Early success for Safer Street Summer Initiative in Gloucestershire

Suspected shoplifters are among those who have been arrested by officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary during the first month of the national Safer Streets Summer Initiative.

The initiative, which runs from 30 June to the end of September, is focused on making town and city centres safer by tackling issues such as shoplifting, street crime and anti-social behaviour.

As part of efforts to reduce offending, officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been taking part in activity throughout the month. Results to date include:

• 29 arrests have been made so far. This includes offences such as robbery, theft, vandalism and assaults;
• 27 people were given anti-social behaviour related out of court disposals;
• Seven people were given retail crime related out of court disposals;
• 10 illegal e-bikes or e-scooters have been seized;
• One person was given a street crime related out of court disposal.

Out of court disposals are when matters are not taken to court and can include outcomes such as cautions, conditional cautions, penalty notices and community resolutions.

Seven e-bikes were seized by the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team on 1 July following an operation targeting the illegal use of e-bikes. One of the bikes was able to reach speeds in excess of 25 mph. The team have also been educating riders and making them aware of legislation.

A man was arrested after officers were informed of a burglary at Five Valleys Shopping Centre on 3 July where £6,000 worth of phones had been stolen. A report was also received that a man was breaching his bail and enquiries by officers found the man at his home address along with 10 phones and an iPad. The 37-year-old was subsequently arrested and later released on bail with conditions not to enter the shopping centre.

Officers from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team took part in a plain clothed patrol on 2 July during which time a man was seen to steal from a shop. He was located in possession of items suspected to have been stolen from the shop so was arrested.

A 47-year-old of no fixed abode was charged with theft from a shop and remanded to appear at court. He pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court the following day and was ordered to pay compensation.

Following a report of two men shoplifting from the Tesco store in Cinderford on 3 July, a 29-year-old from the town was arrested on suspicion of theft and resisting arrest, while a 25-year-old from Cinderford was arrested on suspicion of theft, assaulting an emergency worker and escape from lawful custody. They were both given community resolution orders.

On 12 July the Special Constabulary and Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team seized an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle, also known as e-bikes, and four e-scooters which were being ridden illegally. It was found that the e-bike could reach speeds of 30mph and the e-scooters were not insured for use on the roads.

A report was made on 4 July that a man appeared to be drunk and was behaving threateningly to people on Union Street in Stroud. A 38-year-old man of no fixed address was subsequently charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an emergency worker. He is due to appear before Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 31 July.

Several Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been implemented in Cheltenham and Gloucester after patrols identified street drinking.

The orders prohibit anyone from having open containers of alcohol in a public place. Anyone who is caught will be asked to dispose of it or risk being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice. Sealed alcohol containers can also be seized under the PSPO if it is believed that the owner is likely to commit anti-social behaviour.

Combined efforts from teams across the county resulted in 977 hours being spent patrolling the streets of Gloucestershire.

Chief Inspector Marcus Forbes-George said: "The Safer Street Summer Initiative is an ideal opportunity for us to make a real difference in all our communities across the county.

"These types of crime, such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, typically increase during the summer months and can have a serious impact on people's lives.

"While officers are carrying out the same activities as what they do day in, day out 365 days a year, this initiative allows us to focus on these areas over our peak demand period.

"I am pleased that so much good work has taken place during this first month and hope this continues over the coming months.

"I would like to thank every officer, PCSO and member of staff who has so far played a part in our efforts to make the streets of Gloucestershire as safe as possible this summer."