Gloucestershire Constabulary has taken further positive action throughout August as part of the national Safer Streets Summer initiative, which is running until the end of September to make town and city centres safer by tackling shoplifting, street crime and anti-social behaviour.
Key outcomes from August include:
- 33 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters seized during a day of action in Gloucester, with additional seizures in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.
- 22 arrests for offences including robbery, theft, vandalism and assaults.
- 23 out of court disposals issued for offences related to anti-social behaviour, retail crime and street crime.
- A joint operation in Gloucester supported by the Drone Unit, leading to over 30 illegal vehicles seized and a Notice of Intended Prosecution issued to one man who attempted to flee.
- The seizure of around £3,000 worth of illegal vapes and 13 suspected counterfeit Labubu dolls, with support from Immigration and Trading Standards colleagues.
Elsewhere in the county, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been implemented in Cheltenham and Gloucester following patrols which identified incidents of street drinking. These powers allow officers to require people to dispose of open alcohol containers in public or face a Fixed Penalty Notice. Sealed containers can also be seized if there is a risk of anti-social behaviour.
In addition, officers have been working with local businesses and bars to ensure incidents are reported promptly. Combined policing efforts across the county saw 1,039 hours of foot patrols carried out during August.
Chief Inspector Marcus Forbes-George said: “I am pleased with the continued success of the Safer Streets Summer initiative. All of the good work that has taken place clearly demonstrates the difference that the initiative is having in towns and city centres across Gloucestershire. There has been a lot of praise from members of the public who have seen officers taking part in proactive activity, and I would like to once again thank everyone who has played a part in making the streets of Gloucestershire as safe as possible.”
The Safer Streets Summer initiative began on 30 June and will run until the end of September.
