The South Glos Post

Neighbourhood police and Trading Standards officers carrying out checks on underage alcohol sales in the Chipping Sodbury, Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell and Yate areas were delighted that they all refused to sell alcohol to children.

On Friday 6th May 2011 police teamed up with South Gloucestershire Trading Standards officers for the operation, aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related offences.

With the help of two clearly underage teenage volunteers – a girl and a boy – they visited ten off-licences to check whether they were prepared to sell alcohol to under-18s.

None of them were prepared to make the sale.

New Neighbourhood PC Finbar Simmons said: “Alcohol and children does not mix. Drink can make young people vulnerable and it can lead to anti-social and criminal behaviour. Licensees have a responsibility to ensure that alcohol does not fall into the wrong hands, and we frequently test that in operations with our colleagues at the council.”

“I’m delighted that all the off-licences did make the proper checks and refused to sell drink to minors, and they will be sent a letter of appreciation.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire police will be putting well-rehearsed plans into action over the Easter holiday weekend to help manage traffic heading to the Badminton Horse Trials.

Around 140,000 people are expected to descend on the Badminton estate, which hosts one of the world’s largest equestrian events – second only to the Kentucky Derby.

The event runs from Thursday 21st April, with the cross country on Sunday and the last day of events on Easter Monday (25th April).

The police priority is to ensure visitors arrive safely with minimum disruption to people who live, work and travel in the immediate area.

PC Ian Cousins has been working behind the scenes at the event. He said: “Badminton Horse Trials has been running for many years and is a very well-planned and problem-free event. We work closely with the organisers and other agencies to keep it that way.

“The main traffic plan involves six police motorcycles working with the AA, Highways Agency, problem ‘spotters’ and the organisers to get thousands of vehicles through the country roads and safely onto the site. Please remember to leave as early as possible to avoid delay.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

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