW office as we have a small amount of these available CRANIUM CAVIAR Summer Holiday Competition Winners The winners of the summer holiday competition run by the Avon and Somerset Police youth engagement website, Cranium Caviar, with prizes donated by Western Power Distribution (WPD), have today been named. Good Court Results On 24th August 2009, the police carried out a series of pro-active sweeps of problem premises including Corals on Ashley Rd. This resulted in the arrest of a male who was found in possession of a number of wraps of crack cocaine and heroin. He was charged with two counts of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply and remanded into custody. On 23rd November 2009 he pleaded guilty to the offences charged and was sentenced at Bristol County Court to 2 years imprisonment. Top prize was a Wii games console and a Wii Fit and was won by 11 year-old Cara Brown from Minehead who sent in her photo on a log flume holding up the Cranium Caviar 'brain'. Second place was 11-year-old Louie Scouvell, also from Minehead, who won a 50 Amazon Voucher Third place was 13-year-old Jayke Scott from Weston- Super-Mare who won 25 worth of Amazon vouchers The winners of the competition were also treated with a visit from WPD's safety character Pylon Man, who presented them with their prizes at the Constabulary's HQ. If you would like to find out more please call your school or youth liaison officer on 0845 456 7000 or visit www.craniumcaviar.com Cranium Caviar is a website packed full of fantastic advice for young minds. Thanks to the officer in the case, PC 3398 Reynolds. On 23rd September 2009, police officers were on pro-active patrol when they observed a male in the area of Chaplin Rd, Easton in circumstances that raised suspicions of drug supply. He was stopped and following a foot chase and an attempt to dispose of drugs was detained. A number of wraps of crack and heroin were recovered. He was charged later that day and remanded into custody. On 9th November 2009 he pleaded guilty at Bristol County Court and was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment. Thanks to the officer in the case, PC 3673 Maggs. www.mynhw.co.uk
Trading Standards Advice - WATCH OUT for Gold Diggers! As the price of gold reaches an all time high TSI is warning consumers interested in selling their jewellery to shop around amidst mounting reports of scams across the country. Selling gold jewellery to make ends meet in this recession is becoming increasingly popular but sellers are urged to beware of conmen keen to cash in on the trend. TSI s lead officer for fair trading Sylvia Rook said: There is a wide disparity in how much shops or dealers will pay for gold and I know a number of authorities are looking at this issue. Unfortunately there isn t much trading standards officers can do if people are getting a bad deal, provided the trader is not actually misleading the seller about the gold s worth. We can only urge people to shop around to make sure they are getting a fair price for their gold. Contact TSI press office on 08456089430 or pressoffice@tsi.org.uk Distraction Burglaries We ve seen a reduction in the number of distraction burglaries over the last few weeks having had a seasonal surge in October and early November. The Southmead Sector being one of the busiest sectors over the last three weeks: Here are some of the methods used; Burgling gardeners; Bristol Burgling roofers; Bristol, Wellington Burgling doorstep sellers; Bristol Bogus council official; Bristol, Little Stoke Bogus tradesman; Bristol Asking for a drink; Bristol Bogus friend ; Bristol Bogus builder; Bristol Bogus gas engineer; Patchway So far this year we ve seen a 25% increase in distraction burglaries over last year. Bristol district has suffered the biggest rise at 51%. How much cash has been stolen from the elderly in distraction burglaries during the last three weeks? 11,362.00 New Addition / Removal to your Membership Discount List Please add: Portishead Motorcare 4 The Precinct, High Street, Portishead, BS20 6AH Tel: 01275 848838 sales@portisheadmotorcare.co.uk The company is offering 10% discount on all car parts and accessories excluding Thule products on product of Neighbourhood Watch discount membership cards. Please Remove: Lloyds Flower shop, Stoke Lane, Westbury-on-Trym Useful Contact Details Police non-emergency number: 0845 456 7000 Email contact: www.forceservicecentre@avonandsomersetpolice.uk Lost property: www.reportmyloss.com Lost dogs: Bristol 0117 9222500 Mon-Fri 8am 4.30pm 07792 028235 Weekdays and out of hours till midnight. South Glos 01454 868009 Environmental Health Bristol 0117 9222050 24hrs (eg noise pollution) South Glos 01454 686001 24hrs www.mynhw.co.uk
