Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Encyclopedia
Avon & Somerset Constabulary is the territorial police force
in England responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Somerset
, the city & county of Bristol
and the unitary authorities of South Gloucestershire
, North Somerset
and Bath and North East Somerset
; before 1996 these districts formed the now-defunct county of Avon, hence the force's name.
The first police force in the entire of England was formed in Covent Garden
by Somerset
born novelist Henry Fielding
, in 1748. In 1835, Bristol and Bath became the first to create their own police forces in the county itself, after that year's Municipal Corporations Act
. The original Bristol constabulary had 232 officers issued with a top hat, blue coat and white trousers. this constabulary began certain practices that were eventually adopted country-wide, including recruiting female officers (with 13 on patrol by 1918) and photographing prison
ers. Bridgwater and Chard followed with their own constabularies in 1839, with all forces being merged into the Somerset Constabulary in 1940, under the County Police Act.
The force as it is today was created on 1 April 1974, the same day as Avon
, from a merger of the Bristol City Police
, the Somerset and Bath Constabulary
, and the Staple Hill division of Gloucestershire Constabulary
. It was the only force to provide a mounted escort for the Queen during her Royal Jubilee tour of Bristol in 1977.
Avon & Somerset Constabulary provides service for approximately 1.5 million people, and is the 6th largest police force in England & Wales. The current Chief Constable (the forces 6th) is Colin Port, he has been Chief Constable since January 2005.
in North Somerset
, close to the B3124, it was chosen as the site for the new HQ when the Bristol Constabulary's Bridewell Headquarters was deemed to be too small to continue serving as the Force's HQ. The Portishead complex cost £31 million to construct and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1995.
Avon and Somerset Police use a total of 41 police stations.
(BCU) has several specialist teams, namely:
The Western Counties Air Operations Unit
is a police helicopter based at Filton Airport, that is shared between Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Gloucestershire Constabulary
, who both own half the aircraft. The helicopter is staffed by officers of both forces and features various technology including thermal imaging, a nite-sun spotlight and GPS and radio tracker systems. The aircraft has a scramble time of two minutes. The helicopter can also be used as an air ambulance
when required.
and 28 motorcycles
.
due to the many events that attract large crowds in the area such as Badminton Horse Trials
, Glastonbury Festival
and Bristol City Football Club. The unit consists of 12 bred bay geldings. The unit is occasionally loaned to neighbouring forces as Avon and Somerset are the only West Country
police force with a mounted division.
Formal dress comprises an open-necked tunic, with white shirt/blouse and tie. Constables and Sergeants wear custodian helmet's and collar numbers on their epaulettes, all higher ranked officers wear peaked caps, name badges and their rank on their epaulettes. The No.1 uniform is accompanied by black boots or shoes and occasionally black gloves, or brown gloves for the rank of Inspector and above.
During late 2009 Avon and Somerset Constabulary introduced Mobile Data Terminals and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA
) to some of its operational vehicles and front line officers. This is steadily being rolled out across the force. Most front line officers now have their own PDA
designed to assist the officer in his/her day to day tasks and allows them to spend more time out of the station.
on all of its operational vehicles. This style of livery was introduced in 2005 when the traditional 'jam sandwich' style police markings were removed in favour of the new livery, which is thought to aid officers responding to emergency calls by allowing the public to quickly and clearly identify the vehicle as a police vehicle. The square livery also aids in the visibility of the force which is perceived to enhance public confidence. Marked vehicles also show the force website on the rear and 'POLICE' across the bonnet, however the force crest is no longer used on (most) cars.
, 535 are Police Community Support Officers and 2,491 are support staff.
This included a 22% fall in car crime, a 19% fall in fraud, a 13% fall for robbery and criminal damage. However assault and sex crimes rose by 1% and 'Other Crimes' including public order offences, dangerous driving, possession of firearms, going equipped for stealing, and perverting the course of justice rose by 26%.
