Our local police send out a very useful monthly news letter on police issues. Latest is attached.

Also the Police have now interviewed and selected an independent panel of residents from the community to liaise with the police over police issues. The first Chair will be Henry Brown who takes over this role after stepping down from the Better Bath Forum.

This community panel is a welcome initiative from the police. My only concern is that the panel truly represents all residents and so I am checking up, along with other colleagues, on how the initial adverts were placed.

 

Dear Colleague

 

Crime Reduction = -3.9%

Detection = 36.6%

Satisfaction = 86.2%

 

On 8 December the Government will announce the levels of funding for Avon and Somerset Constabulary and I will discover the extent of the financial challenge for the next four years.  The Chief Constable has run a very tight ship over the last few years and some innovative solutions in cutting back on the cost of our back office functions makes the Constabulary one of the most prepared forces to take on the challenge ahead.   Nevertheless it is going to be a difficult and challenging period but very important that the decisions made protect the key frontline services people rely on the most.

 

I am running a campaign on people urinating in the street.  Several hundreds of years ago when sewage ran down the centre of the roads it might have been more acceptable behaviour but for people to be doing it in the street in 2010, I am afraid, is offensive and disgusting.   In this weeks edition of the Bath Chronicle I highlighted the campaign by showing a picture of a young man who decided he would urinate all over another person motorbike.  You can’t imagine how incensed you would be if you came out and witnessed that happening to your bike, or how disgusting it would be riding it home.   Fortunately he was caught and given an £80 on the spot fine. With a concerted effort we must surely be able to eradicate all, or at least most of, this behaviour.

 

A significant momentum is gathering across the country in relation to the government decision to increase tuition fees for university students.   As the city of Bath has two large universities it is natural to expect the students to express their thoughts.  We will work with both universities to facilitate peaceful protest but equally will have a very low tolerance on law breaking such as violence or criminal damage.   There are a series of events planned over coming weeks which we will endeavour to police firmly but appropriately.

 

 

 

 

 

The switching on of the Christmas lights saw large crowds gather once again and it was a delight to see so many people out enjoying themselves.   Certainly it started the build up to Christmas and it appeared that the evening was enjoyed by all.  This also marks the start of our Christmas campaign to make sure the streets of our towns and cities are safe at night, especially at the weekends.  We are increasing our patrols and engaging in a great deal of activity on all of the busy nights leading up to, and through, the Christmas period.

 

May I take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout the year and wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

 

With very best wishes.

 

Yours sincerely