Speed check in Coalpit Heath

As part of the police's road safety week they carried out two speed checks on Henfield Road, between Station Road and Roundways. Twelve people were stopped and education about speeding provided.  A further five are still to be contacted and spoken to. They will be looking to target this road again in the future.

Advice on hate crime

Next Friday there will be a drop-in session for those needing advice on dealing with hate crime.

Between 10am and 1.30pm on Friday 20th October staff from South Glos Council, Avon and Somerset Police and agencies such as SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) will be in Yate Shopping Centre's West Walk. Anyone can ask questions about hate crime or hate-related incidents and get information and advice. If you can’t make this session, or for more information on hate crime including how to report it, visit: www.southglos.gov.uk/hatecrime

Ask policing questions on Facebook

Police and Crime Commission Sue Mountstevens wants local people to send her their questions ahead of the next 30-minute Facebook Live with the Chief Constable at 11am on Wednesday, 27 September.

The topics include police funding and resources, restorative justice, stalking and harassment and rape and sexual assault and the session will end by taking a selection of other submitted questions.

The webchat will be broadcast on Facebook live via the following link  www.facebook.com/AandSPCC. You can submit your questions by:

• emailing them to pcc@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
• calling 01275 816377
• via her Facebook page
• on Twitter using the hashtag #PCCinconvo

For more information see here.

Have your say on services for sexual assault victims

The Police and Crime Commissioners, the Police service and NHS England are working together to plan and buy Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services in the South West of England. SARCs are a special service where victims and survivors of rape or sexual assault can receive immediate help and support. These services will go live on 1st October 2018 and replace existing services.

If you would like to have your say on the new SARC service, you can find out more here. Ideally, they would like comments by the end of July, but they will continue to consider comments until third week in August.

Caravan crime warning

A few nights ago there was an unsuccessful attempt to steal a caravan in Ram Hill, causing damage.  The thieves then returned and tried again. Once again they were unsuccessful but caused even more damage in their attempt. A caravan was also stolen in Rangeworthy recently so it could be the same gang going around.

We suggest that neighbours be extra vigilant, noting details of any suspicious persons or vehicles - perhaps particularly those equipped with towbars, and report any suspicious activity to the police. If a crime is in progress then use the '999' system. It would also be wise to check your existing caravan and trailer security.

April Police Beat Surgery

The April Beat Surgery for the Frampton Cotterell beat (which also covers Coalpit Heath, Westerleigh and Iron Acton and the surrounding areas) will be held from 6pm to 7pm on Friday 21st April in the Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell. This is your chance to meet your local Neighbourhood Policing Team to discuss any issues or queries you may have.

The police have also issued advice on keeping your homes secure as the warmer weather arrives. They warn that it only takes a moment for a sneak thief to get into your property and steal a handbag, wallet or other portable valuables. They advise:

• Remember to make sure your door is locked by turning the key - some ‘paddle and stub’-handled doors might seem to be locked by lifting the handle, but can still be opened from outside. 
• Take the keys out of the lock of doors and windows and keep them safely out of sight.
• Fit motion sensing security lights around your property
• Keep tools locked up in a secure shed or garage
• Make sure garden furniture and wheelie bins can’t be moved to gain access to upstairs windows
• Lock up and sett the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you go out
• Hide your keys and handbag or wallet safely out of sight 
• Keep cash in the bank and jewellery and other high-value items with a specialist secure storage company
• Keep photographs and a description of items with sentimental value 

For more advice, visit the Avon and Somerset Police website. police website.

Police looking for "critical friend"

Could you be a "criticial friend" to the Police and Crime Commissioner and Avon and Somerset Constabulary on the use of police powers? If you are interested, you have until 12 April to apply to join the Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel that is being set up. For more information visit http://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/Openness/Scrutiny/Scrutiny-of-the-use-of-Police-Powers.aspx

Vandalism in Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell

A number of incidents of vandalism have occurred locally:

• At approximately 10pm on Friday March the 10th, someone damaged both wing mirrors and smashed the passenger’s side window on a car parked on The Causeway.
• Between 9pm on Friday March the 10th and 9am the following morning, someone slashed both drivers’ side tyres of a vehicle parked on Wylington Road, Frampton Cotterell. 
• Another two vehicles were damaged on Lower Chapel Lane, during the same time period, with the bodywork being keyed on one vehicle and the wing mirrors kicked off the other.
• Between 11pm on the Friday night and 7am the next morning, all four tyres of a car parked on St Saviour’s Rise were slashed. 
• A tyre was also slashed on Hither Mead at around the same time, as was another on a car parked on Fernleaze, Coalpit Heath.
• Between 10.30pm on Friday March the 10th and 6.30am the following morning, someone broke off the wing mirrors of a vehicle parked on Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell

If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact the Police on 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Upcoming police beat surgeries

The Frampton Cotterell police beat team, which also covers Coalpit Heath, Westerleigh, Iron Acton and the surrounding areas, will be holding beat surgeries at the Brockeridge Centre, Frampton Cotterell from 6pm to 7pm on the following dates:

• Wednesday 22nd March
• Friday 21st April 
• Monday 22nd May 
• Wednesday 21st June

Police warning following distraction burglary

Following on from last week's Trading Standards warning about rogue traders, this week the police have issued a warning about distraction burglaries after an incident in Yate.

