The South Glos Post

The debate on introducing directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners moved to the House of Lords yesterday following Lib Dem peer calls for a ‘postponement’ or ‘pilot.’

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?”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police Authority

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after reports that thieves have stolen metal gully or drain covers from South Gloucestershire roads.

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.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire police have launched Rural Watch across South Gloucestershire.

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).”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Nearly on year on since the tragic death of father and grandfather Barry Rubery detectives working to locate his killers are appealing to the public for their help.

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.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police