Police worked with The Mall at Cribbs Causeway to make sure an open-air concert for more than 6,000 people was a success.

The Olly Murs concert to mark the Christmas lights being switched on at the South Gloucestershire shopping complex was the first ever hosted at the venue.

A police operation was put into place to ensure the safety of the thousands of mainly young fans who came to the event, and minimise disruption for local people and businesses.

Chief Inspector Peter Warren, in charge of policing at the event, said:

“This was a great opportunity for officers to engage with young people, and obviously any event with that number of people attending requires the support of emergency services. The Mall and the promoters worked together with the police and the event was carefully planned with appropriate private security in place.”

“A few people in the audience needed attention from the medics on standby after feeling faint, but we did not experience any crime, disorder or traffic problems.”

“The event was also the first public duty for a group of the Avon and Somerset Volunteer Police Cadets, who used the opportunity to hand out street safety leaflets to shoppers and concert-goers.”

The uniformed cadets are teenagers from across South Gloucestershire who have volunteered to help their local communities while learning more about the role of police.

Nine of them joined the police operation at The Mall, visiting the centre’s police post, helping officers to engage with young people and handing out safety advice.

The cadets are currently being trained to accompany Neighbourhood officers on community patrols, as well as to help police deliver crime prevention advice and engage with young people at events.

Police officers and PCSOs are giving up their free time to train them and they are supported by John Lewis, South Gloucestershire Council and Filton College.

Avon and Somerset’s new Volunteer Police Cadets donned their uniforms for the first time at a launch event on Monday 31st October 2011.

The teenagers, aged 14 to 17, chose to parade in front of senior officers, sponsors and their families at Downend Day Care Centre instead of joining friends to enjoy the Halloween festivities.

The 10 young women and 19 young men are taking part in a pilot based in South Gloucestershire, where they all either live or attend school. It’s hoped the volunteer cadet scheme will be rolled out across Avon and Somerset.

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, who inspected the cadets’ first parade, said:

“Your classmates may be out trick or treating or going to Halloween parties, but you have chosen to be here tonight.”

“What an inspirational group of young people you are, making a positive contribution to your communities.”

The cadets quickly picked up some basic drill, which they demonstrated to their parents, before taking part in ice-breaking activities.

A group of police officers and staff have volunteered to train the cadets in a range of skills in their own time, and they will meet each week during term time at Downend Day Care Centre.

After suitable training they will be expected to carry out a range of activities, under supervision, including:

• Accompanying regular police officers and PCSOs on routine patrols and at events;
• Delivering crime prevention leaflets; and
• Security marking property.

The Volunteer Police Cadets come from communities across South Gloucestershire, including Bradley Stoke, Bridgeyate, Charfield, Chipping Sodbury, Downend, Emersons Green, Filton, Hambrook, Hanham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Rudgeway, Thornbury, Warmley, Wick, Willsbridge and Yate.

Avon and Somerset Volunteer Police Cadets are grateful for the support of John Lewis, South Gloucestershire Council and Filton College, which has enabled the pilot scheme to be run at no cost.

Officers arrested seven people and searched eight premises seizing suspected class A drugs believed to be heroin and cocaine as well as thousands of pounds in cash in the operation in Kingswood on Tuesday 14th June 2011.

South Gloucestershire’s district commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Francis, said: “This proactive police operation is part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt drug supply and associated crime in the Kingswood area.

“Crime is Kingswood is low compared with national averages, but local people have told us they are concerned that drug use in the area is contributing to crime and disorder. There is an obvious connection between drug use and property crime such as burglary, vehicle crime and theft.

“We will continue to relentlessly target those people whose actions cause harm to the Kingswood community: drug dealers and those who commit crime to fund drug use. We will also continue to work with South Gloucestershire Council and other agencies to offer access to free support and treatment to drug users and their families.”

Police raided homes in areas including Kennington Avenue, Downend Road, Clarence Road, Wychwood, Southey Court, and an industrial unit in Moravian Road.

Five men aged 21, 28, 32, 34 and 39 and a 26-year-old woman have been arrested for being supplying controlled drugs. A 59-year-old man has been arrested for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs. All remain in police custody.

Neighbourhood police will have a high visibility presence in Kingswood over the next few days to give information to the community about this police action.

Police will continue to listen to local people and act on information – although it may take time to gather evidence.

You can help give Kingswood a better future by giving us the information we need to identify and tackle problems and bring criminals to justice. Call police on 0845 456 7000 or the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Crime across South Gloucestershire has fallen by 10 per cent, meaning 1,700 fewer victims. However police have listened to the concerns of local people about crime and disorder in Kingswood.

Since February, the neighbourhood team has had extra staff, providing a highly visible daily presence on the streets of Kingswood to help people feel safer.

Later this year the team will move from Staple Hill police station to Kingswood Civic Centre, where there is already a new police enquiry office.