In perceptions of police and crime, 65.2% of residents in Avon and Somerset believe that Avon and Somerset Constabulary is dealing with 'anti-social behaviour
and crime that matters' in their area.
rated Avon and Somerset Constabulary as 'Fair' all categories including 'Local Crime', 'Protection from harm' and 'Satisfaction and Confidence'. It was particularly 'Good' in 'Reducing road death and injury' and particularly 'Poor' in 'Comparative satisfaction of BME community'. In value for money the force received 'Medium/High' status.
received 800 complaint cases, an increase of 18& from 2006/7, compared to a 0% increase nationally. From which 1231 allegations were made, including 'Other neglect or failure in duty' and 'Incivility, Impoliteness and Intolerance' both 6% and 3% respectively lower than the national average. Avon and Somerset Constabulary was second lowest in its seven strong peer group.
Of the 1231 allegations made, 40% were investigated, 8% higher than the national average, 41% were resolved locally and 19% were withdrawn, dispensed with or discontinued. Of the 40% investigated, 12% were substantiated and 88% were unsubstantiated.
.
If the Government
continues its plans to introduce an elected Police Commissioner
into every police force, then the Avon and Somerset Police Authority will be scrapped.
announced plans to reduce the number of police forces in the UK from 42 to 24 in an attempt to save money. The plans were abandoned later that year due to lack of funding for the mergers, however the idea has resurfaced many times.
The proposed idea would see Avon and Somerset Constabulary merge with Gloucestershire Constabulary
, Devon and Cornwall Police, Wiltshire Police and Dorset Police
to form a 'super police force'.
The plans have been publicly criticised by all the involved forces, stating that it would lead to poor quality service and a reduction in local policing.
- In February 2010 plans for a merger of the four South West police forces: Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Devon and Cornwall were re-evaluated by the Home Office in a bid to reduce spending. All of the forces except Avon and Somerset were against an amalgamation. Following this Avon and Somerset Constabulary began purchasing uniform and equipment without the force crest. Instead identifying marks just read 'Police' without a force crest or reference to Avon and Somerset, the proposed merger to create a South Western Police Force has still not been outruled as the Home Office and Central Government look to save funding.
and Race Relations Act
when it deselected 186 white
male candidates from its recruitment process solely because of their gender and race. Ralph Welsman, one of those discriminated against, sued the constabulary for their breach of employment laws and he received compensation in an out of court settlement. The policy was condemned by both the Police Federation
and Commission for Racial Equality
and it has now been abandoned.
lists and commemorates all British police officers killed in the line of duty, and since its establishment in 1984 has erected over 38 memorials to some of those officers.
Since 1900, the following Avon and Somerset officers were killed while attempting to prevent or stop a crime in progress:
that provides home security improvements, fire prevention equipment and advice free of charge to victims of crime, the elderly and disadvantaged in Avon and Somerset.
The charity funds 'Bobby Vans' that are mobile workshops for 'Bobbies' who install equipment in people's homes free of charge. The operators are trained locksmiths, carpenters, crime reduction advisors and fire prevention advisors.
The Bobby Van Trust works closely with Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the fire services of Avon
and Somerset
. Although an independent charity the trust also receives funding from Bristol City Council.
Territorial police force
The phrase Territorial Police Force varies in precise meaning according to the country to which it is related, generally distinguishing a force whose area of responsibility is defined by sub-national boundaries from others which deal with the entire country or a restricted range of...
in England responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, the city & county of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and the unitary authorities of South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire is a unitary district in the ceremonial county of Gloucestershire, in South West England.-History:The district was created in 1996, when the county of Avon was abolished, by the merger of former area of the districts of Kingswood and Northavon...
, North Somerset
North Somerset
North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....
and Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset is a unitary authority that was created on 1 April 1996 following the abolition of the County of Avon. It is part of the Ceremonial county of Somerset...
; before 1996 these districts formed the now-defunct county of Avon, hence the force's name.
History
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
by Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
born novelist Henry Fielding
Henry Fielding
Henry Fielding was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich earthy humour and satirical prowess, and as the author of the novel Tom Jones....
, in 1748. In 1835, Bristol and Bath became the first to create their own police forces in the county itself, after that year's Municipal Corporations Act
Municipal Corporations Act 1835
The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 – sometimes known as the Municipal Reform Act, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in the incorporated boroughs of England and Wales...
. The original Bristol constabulary had 232 officers issued with a top hat, blue coat and white trousers. this constabulary began certain practices that were eventually adopted country-wide, including recruiting female officers (with 13 on patrol by 1918) and photographing prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
ers. Bridgwater and Chard followed with their own constabularies in 1839, with all forces being merged into the Somerset Constabulary in 1940, under the County Police Act.
