In order to enhance their service provision to the public, the community safety unit of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s South Gloucestershire District has moved into Safer South Gloucestershire community safety and drugs partnership’s offices.
John Kelly, community safety manager for Safer South Gloucestershire, said: “We are delighted to welcome the police community safety unit to work alongside us. We are one of the first partnerships in the South West to do this, and it reflects our successful joint approach to addressing community safety in South Gloucestershire.
“Together the merged team will help raise awareness of and deal with key issues concerning local residents, including anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol misuse and its effects, and domestic violence. It will also lead on a range of proactive initiatives with communities to make them feel safer.”
A police sergeant, three police constables, the neighbourhood watch administrator and Bobby Van operator, are now co-located with the Safer South Gloucestershire team, which includes council officers and other police staff.
It is hoped this move will enable improved sharing of information and a more coordinated approach to tackling both the fear of crime, and crime itself.
Community safety inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, Gus Krouwel, said: “In order to achieve effective results we need to work closely with our partner agencies to help drive down crime. This will improve an already excellent working relationship and help us further develop crime reduction strategies.”
ENDS