Vice Bulletin Kerb crawler court result - St Pauls On 13th May 2009 a 74 year old male from Henleaze was seen driving a blue Toyota Yaris in Portland Square and Brunswick Square, St Pauls. When officers stopped the car to speak to the driver they saw a known sex worker sat in his car. He had been seen and warned to leave the area on two occasions earlier that night but ignored the advice and was arrested. Also a month earlier he was suspected to have been kerb crawling as he had been seen cruising in the red light area, he was spoken to by officers and signed an acceptable behaviour contract and was given a mapped area to stay away from the red light areas of Bristol however, during the trial he denied he had signed or being given anything. At court on the 13th May he stated he was parked listening to the cricket and sport on the radio. He was found guilty of kerb crawling and received fine/costs totalling 570. The court result was reported on the front page of the Evening Post. On 5th August 2009 60 year old man from Easton was seen to pick up a sex worker from Portland Square the prostitute was then seen to get out of the car in Stokes Croft. Officers spoke to the sex worker who confirmed that he had paid 15 for sexual services; she was issued with a street caution for loitering for the purpose of prostitution. The male was arrested and upon interview he denied the offence stating was just giving the female a lift due to the rain, he had been working in the area and had got food from nearby Gloucester Road and then drove to Portland Square. He denied knowing it to be a red light area and or that the female was a prostitute. He appeared at court on 19th October and was found guilty and received a fine of 140. Kerb crawler court results Eastville On 8th August 2009 a 55 year old man from Reading was driving a black Toyota when he was seen by officers to pick up a sex worker from Fishponds Road junction with Boswell St. He was arrested and upon interview stated he had picked the female up for a chat and comfort, he knew she was a prostitute and she was going to take her back to his home address, he denied that any money was discussed or changed hands and he did not know if he was going to have sex with her. He appeared at court and was found guilty and was sentenced to a conditional discharge and ordered to pay 85 costs. On 4th May 2009 was driving a gold Mercedes when he was seen to pick up a sex worker East Park junction with Fishponds Road, Eastville. He was subsequently located in a trading estate parked up with the sex worker. He was arrested and upon interview he stated he did not know that the female was a prostitute and thought that she was just being friendly. Only realised that she was a worker when cash was talked about, moments later the police turned up and he was arrested. He stated that his belt and top of trousers undone as suffers from lower back pain, and this relieves any pain. At court he was found guilty and received fine/costs totalling 315. Arrests/cautions of offenders For the months of August and September across the Eastville, Easton and St Pauls areas of Bristol a total of 71 men have been dealt with for the offence of kerb crawling and have been dealt with by way of conditional caution, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts or charge. 16 women were dealt with for loitering and have been dealt with in line with Home office guidelines receiving on street cautions. There has been a decrease in the number of complaints for on street prostitution. Vice Liaison Officers Tina Newman / Vicky Lewis Trinity Road Police Station Vice BulitinUd tem Im dionse dignit vercidunt adiam do ex etum do ex do ex adiam etum, dionse
Are you 'in the zone'? "In The Zone" is an area in Bristol comprising Redland, Cotham, Bishopston, Ashley Down and Montpelier. If you live in the zone you are more likely to suffer a burglary with 25% of victims being students. Let's face it - sometimes student houses are well, sorry to be blunt, but a bit scruffy. You don't have time to trim the hedges and sort out the bins because you are busy partying (sorry we mean studying!) Some of your landlords can also be a bit um... well half hearted in their responsibilities and perhaps don't keep things as ship shape and Bristol fashion as they could. This means that door and window locks sometimes don't work very well and there are lots of sneaky hiding places for would be burglars to hide behind in the jungle of a garden. If you are part of the majority who live in a multi-occupancy house you will be used to housemates coming and going at different times. Whilst this is great on the social side of things you might not notice another person wandering in and out except when you notice your laptop has gone! Suddenly you're faced with contacting the police; phoning your insurer (if you have insurance in the first place) and facing the prospect that you won't get all your photos, music or dissertation back. Disaster! Well don't despair. You can find loads of free home security advice on this site and keep checking the facebook page for competitions and news updates. You can also request a FREE home visit from one of our Bristol based Safer Homes Vans who will go over your gaff and make sure it's secure!