The force as it is today was created on 1 April 1974, the same day as Avon
Avon (county)
Avon was, from 1974 to 1996, a non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in the west of England.The county was named after the River Avon, which runs through the area. It was formed from parts of the historic counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset, together with the City of Bristol...
, from a merger of the Bristol City Police
Bristol City Police
Bristol City Constabulary, also called Bristol City Police, was a police force responsible for policing the city of Bristol in south-west England until 1974, when it was amalgamated under the Local Government Act 1972 with Somerset and Bath Constabulary and parts of the Gloucestershire Constabulary...
, the Somerset and Bath Constabulary
Somerset and Bath Constabulary
Somerset and Bath Constabulary was a short-lived police force in England from 1967 to 1974. It was created as a merger of the Somerset Constabulary and Bath City Police and covered the administrative county of Somerset and the county borough of Bath...
, and the Staple Hill division of Gloucestershire Constabulary
Gloucestershire Constabulary
Gloucestershire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Gloucestershire in England...
. It was the only force to provide a mounted escort for the Queen during her Royal Jubilee tour of Bristol in 1977.
Avon & Somerset Constabulary provides service for approximately 1.5 million people, and is the 6th largest police force in England & Wales. The current Chief Constable (the forces 6th) is Colin Port, he has been Chief Constable since January 2005.
Organisation
The headquarters of the force is currently PortisheadPortishead, Somerset
Portishead is a coastal town on the Severn Estuary within the unitary authority of North Somerset, which falls within the ceremonial county of Somerset England. It has a population of 22,000, an increase of over 3,000 since the 2001 census, with a growth rate of 40 per cent, considerably in excess...
in North Somerset
North Somerset
North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....
, close to the B3124, it was chosen as the site for the new HQ when the Bristol Constabulary's Bridewell Headquarters was deemed to be too small to continue serving as the Force's HQ. The Portishead complex cost £31 million to construct and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1995.
Avon and Somerset Police use a total of 41 police stations.
South Gloucestershire
- Chipping SodburyChipping SodburyChipping Sodbury is a market town in the county of South Gloucestershire, south-west England, founded in the 12th century by William Crassus . The villages of Old Sodbury and Little Sodbury are nearby...
- FiltonFiltonFilton is a town in South Gloucestershire, England, situated on the northern outskirts of the city of Bristol, about from the city centre. Filton lies in Bristol postcode areas BS7 and BS34. The town centres upon Filton Church, which dates back to the 12th century and is a grade II listed building...
- Staple Hill (District headquarters)
- ThornburyThornbury, South GloucestershireThornbury is a market town in South Gloucestershire, England, approximately 12 miles north of the city of Bristol, with a population of 12,342 at the 2001 UK census. The town hosts South Gloucestershire Council headquarters and is twinned with Bockenem in Germany. Thornbury is a Britain in Bloom...
Bath and North East Somerset
- Bath (District headquarters)
- KeynshamKeynshamKeynsham is a town and civil parish between Bristol and Bath in Somerset, south-west England. It has a population of 15,533.It was listed in the Domesday Book as Cainesham, which is believed to mean the home of Saint Keyne....
- RadstockRadstockRadstock is a town in Somerset, England, south west of Bath, and north west of Frome. It is within the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset and had a population of 5,275 according to the 2001 Census...
Bristol
- AvonmouthAvonmouthAvonmouth is a port and suburb of Bristol, England, located on the Severn Estuary, at the mouth of the River Avon.The council ward of Avonmouth also includes Shirehampton and the western end of Lawrence Weston.- Geography :...
- BishopsworthBishopsworthBishopsworth is the name of both a council ward of the city of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and a suburb of the city which lies within that ward.As well as the suburb of Bishopsworth, the ward contains the areas of Bedminster Down, Highridge and Withywood....
- BrislingtonBrislingtonBrislington is an area in the south east of the city of Bristol, England. It is on the edge of Bristol and from Bath. The Brislington Brook runs through the area in the woodlands of Nightingale Valley...
