PCC met Neighbourhood Watch Members in Thornbury and Yate

Last Friday (26th February) The PCC joined a Neighbourhood Watch Roundtable discussion on anti-social behaviour, and safety issues in Thornbury and Yate, and surrounding areas.

The roundtable discussion was organised by Luke Hall MP for Thornbury and Yate. In his opening remarks, the PCC Mr Mark Shelford says anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and safety issues were the crime concerns across the Avon and Somerset area, and this is also reflected nationally.

The PCC applauded the work of the Neighbourhood Watch, and encouraged them to connect with their beat Managers, as this is ‘a shining example of policing.’  Mark says he will soon sign the iterated Neighbourhood Watch Terms of Reference.

About police numbers and recruitment, the PCC Mark Shelford says: “One of my main Police and Crime Plan priorities is to ensure the Chief Constable delivers an efficient and effective police service and focuses resources on crime prevention. “About 1500 officers were recruited but it takes about 3 years to train majority of them.”

Also discussed was ASB, racing cars and motorcycles, noisy cars and exhausts, graffiti and people abandoning shopping trolley, and lighting. The discussion also looked at ways to develop the relationship between the Neighbourhood Watch and the local neighbourhood beat manager eg sharing direct contact.

Besides Luke Hall MP, the convenor, the meeting was also attended by Sergeant Rob Turner who is based at Chipping Sodbury police station and Neighbourhood Watch Members: Ian St Paul- The Elms and Highfield Road Neighbourhood Watch; Savio Toson- Chair of the Elms Neighbourhood Watch; Joanne Shipp- Rockhampton Neighbourhood Watch and Nate Gooding- Interim Chair of Avon and Somerset Watch.

The PCC also encouraged members to use the StreetSafe App, and share it with the wider community. StreetSafe is a service that allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving us your name (anonymously). This includes issues like poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, or vandalism, as well as instances where you feel unsafe due to someone following or verbally abusing you. But StreetSafe is not for reporting crimes or emergencies.

Commenting after the roundtable meeting PCC Mark Shelford said:

“I had the pleasure of meeting with Neighbourhood Watch (NW) Members and their MP Luke Hall as part of my Friday Engagement activity. They raised concerns from their respective wards and whole constituency, which included anti-social behaviour, safety, and police visibility.

“I would like to reassure residents that I have listened to these concerning issues and am working closely with the police and partners to address the issues. I would also like to applaud the work of the Neighbourhood Watch and encourage them to connect with their local Police Neighbourhood beat Managers. This is a shining example of the Citizens Policing (NW) working in partnership with neighbourhood policing.”