Police assure communities following speculation online

Statement below on behalf of Assistant Chief Constable Donna Lawton: 

"Most of us would have seen the news over the past few days which has understandably left some people feeling concerned and worried about further disorder.

"We know people will be worried about this happening locally, and we are aware of posts circulating on social media.

"We are continuing to monitor information at a local and national level around possible disruption to ensure we have the right level of resources on duty and be able to respond to any incidents.

"Keeping people safe is our priority. To help us to do that, we have been working with partner organisations, and continuing our community engagement work, and reassurance patrols have been taking place across the county.

"We would like to take this time to remind people that if there are incidents locally, we will take robust action and anyone identified as engaging in disorder will be met with the full force of the law.

"The Constabulary will not hesitate to take action against those who seek to commit offences. Our advice to anyone considering in engaging in disorder is not to do so – you risk time in prison, and we have already seen people being charged, put before the courts and jailed in other parts of the country. If found guilty of violent disorder, you risk spending up to five years in prison.

"We know lots of disinformation has been spread on social media across the country, and we would urge people to think twice about what you read and share online."

If anyone has any information regarding pre-planned disorder or criminality, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You can also call us on 101 or provide non-urgent information online here: Report a crime | Gloucestershire Constabulary

In the case of an emergency dial 999.