- Fishponds
- Kenneth Steele House
- Broadbury Road
- New Bridewell
- Newfoundland Road
- RedlandRedland, BristolRedland is an affluent suburb in Bristol, England. The suburb is situated between Clifton, Cotham, Bishopston and Westbury Park. The boundaries of the district are not precisely defined, but are generally taken to be Whiteladies Road in the west, the Severn Beach railway line in the south and...
- SouthmeadSouthmeadSouthmead is a northern suburb and council ward of Bristol, in the southwest of England. The town of Filton , and the Bristol suburbs of Monks Park, Horfield, Henleaze and Westbury on Trym lie on its boundaries....
- Trinity RoadTrinity Road (police)Trinity Road Police Station is the headquarters of the "Trinity Sector", or just "Trinity", of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in Lawrence Hill, Bristol....
(District headquarters)
North Somerset
- Bristol AirportBristol AirportBristol Airport may refer to:* Bristol Airport, serving Bristol, England, United Kingdom ** Bristol Airport , a docu-soap based on events at Bristol Airport...
- ClevedonClevedonClevedon is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset, England...
- NailseaNailseaNailsea is a town in the unitary authority of North Somerset within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, approximately to the southwest of Bristol and about to the northeast of the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. The nearest village is Backwell, which lies south of Nailsea on the...
- PortisheadPortishead, SomersetPortishead is a coastal town on the Severn Estuary within the unitary authority of North Somerset, which falls within the ceremonial county of Somerset England. It has a population of 22,000, an increase of over 3,000 since the 2001 census, with a growth rate of 40 per cent, considerably in excess...
- Weston-super-MareWeston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...
(District headquarters)
East Somerset
- ChardChard, SomersetChard is a town and civil parish in the Somerset county of England. It lies on the A30 road near the Devon border, south west of Yeovil. The parish has a population of approximately 12,000 and, at an elevation of , it is the southernmost and highest town in Somerset...
- CrewkerneCrewkerneCrewkerne is a town in Somerset, England, situated south west of Yeovil and east of Chard in the South Somerset district close to the border with Dorset. The civil parish of West Crewkerne includes the hamlets of Woolminstone and Henley...
- FromeFromeFrome is a town and civil parish in northeast Somerset, England. Located at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills, the town is built on uneven high ground, and centres around the River Frome. The town is approximately south of Bath, east of the county town, Taunton and west of London. In the 2001...
- IlminsterIlminsterIlminster is a country town and civil parish in the countryside of south west Somerset, England, with a population of 4,781. Bypassed a few years ago, the town now lies just east of the intersection of the A303 and the A358...
- Shepton MalletShepton MalletShepton Mallet is a small rural town and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset in South West England. Situated approximately south of Bristol and east of Wells, the town is estimated to have a population of 9,700. It contains the administrative headquarters of Mendip District Council...
- SomertonSomertonSomerton is a small town and civil parish in the South Somerset district of the English county of Somerset. It gave its name to the county of Somerset, was briefly, around the start of the 14th century, the county town, and around 900 AD was possibly the capital of Wessex...
- StreetStreet, SomersetStreet is a small village and civil parish in the county of Somerset, England. It is situated on a dry spot in the Somerset Levels, at the end of the Polden Hills, south-west of Glastonbury. The 2001 census records the village as having a population of 11,066...
- WellsWellsWells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
- WincantonWincantonWincanton is a small town in south Somerset, southwest England. The town lies on the A303 road, the main route between London and South West England, and has some light industry...
- YeovilYeovilYeovil is a town and civil parish in south Somerset, England. The parish had a population of 27,949 at the 2001 census, although the wider urban area had a population of 42,140...
(District headquarters)
West Somerset
- BridgwaterBridgwaterBridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...
- Burnham-on-SeaBurnham-on-SeaBurnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. Burnham was a small village until the late 18th century, when it began to grow because of its popularity as a seaside resort. It forms part of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge...
- CheddarCheddarCheddar is a large village and civil parish in the Sedgemoor district of the English county of Somerset. It is situated on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills, north-west of Wells. The civil parish includes the hamlets of Nyland and Bradley Cross...
- DulvertonDulvertonDulverton is a town and civil parish in the heart of West Somerset, England, near the border with Devon. The town has a population of 1,630. The parish includes the hamlets of Battleton and Ashwick which is located approximately north west of Dulverton...
- MineheadMineheadMinehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park...
- TauntonTauntonTaunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
(District headquarters) - WellingtonWellington, SomersetWellington is a small industrial town in rural Somerset, England, situated south west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district, near the border with Devon, which runs along the Blackdown Hills to the south of the town...
- WillitonWillitonWilliton is a medium-sized village and civil parish in West Somerset, England. It has many of the facilities of a small town, being the administrative centre for the district. Williton is situated at the junction of the A39, A358 and B3191 roads...
Basic Command Unit structure
Each Basic Command UnitBasic Command Unit
A Basic Command Unit is the largest unit into which territorial British Police forces are divided. This may actually be called a BCU or may have another designation, such as Division or Area. There are 228 BCUs in England and Wales.Most forces are divided into at least three BCUs and some have...
(BCU) has several specialist teams, namely:
- Neighbourhood Policing TeamNeighbourhood Policing TeamNeighbourhood Policing Teams are a concept developed by the United Kingdom police. It involves small teams of police officers who are dedicated to policing a certain community or area. There are 3,600 NPTs throughout the United Kingdom...
(NPTs), each with local Beat Managers and PCSOsPolice community support officerA police community support officer , or community support officer is a uniformed non-warranted officer employed by a territorial police force or the British Transport Police in England and Wales. Police community support officers were introduced in September 2002 by the Police Reform Act 2002...
. The NPTs concentrate on preventing and detecting local crime and targeting offenders, building contacts in the local community, resolving problems by working with local organisations and individuals, and being visible and accessible. - Targeted Patrol Teams responding to emergency calls.
- Traffic UnitsHighway patrolA highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
patrol the roads and target and pursue people committing traffic offences, this includes Traffic PCSO's. - Criminal Investigation Departments (CIDCriminal Investigation DepartmentThe Crime Investigation Department is the branch of all Territorial police forces within the British Police and many other Commonwealth police forces, to which plain clothes detectives belong. It is thus distinct from the Uniformed Branch and the Special Branch.The Metropolitan Police Service CID,...
) detect serious crime- Forensic Services investigate crime scenes for forensic evidence that may correspond with many of the Home Office databases.
- Pro-active Policing Units target persistent criminals and focus on specific operations.
- Dog UnitsPolice dogA police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
are officers who patrol with dogs and respond to incidents where a police dog is required.
Headquarters-based teams
To support the BCUs, several centralised teams operate from the headquarters:- Criminal Investigation DepartmentCriminal Investigation DepartmentThe Crime Investigation Department is the branch of all Territorial police forces within the British Police and many other Commonwealth police forces, to which plain clothes detectives belong. It is thus distinct from the Uniformed Branch and the Special Branch.The Metropolitan Police Service CID,...
- Major Incident PlanningEmergency managementEmergency management is the generic name of an interdisciplinary field dealing with the strategic organizational management processes used to protect critical assets of an organization from hazard risks that can cause events like disasters or catastrophes and to ensure the continuance of the...
- Major Investigation Team
- Armed Response GroupAuthorised Firearms OfficerAn Authorised Firearms Officer is a British police officer who has received training and authorisation to carry and use firearms. The designation is significant because within the United Kingdom, police officers do not routinely carry firearms...
- Counter Terrorism GroupCounter-terrorismCounter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
- Air Operations UnitWiltshire Air AmbulanceThe Wiltshire Air Ambulance or Wiltshire Police Helicopter, is an air ambulance and police helicopter which responds to seriously ill or injured casualties and police incidents across Wiltshire...
- Emergency Communications CentreEmergency Control CentreAn Emergency Control Centre or Emergency Communications Centre more commonly abbreviated to ECC is a concept used by emergency services in the UK describing a building or room where control room operators take calls from members of the public in need of assistance through the 999 emergency number...
- Force Contact Centre (SNEN)
- IntelligencePolice IntelligencePolice intelligence refers to an element of the British police. Staffed by police officers and support staff, its purpose is to track and predict crime with a view to curbing it...
- Corporate Communications
Air Operations Unit
Western Counties Air Operations Unit
The Western Counties Air Operations Unit is a joint consortium established to provide police aviation for Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Gloucestershire Constabulary. It was formed in August 1995, and operates a Eurocopter EC135 from Bristol Filton Airport....
is a police helicopter based at Filton Airport, that is shared between Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Gloucestershire Constabulary
Gloucestershire Constabulary
Gloucestershire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Gloucestershire in England...
