Issue - meetings

Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher from Avon and Somerset Police will report and take public questions on local policing matters.

The Chair of the Forum, Cllr Goodman, welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher to update the Forum on local policing matters.

Chief Inspector Thatcher updated as follows:

• The “face- to-face” police enquiry desk in the city centre has relocated from Manvers Street to the B&NES Council One Stop Shop, from the end of January 2016. Operational duties have now been relocated to offices at Redbridge House on the Lower Bristol Road. It is important to get the message out to people in the city so people are aware of the new arrangements.
• Bath is a safe place to live and crime numbers are low. There have however been a small number of recent crimes that  have been of particular concern, including:
  • Two sexual assaults in the city and reports of indecent exposure.
  • A pattern of dwelling burglaries in the Twerton area. An individual has been arrested.

Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher then responded to questions as follows:

Question 1 - Cllr Norton - What have been the challenges in moving away from the Police Station based in the city centre?

Response - There have been adjustments but operationally things are working well. It is important to remain an active and visible presence in the city centre.

Question 2 - Cllr McGall - Where there have been pressures on the Police budget, what is the current position with regard to PCSOs on the ground.

Response - There is a commitment to maintain neighbourhood policing and daily prioritisation of officer deployments takes place depending on circumstances and demands.

Question 3 - Cllr Patterson - Can problems associated with multiple use of the canal towpath to the east of Bath could be addressed, in particular the conflict between cyclists and pedestrians. Would be possible to patrol the towpath?

Response - Working relationships are now well established in this area and regular patrols are carried out. There are times when other operational requirements will mean patrols do not occur every day.

Question 4 - Cllr Rayment - Why are we seeing a reduction of 17% in police numbers in Avon and Somerset when London has seen the reduction at 5-6%?

Response - Staffing across the force area has reduced by 600 people and there have been a number of Police officers leaving within that number. There has been a recent drive from the force in recruiting new officers.

Question 5 - Cllr Darey - What support is given to the victims of crime, particularly the types of crime with the Chief Inspector had highlighted earlier?

Response - The Lighthouse Team provides dedicated support to victims of crime and is located at the Keynsham Police site. This is an innovative service which provides a wide range of help and support including access to specialist services for victims of serious crime.

Question 6 - Cllr Player - What is your definition of a “regular patrol” in the outer wards in Bath as well as the city centre?

Response –The Police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1