Falsely obtaining charitable donations From time to time we get reports of bogus charity collectors going door to door purportedly raising cash for one charity or another, but how do we know the money doesn t go straight into the pockets of the caller To check whether a collection is for, or on behalf of, a registered charity, contact the Charity Commission helpline on 0845 300 0213
Cabot Sector Broadmead NPT Christmas fast approaches and the first year of the revitalised Broadmead and Cabot Circus has been a marked success despite the catastrophic down turn in the world economy. Coming on stream at what looked like the worst of times there was an anticipated big hit around shop theft as more people chose to take what they couldn t afford. However the Broadmead NHPT have worked closely with the Cabot Circus Security team and those in the Mall and stores on Broadmead and have not only held the line against thieves but made some steady inroads into reducing crime. Against the swell of increased crime across the country and the hard times driving people to steal, the centre of Bristol has not only minimised the increase but turned the tide in recent months. This has been achieved by the very positive support of some key businesses and the vital input from the Broadmead board team headed up by Jo. Jo has been pivotal in bring together businesses and Police officers to make our new initiatives work. The police run several engagement opportunities for the public and businesses to raise issues which affect them in and around our local community. Like many neighbourhood areas we run a beat surgery every 4 to 6 weeks where the public can speak to us about anything they feel we could help with. Unlike other surgeries however we have taken the innovative step to hold them inside the shop premises on our area. That makes us easy to find and allows any one easy access. So if you see us please come and let us know your views. We also engage in information sharing with the security staff. Through the processes of the Data Protection Act we have all signed up to sharing information about people who are committing crime in the area. Many of the stores are linked by radio and can pass this information to each other so that offenders can be tracked through our area. We have also linked our CCTV systems. This means that in urgent situations coverage can run almost uninterrupted from one side of the beat area to the other and in most cases far beyond. These are just a couple of the initiatives run this year which is helping to tackle the crime in Broadmead and make businesses and shoppers safe. Statistics show that if you commit crime in Broadmead you have around a 4 to1 chance of being caught and prosecuted. So you have to ask yourself, Do you feel lucky? Well do you? BC197 Following an arrest of a parking pay and display maintenance engineer, officers from the Neighbourhood Police team for BC and the Financial investigation unit have charged a male with x24 offences of theft of money from parking machines. He was charged with offences dating back to 2003 to 2008 and appeared at court on 20 th October 09 and was remanded to appear at Bristol crown court in January 2010. The offences investigated were city wide and therefore required the work of the whole city centre team. BC 198 On Friday 27th November a Traffic Operation was carried out on Cumberland Road. Traffic officers stopped vehicles which lead to an arrest for drink-driving, several cautions and prosecutions for speeding were given. This was a really good result for our Beat and will be carried out sporadically throughout the following months. A burglary has occurred in the Cumberland Road area this happened at 3.00pm when several persons were around and the offender has not yet been detained. Can we please ask that people are vigilante and all your doors and windows are locked. Please report any suspicious persons or activity on 0845 456 7000.
Beat BC190 The work to combat street drinking on the beat has continued with a second day of action for Operation Breed held on 7th October. The multi-agency approach utilised Bristol City Council, The Compass Centre, The NOVAS centre and Co-Exist. The day focussed on engaging the street drinkers in a two hour wet centre session and a table tennis competition. Twenty uniformed police officers went on high-visibility foot patrol during the day to enforce their powers in relation to street-drinking. Alcohol was surrendered, prolific drinkers were dispersed and one person was arrested. The day was a success with numerous street drinkers utilising the wet centre facilities, visiting the open day at the compass centre and there was a closely fought table tennis battle at Co-Exist between our PCSO Remi Prierra and James a regular street drinker. These efforts continue of a daily basis with regular patrols by PC Jen Appleford and PC Damian Hamilton-Smith. In recent weeks there have been numerous arrests of street drinkers for public order and violent offences in the Stokes Croft and Jamaica St area. Dispersal powers are being utilised to their full potential in the area to separate and remove groups of drinkers and prevent them from returning for up to 48 hours. PC Jen Appleford took part in a voluntary training weekend at Co-Exist focussed on working with street drinkers and Damian Hamilton-Smith is working closely with the CPS to secure long-term solutions to the issues of street drinking. At the recent PACT meeting one of the priorities raised was the contravention of road traffic laws by cyclists. In response to this a police day of action was held on Saturday 21 st November. Cyclists were stopped contravening the no entry on Ninetree Hill, and red traffic lights at the Ashley rd and Arley Hill junctions. Words of advice and tickets were issued. Further days of action are planned. The parking issues on the top of the beat are being addressed on a daily basis with tickets being issued for causing obstructions and 25 letters being sent to vehicle keepers regarding their inconsiderate parking in the last two weeks. These issues will continue to be a priority until the introduction of the residents parking scheme next year which will hopefully alleviate the problem. Finally the arrest of Bristol s most wanted burglar last weekend by Damian Hamilton-Smith has had a significant impact on the number of burglaries occurring across the city and particularly in the Redland and Cotham areas. When the male was arrested he was found in possession of property from a recent burglary, he was charged with two burglaries and bailed for three more, he appeared at court on Monday and was remanded in custody. An excellent result! Beat BC191 On Saturday night the 14th of November, PC 3763 Jonathan Derrick, some colleagues and members of the Council conducted numerous licensing checks on several public houses in the area. Any premise that breached any condition was dealt with positively on the night. However, generally they were all pretty good and just goes to show that we have some good licensees working in our area. Also, we conducted checks on City Link Taxis to ensure they were adhering to their planning and licensing conditions. Taxis in the area were also checked to ensure the individual drivers were working in accordance with their regulations. All information has been collected and any breaches of license will be dealt with by the Council. This was a successful operation and has ensured that the standards of our late night working premises will remain high.