, who both own half the aircraft. The helicopter is staffed by officers of both forces and features various technology including thermal imaging, a nite-sun spotlight and GPS and radio tracker systems. The aircraft has a scramble time of two minutes. The helicopter can also be used as an air ambulance
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
when required.
Road Policing Unit
The Road Polcing Unit (RPU) is a subdepartment of the Operations that is specifically focused on policing the roads of Avon and Somerset. The RPU has 55 carsPolice car
A police car is a ground vehicle used by police, to assist with their duties in patrolling and responding to incidents. Typical uses of a police car include transportation for officers to reach the scene of an incident quickly, to transport criminal suspects, or to patrol an area, while providing a...
and 28 motorcycles
Police motorcycle
A police motorcycle is a motorcycle used by various police forces and departments. They may be custom designed to meet the requirements unique of a particular use. A police motorcycle is often called a "motor" by police officers in the United States...
.
Support Group Unit
Avon and Somerset Constabulary has a Support Group that specialise in very specific needs of investigations or missions, such as police divers, football match management and explosive searching. The officers chosen for Support Group duties are physically elite and have passed extensive tests.Mounted Division Unit
Although considered a luxury in other forces, Avon and Somerset Constabulary have a division of mounted policeMounted police
Mounted police are police who patrol on horseback or camelback. They continue to serve in remote areas and in metropolitan areas where their day-to-day function may be picturesque or ceremonial, but they are also employed in crowd control because of their mobile mass and height advantage and...
due to the many events that attract large crowds in the area such as Badminton Horse Trials
Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
, Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
and Bristol City Football Club. The unit consists of 12 bred bay geldings. The unit is occasionally loaned to neighbouring forces as Avon and Somerset are the only West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
police force with a mounted division.
Headgear
Avon and Somerset Police officers wear the traditional custodian helmet in the rose style with a Brunswick star that reads 'Avon and Somesrset Constabulary', for foot patrol. And a peaked cap for when on mobile patrol in vehicles, and a white peaked cap for traffic officers. Female officers wear a bowler hat, or a white bowler hat for traffic officers.Uniform
When on duty officers wear the traditional white shirt and black tie, covered with a black stab vest reading 'Police' on the front and back. Avon and Somerset no longer use the traditional police jumper, having favoured the black fleece with 'Police' written on the chest and back. Avon and Somerset officers do not have Brunswick stars on their epaulettes, just the rank and/or collar number. Female officers do not wear the black and white checkered cravat.Formal dress comprises an open-necked tunic, with white shirt/blouse and tie. Constables and Sergeants wear custodian helmet's and collar numbers on their epaulettes, all higher ranked officers wear peaked caps, name badges and their rank on their epaulettes. The No.1 uniform is accompanied by black boots or shoes and occasionally black gloves, or brown gloves for the rank of Inspector and above.
Equipment
Avon and Somerset Constabulary use a variety of standard UK Police equipment including TETRA digital radios, rigid handcuffs, CS spray and the ASP collapsible baton. Some officers also routinely carry the controversial TASER Stun device designed to electrically shock a subject making them fall to the ground and to be subdued.During late 2009 Avon and Somerset Constabulary introduced Mobile Data Terminals and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA
PDA
A PDA is most commonly a Personal digital assistant, also known as a Personal data assistant, a mobile electronic device.PDA may also refer to:In science, medicine and technology:...
) to some of its operational vehicles and front line officers. This is steadily being rolled out across the force. Most front line officers now have their own PDA
PDA
A PDA is most commonly a Personal digital assistant, also known as a Personal data assistant, a mobile electronic device.PDA may also refer to:In science, medicine and technology:...
designed to assist the officer in his/her day to day tasks and allows them to spend more time out of the station.
