The area has an impressive number of Farm Watch and Horse Watch members.  Beat officers continue to maintain regular contact with members, sharing information and giving crime prevention advice.

We would urge any farms, stables etc. that are not members of these schemes to contact us to discuss further and obtain details of how to join.

Please take note of the following crime prevention advice;

*Do not leave valuables in insecure outbuildings, particularly overnight.  Fit outbuildings with sturdy doors and locks where possible.

*Do not leave tools outside; they could be used to break in to your property.

*Make sure garage doors are kept locked and secure.  Consider ground locks for the doors, and ground anchors to secure bikes etc.

*Keep records of serial numbers, photograph your valuables, and mark your property using a property marking kit.

*If you have horse tack, get it marked with your postcode with a leather punching kit.  We will be running periodic tack-marking events so keep a look out on our events section.

*If possible, install security lighting, cameras or alarm systems.

*If you have gates, keep them shut whenever possible and ideally keep them locked, particularly overnight.

*Register off-road vehicles with the DVLA for free.  See www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration.  Think about fitting trackers to high value vehicles.

*Cut back vegetation that might shield a burglar from view, and remove items that a burglar could use to climb over walls and fences, eg. piles of pallets, recycling bins etc.

*Trailers and horse boxes could be stolen and used to transport other items, so keep them locked away or use a hitch-lock.

*Alert police if you see people who seem out of place or behaving suspiciously, such as vans loitering by your yard or vehicles idling outside of properties after dark.  Keep notes of vehicle registrations if you can, but don’t put yourself at risk to take them.

This is an ongoing priority, with regular patrols of rural areas, including farms and stables, to reassure the community and deter criminals from targeting them.

Road safety is one the main concerns of residents in the area.  The top issues being speeding and parking on pavements.

We work closely with the Speed Enforcement Unit, who use mobile camera vans and motorcycles to detect and deter people speeding at key locations.  We also have several active Community SpeedWatch (CSW) schemes in the villages.

Community SpeedWatch is a partnership between the Community, the Police and Local Authorities. It gives local people the ability to actively get involved in road safety.  Follow this link for more information, including details of how to get involved - Community SpeedWatch | Avon and Somerset Police

Parking on pavements and footways/paths is illegal.  It causes an obstruction, often forcing pedestrians into the road, which puts them at risk from traffic.  The team are monitoring particular problem locations, with penalty notices being issued where necessary.  If a vehicle is causing a serious obstruction it will be removed by one of our recovery contractors.

This is an ongoing priority.
Our officers have recently seized a vehicle for having no MOT or insurance and reported the driver for these offences.  They will appear in court in due course and are likely to be fined and receive points on their driving licence.
 

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

Reports can be made via - Report feeling unsafe in public spaces (StreetSafe) | Avon and Somerset Police or a walk and talk with a female officer can be arranged via - Walk and Talk | Avon and Somerset Police