We are committed to making the night-time economy (NTE) a safe place for all in Bath. In particular, we have a focus on ensuring Women and Girls are free from harassment, violence and other offences associated with the NTE.

Further to this, with the academic year fast approaching, we are working with partners to prepare for the arrival of students back into the city.

Over the summer we have already been working hard to achieve this:

• We have worked with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to launch extensive, free training for those that work in our Night Time Economy. This training focuses on identifying vulnerabilities and becoming an active bystander. This training is still available and you can learn more here: Free Bystander Intervention Training for night time economy workers | OPCC for Avon and Somerset (avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk)
• The Bath Neighbourhood Teams have completed 'Project Vigilant' training, enabling us to undertake deployments specifically designed to target perpetrators of sexual harassment and violence in the NTE. Learn more about Project Vigilant here: Project Vigilant – preventing sexual violence | College of Policing

Friday 16th May – Nightclub Drug Trace Testing
On the evening of Friday 16th May, assisted by the Bath Outers Beat Team, we carried out a drug trace testing operation at Labyrinth Nightclub in Bath City Centre.
These operations are designed to detect and prevent drugs commonly used in drink spiking from entering our Night Time Economy venues. We also use these deployments as an opportunity to engage with customers and offer personal safety advice.
Over 50 people were tested entering the venue, none of whom returned any trace for drugs. We’d like to thank the venue and staff for their collaboration in hosting us for this deployment.
 

The above issue is a forcewide priority for Avon and Somerset Constabulary to make women feel safer walking, predominantly after dark, in their communities.

This work ties in closely with our efforts to make our City Centre Night-Time Economy a safer place for all. See our other listed priority for more details:

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area/bath-city-centre/priorities/safety-in-our-night-time-economy/

Friday 16th May – Project Vigilant Deployment
On the evening of Friday 16th May, assisted by the Bath Outers Beat Team a Project Vigilant deployment was carried out in Bath City Centre.
Project Vigilant is a bespoke operation involving specially trained officers that targets predatory behaviours in the Night Time Economy, especially those aimed towards women and girls.
We deployed officers during ‘Party In The City’ events in the City Centre where hi-vis Officers engaged with revellers while plain clothes officers monitored crowds, looking out for inappropriate behaviours.
 

We understand the impact that shoplifting is having on businesses in the City Centre. 

We are working with shops to help them report accurately and effectively, targeting our most prolific offenders.

We are conducting proactive patrols in hotspot areas, and around stores most effected by shoplifters.

We host a monthly Retailers Security Meeting alongside Bath BID. At this meeting we help stores identify regular shoplifters, and bring their attention to any new offenders and offending trends.

Recent Positive Results:
Alongside Bath BID and our local business community, the City Centre Neighbourhood Team continue to pursue our most prolific shoplifters. We recently secured a conviction and 12 month prison sentence for shoplifting and other theft offences for one of the cities most well known offenders.
With assistance from our Antisocial Behaviour Team we’ve successfully issued a range of Community Protection Warnings, Community Protection Notices, and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, with Criminal Behaviour Orders in progress for more harmful offenders.

We are working hard to combat drug-related crime and ASB in the City Centre. 

We have recently carried out successful warrants at addresses linked to drug use and dealing with positive results, including: Teenager charged and three others arrested in drugs supply enquiry - Bath | Avon and Somerset Police

Officers have also taken part in training alongside Night-Time Economy partners including Door Staff, Suicide Prevention Volunteers and BID Night Marshals on how to identify, and treat drug overdoses using Naloxone

We regularly patrol hotspots identified as locations where use and dealing takes place. We rely heavily on community led intelligence to inform these patrols, as well as support evidence for warrants to go into addresses. You can report your concerns in person or online at Report drug dealing and use | Avon and Somerset Police

 
We are continuing to pursue drug related Crime and Antisocial Behaviour at the start of the new year.
Recently we have issued three new Community Protection Warnings to offenders regularly causing issues for local businesses.
This week we also arrested a male during a proactive operation targeting drug dealing hotspots. The male was found in possession of a quantity of cash and wraps of suspected Class A. He has been recalled to prison and remains under investigation.
We have also stepped up our safeguarding and cuckooing checks on the most vulnerable members of our community. Visits like these are informed by intelligence provided by the public. Please get in touch with us if you have any concerns about any friends, family or neighbours you feel may be being exploited at home.