Livery
Avon and Somerset Constabulary use the modern blue and yellow retro-reflective square Battenburg markingsBattenburg markings
Battenburg refers to a pattern of high-visibility markings used to maximise conspicuity, primarily used on vehicles of the emergency services, but also in other applications such as uniforms...
on all of its operational vehicles. This style of livery was introduced in 2005 when the traditional 'jam sandwich' style police markings were removed in favour of the new livery, which is thought to aid officers responding to emergency calls by allowing the public to quickly and clearly identify the vehicle as a police vehicle. The square livery also aids in the visibility of the force which is perceived to enhance public confidence. Marked vehicles also show the force website on the rear and 'POLICE' across the bonnet, however the force crest is no longer used on (most) cars.
Name
Avon and Somerset Constabulary has kept the same name since it was formed in 1974, before which its preceding forces had separate names.Strength and Recruitment
Avon and Somerset Constabulary employs 6,754 people and 428 volunteer Police Officers within the Special Constabulary. 3,365 are Police OfficersPolice officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
, 535 are Police Community Support Officers and 2,491 are support staff.
British Crime Survey
Avon and Somerset are making varied progress in fighting crime and maintaining public support. Overall 124,89 crimes were recorded in Avon and Somerset during 2009/10. Nationally recorded crime fell by 9%.This included a 22% fall in car crime, a 19% fall in fraud, a 13% fall for robbery and criminal damage. However assault and sex crimes rose by 1% and 'Other Crimes' including public order offences, dangerous driving, possession of firearms, going equipped for stealing, and perverting the course of justice rose by 26%.
In perceptions of police and crime, 65.2% of residents in Avon and Somerset believe that Avon and Somerset Constabulary is dealing with 'anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that lacks consideration for others and that may cause damage to society, whether intentionally or through negligence, as opposed to pro-social behaviour, behaviour that helps or benefits society...
and crime that matters' in their area.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary
For the year of 2009/10 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of ConstabularyHer Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland in the United Kingdom have statutory responsibility for the inspection of police forces.-England and Wales:...
rated Avon and Somerset Constabulary as 'Fair' all categories including 'Local Crime', 'Protection from harm' and 'Satisfaction and Confidence'. It was particularly 'Good' in 'Reducing road death and injury' and particularly 'Poor' in 'Comparative satisfaction of BME community'. In value for money the force received 'Medium/High' status.
Independent Police Complaints Commission
For the year of 2007/8 the Independent Police Complaints CommissionIndependent Police Complaints Commission
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is a non-departmental public body in England and Wales responsible for overseeing the system for handling complaints made against police forces in England and Wales.-Role:...
received 800 complaint cases, an increase of 18& from 2006/7, compared to a 0% increase nationally. From which 1231 allegations were made, including 'Other neglect or failure in duty' and 'Incivility, Impoliteness and Intolerance' both 6% and 3% respectively lower than the national average. Avon and Somerset Constabulary was second lowest in its seven strong peer group.
Of the 1231 allegations made, 40% were investigated, 8% higher than the national average, 41% were resolved locally and 19% were withdrawn, dispensed with or discontinued. Of the 40% investigated, 12% were substantiated and 88% were unsubstantiated.
Avon and Somerset Police Authority
Avon and Somerset Police Authority is an independent body of representatives for the community who work to ensure the police force stays effective, efficient and representative. It is made up of nine councillors and eight independent members; one of which is a magristrate. The responsible governing department is the Home OfficeHome Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
.
If the Government
Premiership of David Cameron
The premiership of David Cameron began on 11 May 2010 when Cameron accepted the Queen's invitation to form a government. This occurred upon the resignation of Cameron's predecessor as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown...
continues its plans to introduce an elected Police Commissioner
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
into every police force, then the Avon and Somerset Police Authority will be scrapped.
Proposed merger
In 2006 the Home OfficeHome Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
announced plans to reduce the number of police forces in the UK from 42 to 24 in an attempt to save money. The plans were abandoned later that year due to lack of funding for the mergers, however the idea has resurfaced many times.
The proposed idea would see Avon and Somerset Constabulary merge with Gloucestershire Constabulary
Gloucestershire Constabulary
Gloucestershire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Gloucestershire in England...
, Devon and Cornwall Police, Wiltshire Police and Dorset Police
Dorset Police
Dorset Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the English county of Dorset in the south-west of England.-History:Dorset County Constabulary was formed in 1855. On 1 October 1967 it merged with Bournemouth Borough Police to form Dorset and Bournemouth Constabulary...
to form a 'super police force'.