At approximately 11am on Thursday February the 16th, two unknown men attended an address on Priors Lea, Yate, saying that they were there to do some work inside. They pushed a large hole in the ceiling before leaving, saying they would be return to fix it. The victim later discovered that they had stolen a box of valuables.

The Police are reminding residents to be wary of unexpected visitors. Use a door chain whenever possible, and check all other entrances are locked before opening the door. If you are unsure, don’t open the door! Genuine callers will always be prepared to return or wait while you check their credentials.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Police on 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

New text number to combat rural crime - 81819

Avon and Somerset Police have launched a new text service to help them prevent and detect rural crime.

They are asking rural communities and businesses to help them by providing information and intelligence about suspected crime in their area. The new number will allow the public to text information directly to the Rural Crime Team, who will be able to assess and action the intelligence quickly and efficiently.

The number won’t be monitored 24/7 but the team will be looking at it when they are on duty. It therefore shouldn’t be used for reporting crimes or anything which requires an immediate police attendance. In those circumstances please dial 999.

The new number is 81819, please text the police any information you believe could either help prevent or detect a crime in your area. You can still pass on information via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

You can read more about the new service on the Avon and Somerset website.

January Beat Surgeries

Next week there are two chances to meet your local Neighbourhood Policing Team to discuss any issues or queries you may have. They will be holding beat surgeries 4-5pm on Monday 23 January at the Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell and 4-5pm on Tuesday 24 January at Westerleigh Village Hall.

Police seeking information on burglaries

Police would like to hear from anyone who has information on the following incidents locally:

• At some point between midday on Wednesday January the 4th and 1.20pm on Saturday the 7th, unknown person(s) have forced entry to a residence on Medway Drive, by using a screwdriver-type object to force a rear bedroom window. 
• Between Tuesday January the 3rd and 9am on Friday the 6th, unknown person(s) have attempted to force entry to a residence on School Road, Frampton Cotterell. It appears the offender(s) have gained access to the rear of the property through an insecure side gate, where they have tried to force one of the rear patio doors. 

If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact the Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police plea for information

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information about the following incidents in our area:

• At some point between the 1st and 10th of November, a residence on St Anne’s Drive, Coalpit Heath, was burgled, when the offenders have smashed a key safe from the wall. It is not known at this time if anything has been stolen.
• Between 7 and 7.30pm on Thursday November the 10th, unknown person(s) have used items in the rear garden to smash the rear patio doors and gain entry, and have then stolen property from a residence on Lower Chapel Lane, Frampton Cotterell.

The Police recommend that residents restrict access to the rear of their properties whenever possible and lock away any tools or other items that could help a burglar get into your home.

If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact the Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The police are also asking for residents to report any suspect vehicles that appear to be checking out possible burglary targets on 101.

Police appeal for witnesses to Bonfire Night crash

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision on Westerleigh Road, Westerleigh, on Bonfire Night.

The single-vehicle collision involved a red Vauxhall Omega and was reported at about 8.50pm on Saturday 5 November. A passing motorist called the emergency services after being alerted by two young men who were waving their arms and then coming across the car on its roof. No one was in the vehicle but a man was standing nearby.

They are keen to trace anyone who was travelling along the Westerleigh Road on Saturday night between about 8.30pm and 9.30pm who may have seen a red Vauxhall Omega being driven before the crash. They would also like to hear from the two young men who were alerting approaching traffic, anyone else who stopped and anyone who may have seen a man walking along Westerleigh Road at about that time.

Anyone with any information which could help is asked to get in touch through their website, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5216246855. Alternatively ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call and you could qualify for a reward.

Walking beat surgery for Coalpit Heath

The local police beat team will be carrying out a Walking Beat Surgery in Coalpit Heath from 4pm to 6pm on Sunday 23rd October. You can find out more here.

Walking beat surgery - Frampton Cotterell

Between 5pm and 7pm on Friday 26th August, the local Neighbourhood Policing beat team will be doing a walking beat surgery in Frampton Cotterell. Feel free to stop them to discuss any issues or queries you may have.

Have your say on Police and Crime Plan

The Police and Crime Commissioner wants you to help shape the Police and Crime Plan for Avon and Somerset. Have your say online before Tuesday, August 30, 2016.

Walking beat surgery

The local beat team will be doing a walking beat surgery in Westerleigh village from 12 noon to 2pm on Sunday 24th July.

Council response to recent fatality

Police are still investigating the tragic incident where a pedestrian was fatally injured in a collision with a car near the Park Lane junction on Badminton Road just after midnight on Monday 16th May.

Following the incident, South Glos highways officers reviewed the accident record and found there had been three accidents involving slight injury since January 2013. There is an existing yellow backed ‘junction to the left’ warning sign for northbound vehicles on Badminton Road. However this was observed to be obscured by vegetation and partially faded. Streetcare have now cut back the vegetation and the sign will be replaced and supplemented by a ‘SLOW’ road marking to highlight the junction.