The South Glos Post

South Gloucestershire Police hope Halloween will hold no horrors for local people this year.

Officers have worked with schools, shops, the community and council to try to ensure people who want to celebrate the festival can do so safely, without causing problems for those who don’t.

South Gloucestershire Police District Superintendent Steve Jeffries said: “Traditionally, October 31 has been one of the busiest nights of the year for police across the country, with the potential for ‘trick or treating’ getting out of hand and leading to anti-social behaviour, damage and nuisance.

“Over the past few years we have been working hard with the council and other partners to try to tackle these problems as part of Operation Relentless, and we hope that this year we will continue to see a reduction in complaints about nuisance.”

Neighbourhood PCs and Police Community Support Officers across South Gloucestershire have visited schools and youth groups to give young people advice on staying safe and keeping out of trouble while trick or treating.

Local shops have agreed not to sell eggs and flour to children.

Neighbourhood Teams have also given vulnerable residents posters to display at home telling callers ‘sorry, no trick or treat here’.

Supt Jeffries said: “What may seem like harmless fun to one person can be distressing and frightening for the more vulnerable people in our communities. We want young people to have fun, but they must realise they will have to take responsibility for their actions if they go too far.”

He added that parents should ensure their children’s safety by:

• Supervising younger children to make sure they don’t call on strangers
• Knowing where teenagers are going and with whom
• Making sure their children won’t call on anyone with a ‘sorry no trick or treat’ poster on display

On the night, police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables will be out on highly visible patrols on foot, bicycle and in vehicles responding to any reports of anti-social behaviour.

Officers have powers to confiscate eggs, flour and alcohol from children and to bar anyone aged 16 or over from specific areas for up to 48 hours to prevent alcohol-related crime and disorder.

Anyone experiencing problems can call police at any time on 0845 456 7000. Call 999 if someone could get hurt or a crime is happening at the time.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

The X27 bus service is to be extended for the long-term after a successful ‘Use It’ campaign.

As part of an initial council-funded 6 month extension, South Gloucestershire Council has been running a high-profile ‘Use It’ campaign since May to build up patronage on the X27 service in an effort to maintain an important bus link between the communities of North Yate, Iron Acton, Winterbourne and Bristol.

The ‘Use It’ campaign has led to a huge leap in passenger numbers, which has justified the long-term extension of the service.

‘Use It’ initiatives have included door-to-door mailings, a dedicated webpage, free tickets and chances to win a shopping spree.

The Council’s approach with the X27 is in contrast to the approach taken in 2002 when Thornbury’s only express bus service was withdrawn with no significant ‘use it’ campaign.

Cllr Brian Allinson, South Gloucestershire’s Conservative transport chief since 2007, said:

“The Council’s extensive and high profile X27 ‘use it’ campaign has been a first for the district and is evidence of our commitment to promoting public transport alternatives for our residents.

It is clear that our various ‘use it’ initiatives have encouraged a great many more people to use what is a much-needed service, which is remarkable when you consider that the recession has led to an overall reduction in bus use.

These extra passengers add to those many residents who already depended on the service and have allowed us to extend the service for the long-term.

We have been encouraged by the many positive comments from local residents about the council’s efforts to promote the service and would like to thank them for their ongoing support and hope that they will encourage more of their friends and family to use the service as we go into the future.”

He added:

“Our action over the last few months to try and maintain the only express service from North Yate all the way to Bristol’s city centre is in stark contrast to inaction of the Liberal Democrats who largely stood back as Thornbury had its only express bus service withdrawn in 2002.”

Conservative councillors for Winterbourne, Allan Higgs and John Godwin added:

“The X27 provides a very convenient link for residents in Winterbourne wanting to travel by public transport either to Bristol or Yate in the quickest amount of time, which encourages many of them to leave their cars at home.

Many residents will be pleased with the success of the Council’s ‘use it’ campaign – not least those who rely on the service to get to school, their place of work or do their shopping.”

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

A 13-year-old boy has appeared before Northavon Magistrates to face a charge of assault with intent to rob and another of possession of an offensive weapon.

The case follows an incident in which a 14-year-old boy reported an attempted robbery in Page Road, Staple Hill on Sunday October 18 2009.

A second boy arrested in connection with the incident has been released without charge.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Paul Bolton-Jones said: “South Gloucestershire is a safe place to live. However parents should try to make sure they know where their children will be going, when and with whom.”

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire police arrested two youths after a car was broken into a Frampton Cotterell on Tuesday October 20 2009.

Officers attended and arrested two boys nearby.

A 15-year-old boy from Downend and a 16-year-old boy from Staple Hill were both released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Police remind motorists to be vigilant as there is a seasonal increase in crime as the clocks go back this weekend (October 25 2009) and the nights draw in.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police