A neighbourhood PC from Bath has been given an award, after being nominated by a resident for his work tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) on his local beat.
PC Bridges with Widcombe Cllr Ian Gilchrist and Helen Peters
PC Martyn Bridges covers the ‘Bath City South’ beat and was nominated for an Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner’s Pride award by Helen Peter of Widcombe.
The nomination described Martyn as ‘superb at his job’ and ‘never stinting of his own time and energy’ after he resolved an anti-social behaviour issue.
The community had suffered with noise nuisance, rubbish being thrown into the street and fires being started.
Helen said PC Bridges had striven to engage with everyone and help and support all involved, taking a number of statements and even spending an hour going through ‘revolting’ rubbish to identify the perpetrator.
She said: “Martyn is friendly and approachable – everything you’d want a bobby to be. He built really good relationships with the community, explained what was happening and engaged with us.”
Martyn said: “I’m very honoured the community think I’ve done a good job for them. It was team effort involving all of the beat team, supported by the police ASB team and with the co-operation of the community. After identifying a perpetrator we used ASB legislation to tackle the problem.
“As the individual responsible was vulnerable, we also worked with other agencies including Bath and North East Somerset Council and Avon Fire & Rescue to ensure they had the right support. The issues affected the wider community as well as residents, and we’re glad to have been able to resolve the problems.”
PC Bridges received his award from PCC Sue Mountstevens at an event at the police’s Portishead HQ on Tuesday 14th August.
At the presentation Ms Mountstevens described the nominees as ‘silent stars’ and said: “These are the people who we rely on to support our communities to make them stronger; they do this without a second thought and mostly without recognition or thanks.
“This is why I think it is so important to send a message to all those working hard to make a difference, we are truly thankful.”