The plans have been publicly criticised by all the involved forces, stating that it would lead to poor quality service and a reduction in local policing.
- In February 2010 plans for a merger of the four South West police forces: Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Devon and Cornwall were re-evaluated by the Home Office in a bid to reduce spending. All of the forces except Avon and Somerset were against an amalgamation. Following this Avon and Somerset Constabulary began purchasing uniform and equipment without the force crest. Instead identifying marks just read 'Police' without a force crest or reference to Avon and Somerset, the proposed merger to create a South Western Police Force has still not been outruled as the Home Office and Central Government look to save funding.
Race and sex discrimination in recruitment
In 2006, the force admitted it had contravened the Sex Discrimination ActSex Discrimination Act 1975
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which protected men and women from discrimination on the grounds of sex or marriage. The Act concerned employment, training, education, harassment, the provision of goods and services, and the disposal of premises...
and Race Relations Act
Race Relations Act 1976
The Race Relations Act 1976 was established by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race.Items that are covered include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the provision of...
when it deselected 186 white
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
male candidates from its recruitment process solely because of their gender and race. Ralph Welsman, one of those discriminated against, sued the constabulary for their breach of employment laws and he received compensation in an out of court settlement. The policy was condemned by both the Police Federation
Police Federation of England and Wales
The Police Federation of England and Wales is the representative body to which all police officers in England and Wales up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector belong. There are 141,000 members as of July 2009...
and Commission for Racial Equality
Commission for Racial Equality
The Commission for Racial Equality was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom which aimed to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality. Its work has been merged into the new Equality and Human Rights Commission.-History:...
and it has now been abandoned.
Officers killed in the line of duty
The Police Memorial TrustPolice Memorial Trust
The Police Memorial Trust is a charitable organisation founded in 1984 and based in London. The trust's objective is to erect memorials to British police officers killed in the line of duty, at or near the spot where they died, thereby acting as a permanent reminder to the public of the sacrifice...
lists and commemorates all British police officers killed in the line of duty, and since its establishment in 1984 has erected over 38 memorials to some of those officers.
Since 1900, the following Avon and Somerset officers were killed while attempting to prevent or stop a crime in progress:
- Supt William Balkwill, 1900 (fatally injured while restraining a violent prisoner).
- DC Reginald Charles Grady, 1945 (collapsed and died during a violent arrest).
- PC Peter Leonard Deans and PC Jonathan Michael Stapley, 1984 (their vehicle crashed during a police pursuitCar chaseA car chase is the vehicular pursuit of a suspect by law enforcement officers. Car chases are often captured on film and broadcast due to the availability of video footage recorded by police cars and police and media helicopters participating in the chase...
). - WPC Deborah Leat, 1986 (her vehicle crashed during a police pursuit).
- PC Stephen Jones, 1999 (attempted to stop a stolen vehicle but was run over).
The Avon and Somerset Bobby Van Trust
The Avon and Somerset Bobby Van was set up in 2001, it is an independent charityCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
that provides home security improvements, fire prevention equipment and advice free of charge to victims of crime, the elderly and disadvantaged in Avon and Somerset.
The charity funds 'Bobby Vans' that are mobile workshops for 'Bobbies' who install equipment in people's homes free of charge. The operators are trained locksmiths, carpenters, crime reduction advisors and fire prevention advisors.
The Bobby Van Trust works closely with Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the fire services of Avon
Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is the fire and rescue service covering the unitary authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire in South West England.-History:...
and Somerset
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the counties of Devon and Somerset, including the unitary authorities of Plymouth and Torbay, in South West England...
. Although an independent charity the trust also receives funding from Bristol City Council.
See also
- List of police forces in the United Kingdom
- Policing in the United KingdomPolicing in the United KingdomLaw enforcement in the United Kingdom is organised separately in each of the legal systems of the United Kingdom: England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland ....
- Table of police forces in the United KingdomTable of police forces in the United KingdomThis table of police forces in the United Kingdom includes territorial police forces and special police forces. It does not include non-police law enforcement agencies or bodies of constables not constituted as police forces.-Table:-England and Wales:...
- reportMyloss.comReportMyloss.comreportMyloss.com is a web site for the reporting of lost property by the general public in the United Kingdom. It was launched in April 2008 and is endorsed by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, with which the information is shared.-History:...