Avon and Somerset Police are running a Christmas campaign throughout December to raise awareness of seasonal issues, we asked them what they were doing for Bath and how they are keeping you safe at this festive time.
At this time of year when people are more likely to have expensive gift items in their cars and homes police are aiming to increase awareness of prevention measures to help people protect their possessions.
They are also reminding party-goers to behave responsibly on nights out socialising in the run up to Christmas to help tackle issues like drink driving and drink-related violence.
The campaign, called Have the Christmas you Deserve, is also about highlighting personal safety messages to help people stay safe when they are out and about at this time of year.
Officers across the force will be carrying out a range of activities over the next month, including additional high-visibility patrols in town and city centres, patrols to identify vulnerable homes or vehicles, and vehicle stop checks.
We spoke to the police about what they are doing in Bath; they are taking extra measures to make sure that residents and visitors to the city are safe and have the Christmas they deserve.
They are working with their partners at the council and in the licensing trade and have put more officers on the streets at the peak weekend evenings – a high-visibilty and reassuring presence and a strong deterrent to potential troublemakers.
City centre Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Mildren said: “Our aim is to ensure that visitors are safe and feel safe while they’re here, and that local people aren’t adversely affected by others.”
- Police officers are always on patrol on peak weekend evenings in the city centre.
- Uniformed officers enforce existing local bylaws to confiscate alcohol from people. They take positive action against people committing criminal offences, and have powers that can order trouble-makers to leave the city centre for 24 hours.
- Police officers work with Street and Taxi Marshals to maintain law and order and to help people make their way home safely.
- Police use council CCTV cameras throughout the city to monitor events and to help identify offenders.
The police are also taking this opportunity to reach out to anyone who may be suffering domestic abuse or other forms of abuse at this time of year to encourage them to come forward and report it.
There is a dedicated microsite for the campaign (www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/christmas) giving advice and information about securing your home and personal safety information.
Assistant Chief Constable John Long said: “The aim of the campaign is to help enable the communities of Avon and Somerset to have the trouble-free Christmas they deserve while emphasising our intention to arrest those people committing offences and bring them to justice so that they can also have the Christmas they deserve.
“We have already been busy carrying out vehicle stop checks as part of our Operation Tonic drink-drive campaign and this will continue throughout the month alongside a number of other activities and operations.
“One of the key messages we want to stress as people get underway with their Christmas shopping is to make sure you protect your possessions from theft.
“We want to remind people to ensure anything left in the car is out of sight and the vehicle is locked and that at home unattended doors and windows are kept locked and valuable items are kept out of sight.
“We would encourage people to check out our website for advice and information and also to tell us if they see anyone behaving suspiciously in their area. We hope the residents of Avon and Somerset have the safe and enjoyable Christmas they deserve.“