The change follows research by the South Gloucestershire Safer and Stronger Partnership, which includes police, South Gloucestershire Council, the Fire and Rescue service, health service and other agencies. The group studied crime and disorder across the district and decided a change was needed to improve things for people in Kingswood.

South Gloucestershire Council’s head of Safer and Stronger Communities, Robert Walsh, said: “Kingswood is a safe place to work and live but this clear and decisive action by several organisations dedicated to community safety will hopefully make it even better. We have listened to public concerns about crime and disorder and hopefully today’s action will go some way to address these problems.

“This is also about helping those who have been caught up in the cycle of drugs and associated crime. South Gloucestershire Council is continuing to provide treatment for those who have a problem with drug use. If you are worried about someone you think could be using drugs, or want support to help you fight your own drugs use, please contact 0800 0733 011.”

The Council has announced that it is to provide an extra £100,000 for the PCSOs to provide support for police officers and deliver added reassurance for communities.

Councillor John Calway, Leader of the Council, said: “This funding will allow Avon and Somerset Police to be flexible in providing a visible, uniformed presence where it is needed most. This is all part of our drive towards safer and stronger communities in South Gloucestershire.”

District commander for Avon and Somerset Police, Chief Superintendent Andy Francis, said:

“We welcome the additional investment from the local authority which will allow us to put more resources into the areas within South Gloucestershire with the most need for that visible presence to help people feel safe and be safe.”

“PCSOs provide a vital link between the community and police officers. They have been a positive addition to the policing family within South Gloucestershire, working closely with police officers, the local authority and the community.”

Members of the Lords debated the Police Reform and Social Responsibiilty Bill and the proposed introduction of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to England and Wales.

Avon and Somerset Police Authority Chair Dr Peter Heffer, who has previously said that we are “sleepwalking into the politicisation of policing,” has welcomed Lib Dem calls for a pause.

Dr Heffer said: “In my view, we need an NHS style pause on this reform, it is far too important an issue too be rushed through at a time of enormous change and upheaval for the police.”

“I have been clear about the risks of introducing an elected Police and Crime Commissioner to Avon and Somerset and would be amazed if the police were not put into the hands of one political person. As I have said before, they are the only likely candidates that have the resources and mechanisms to wage an election campaign. It is a worrying prospect, along with the concentration of power in one person. You do not hear people calling for their local hospitals and local schools to be run by one person so why would you want that for the police?”

“Given the pressure on budgets every penny should be focused on protecting frontline policing not setting up an additional local election and another layer of bureaucracy. We have already seen independent analysis that estimates the cost of introducing Commissioners will be £100million. I say this is the wrong way to be spending public money, especially when police staff, officers and our own communities are facing huge personal and financial uncertainty.

“I encourage their Lordships to seek a pause in these plans. The people should decide if this is what they really want. If it’s right to hold a local referendum before having elected mayors, why not the same for police commissioners, who will have much greater power? Local communities should decide how best their taxes should be spent – frontline police or commissioners.”

The first elections for Police and Crime Commissioners are planned for May 2012.

The Council’s highways department has reported ten covers going missing throughout March and April. It’s believed they are being stolen for their scrap metal value.

Gratings are known to have been taken from Whitfield near Wotton-under-Edge; Fernhill, Almondsbury; Tytherington Road, Thornbury and Passage Road, Aust.

Neighbourhood PC Roger Hopes said: “I would appeal for anyone with any information which could help our enquiries to contact Thornbury police station on 0845 456 7000 or call the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

“Missing drain covers can be a serious hazard to road users, especially cyclists and motorbike riders. I would urge anyone who sees someone tampering with ironworks in the road to note any vehicle details and contact police immediately.”

PC Hopes added that thefts of roofing lead, copper piping and other metal are becoming more common across the country, and urged businesses and property owners to be vigilant.

The aim is to offer support to farmers, stables and rural households to combat crime, improve their security and encourage them to report anything suspicious to police.

More than 100 members of existing Farm Watch and Horse Watch schemes and those who have recently suffered from crime will be offered a security survey by specialist officers.

The local neighbourhood team also offer a property marking service for the top five most commonly stolen pieces of equipment: quad bikes, mowers/strimmers, chainsaws, electric fence power units and tack.

Those who sign up for Rural Watch will also get updates whenever a crime is reported for their area through the Neighbourhood Watch Ringmaster system.

Neighbourhood Inspector Deryck Rees is co-ordinating the initiative. He said: “We know that thieves will travel to rural areas to target isolated outbuildings and premises, stealing quad bikes and power tools.

“Rural Watch is just one of the ways we’re tackling the problem. We’re targeting our patrols and working with neighbouring forces as well as liaising with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).”

The move comes after more than dozen reports of barns and outbuildings being broken into in Thornbury and villages off the A38 into Gloucestershire. Police believe quad bikes are the main target for the thieves.

Martin Gill, chair of the NFU’s Thornbury branch, said: “This support for the rural community is very welcome. People living and working in isolated areas can feel vulnerable, and this support from local police will help people feel safer.

