Your neighbourhood policing team
My name is Steven Benbow and I am the Neighbourhood Inspector responsible for Cheltenham.
I joined Gloucestershire Constabulary in 2006 as a Police Community Support Officer in Cheltenham. This is where my enthusiasm for Neighbourhood Policing began.
In 2013 I joined as a police officer and worked in various departments including the Investigation Team and Response Teams in Cheltenham and Gloucester, but my passion still remained in Neighbourhood Policing and I knew this is where I wanted my career to develop.
I believe that by working with our community and partners we can create a safe town for all to enjoy, especially within the day and night time economies. It is vital that your Neighbourhood Policing Team builds strong relationships and understands the concerns of the community. Creating innovative ideas and partnerships within the community is key to understanding how Neighbourhood Policing can help the wide range of communities we police.
I was born and brought up in Cheltenham and I continue to love the town I live and raise my family in. I am proud to be from Cheltenham (especially having played in goal for the Robins for a small time) and I will strive for it to be a town we are all proud to live in.
Sgt Ashfield joined Gloucestershire Police in 2019. He has worked in both Gloucester and Cheltenham, however the majority of his career has been as a Response Officer in Cheltenham. He joined the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Team in October 2023. He is committed to working with partner agencies to solve long-term problems within the community and also enjoys the proactive elements of neighbourhood policing.
Youth Engagement Officer
Crime Prevention Officer
Crimes and priorities
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Priority:
Action taken:
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Priority:
Continued Anti-social behaviour from youths in the local area, especailly Home Bargins area.
Action taken:
The team continue to carry out patrols, and are working with the local area to identify those carrying out the ASB. Liaising with Schools also as we head to the Summer holiday period.
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Priority:
ASB and Drug dealing has been highlighted in the Benhall Park area of the Community by those on Motorbikes . Intel gathering and patrols are being carried out to identify these individuals.
Action taken:
The Team are in the intelligence gathering stage of this priority and work continues with the help of the Community to identify and deter the ASB. Different Police tactics are also being used to gain this intelligence.Patrols continue into the Summer months to deter this and to identify those causing the ASB and riding the bikes.
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Priority:
Exploitation of a vulnerable young person living within the Community. Local Team have identified this vulnerable person as a concern as it is beleived she is potentially being taken advantage of.
Action taken:
The Team are working with Partners , Yoiuth Offending Officer and the Vulnerability Team to safeguard the vulnerable person. Social Care and Police are meeting to dicuss the way forward for this vulberable member of the Community. Work continues
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Priority:
There has been an increase of reported Shoplifting in the area, partically at Co-op Salisbury Avenue.
Action taken:
Local PCSOs have started the process of liaising with our Crime prevention Team, to carry out a survey and make suggestions to the shops to deter shoplifting. Local PCSOs are increasing thier patrols around the area and try to identify those who are persistent offenders.