“I would urge farmers and rural residents to take up this offer of free security advice and property marking – especially as some insurers such as NFU Mutual offer discounts for certain security systems.”

Police say it’s important for people to secure tools as equipment as thieves use any items they find on the scene to force locks and bolts. A relatively small investment in motion-activated alarms, good quality locks, bolts and hinges and marking property, used together to give ‘layers of defence’, does deter thieves.

Police recommend:

• Record the serial numbers of equipment and vehicles and register it for free on www.immobilise.com. Off road vehicles can be registered with DVLA for a fee.
• Permanently mark property with their postcode both obviously with something like exterior metalwork paint and again somewhere concealed and sheltered with an ultraviolet marker pen. Alternatively use a Secured by Design-approved asset marking kit.
• Make sure outbuildings, fences, gates and doors are sturdy. Fit buildings used to store quad bikes with an alarm – wireless dual beam PIR systems are versatile and easy to use.
• Fit Sold Secure standard locks, bolts and hinges
• Use a ground anchor and taut chain of Sold Secure standard to secure quad bikes and other items within an outbuilding
• Install low-energy dusk-to-dawn or motion-activated security lights.
• Report any incidents of suspicious vehicles or activity, especially registration numbers and descriptions.

South Gloucestershire police are working closely with neighbouring Gloucestershire police to increase patrols of the affected areas.

Find more security advice from:

• www.avonandsomerset.police.uk
• www.soldsecure.com
• www.securedbydesign.com

Barry, 69, was brutally attacked outside his Iron Acton home on Wednesday 28th April 2010. Detectives know he had been out with friends that evening and returned to Crossing cottage at around 10:45pm, he was found with significant head injuries the morning after.

Investigations have continued since and the family of Mr Rubery have made numerous appeals for information to locate the killers.

His daughter Julie Rubery said: “I cannot believe that nearly twelve months down the line we are still in this position, the person who took our father and the children’s grandfather from them is still out. We cannot begin to move on with our lives until we find out why this happened.”

Philip Rubery added: “We would urge anyone who has any information and has not spoken to the police to come forward and speak to them. We want to know why dad was killed so that we can try to fully move on with our lives.”

Detective Inspector Guy Turner is leading the investigation said:” A year has passed since the death of Barry Rubery and this investigation remains very much ongoing.

“Someone out there holds that vital piece of information to solve this crime and I would urge you to search your conscience and come forward in the knowledge that the information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

“A year has now passed and the family of Mr Rubery are still searching for answers as to why he was brutally killed for no apparent reason. They cannot begin to think about moving on with their lives until they know who is responsible for the brutal murder of Barry.

“If anyone knows anything about why he was attacked and why his house was burgled, please come forward and let us have that information. The smallest piece of information might help me find the answers for the family and I can assure you it will be treated in confidence.”

For the first time Barry’s friend Chris Lock who was with him on the night he died has spoken, he said: “We’d had a lovely evening, full of fun, as Barry was. I can’t understand any of it. He was a generous man; many of us are absolutely devastated. Lot’s of people remember Barry and speak to me about him. We miss him a lot.”

Anyone who may have information is asked to call the Operation Duxbury incident room on 0117 945 4057 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police have issued an appeal for the public’s help to find a vulnerable missing man in the South Gloucestershire area.

Peter Rowell aged 52 years of Wickwar, was last seen this morning at about 8:30am, when he left home for work as normal.

He did not turn up for work and concern increased when he could not be contacted.

Peter parked his car at Morrison’s supermarket in Yate.

Mr Rowell is described as a white man with white/silver coloured hair. He is 5ft 10ins of stocky build. He is possibly wearing brown coloured jeans and a white shirt.

He is thought to be depressed, following the death of a close relative.

The missing man is well known in the Bristol area through his job as an afternoon presenter on BBC Radio Bristol. He previously worked for GWR Radio and ITV West (formerly HTV West).

Police would like Peter, or anyone spotting him to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Staple Hill police station on 0845 4567000 or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TrackMyCrime allows ‘victims’ to track the progress of their crime as it’s investigated by police officers, by providing access to information extracted from police systems.

Deputy Chief Constable Rob Beckley said: “We’ve introduced TrackMyCrime to keep victims informed about the status of their crime in a more streamlined and efficient way. It combines policing with modern technology and gives victims more choice about how they want to receive information from us.”

The system will revolutionise the service that victims receive. It will cut the time spent waiting for police officers to call them back about their crime as they will automatically be updated either by e-mail or text as officers fill in information on police computers.

Victims can also send messages back to the investigation team and view information about their stolen or damaged property.

Scott Fulton, Head of eServices, for Avon and Somerset police said; “No one wants to be the victim of a crime but if you are then you want it to impact on your life as little as possible. We developed this system to provide victims of crime with more choice about how they are updated and with a better service.

“You can check your bank account and track parcels on-line, it makes sense to provide a service where you can check details about your crime too.”

To use the service, the victim must enter the crime reference number together with his/her last name and date of birth.