Archie Flook, the new PCSO for Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke, has finished his training and tutoring and is now fully active within the local neighbourhood beat area. He is keen to establish a good relationship with the community and “make himself known” to local residents so that people will feel comfortable approaching him with any issues or concerns they may have.

Working alongside beat manager Julie Rudyard, Archie’s job is to work with members of the community to make the area a safe place to live and work. Although his role is extensive, some of his key responsibilities are to:

• Offer advice on crime prevention
• Deal with anti-social behaviour
• Talk with young people and visit schools
• Make house visits to reassure people and gather intelligence
• Provide support at large public gatherings
• Attend Community Engagement Forums and beat surgeries

Archie is thoroughly enjoying his new role, saying: “We are the main point of contact for the area which is a good task to be given. We have gone back to neighbourhood policing, which means we get to spend more time in the community speaking to the local residents. I get to stay with a job and see it through to the end.”

There has been some concern over the last few months about the lack of PCSOs on the streets of Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke as the year began without a single PCSO in the area. Hopefully members of the community will now be reassured as they see Archie out and about. Julie has also confirmed that recruitment is ongoing for the other PCSO position that is available.

Julie and Archie have been given laptops so that they are able to work away from the station. This has been an invaluable resource for them as it means they can spend more time in the community. Julie said: “Having laptops that we can carry around with us gives us the opportunity to engage with the community as well as getting our admin work done. So, if you see us sitting in a café, we’re not just having a cup of coffee! We’re also working, so come over and speak to us if you have an issue that you want to discuss.”

More: Weekly beat surgeries at Little Stoke Community Hall »

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A man has been arrested and suspected stolen property recovered after police stopped a car in Stoke Giford this morning (Friday 19th April).

Officers patrolling the area spotted a blue Citroen Picasso suspected of being involved in a number of recent incidents in which items have been stolen from vehicles.

When they attempted to stop the car on Coldharbour Lane, the occupants got out and ran away on foot.

One man, aged in his 30s, has since been arrested,while a search for the others involved is ongoing.

Inside the Picasso, which had false registration plates, were a number of power tools which are believed to have been stolen.

The vehicle will now be examined for evidence.

PC Ross Calderwood said:

“We fully appreciate the detrimental impact this type of crime has on hardworking tradespeople.”

“When vehicles are broken into they often need to be taken off the road for repair and tools need to be replaced resulting in periods in which people can’t work.”

“Thanks to the keen eyes of the officers out patrolling today, we’ve managed to arrest at least one man suspected of being involved in this type of crime and are now in the process of trying to reunite some of the recovered tools with their rightful owners.”

More: Tips for making life harder for criminals »

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Police are appealing for witnesses after three men used hammers to smash their way into a Stoke Gifford pensioner’s home and steal a large amount of cash.

The incident, in the Elizabeth Crescent area, happened on Wednesday 20th February at about 6.50pm.

The victim, a man in his seventies, had been saving up the cash as a charity donation.

During the burglary, the man was pushed back into his chair several times when he tried to get up.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said:

“The men are described as white, with two that looked like they were in their twenties and one who looked older, possibly in his thirties.”

Anyone with information that they think could help is asked to make contact by phoning 101, quoting reference number 5219038281 and asking to speak with PC 4758 Allen.

Source: News item from Avon and Somerset Police.

Editor’s note: We asked why nearly two weeks had passed before this witness appeal was issued. A spokesperson explained that, in general, the decision to make a public appeal is led by the investigating officer, who may choose to follow up existing leads first.

The spokesperson added: “Sometimes an early press appeal may compromise the investigation in some way.”

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Police are urging people to be alert and check on vulnerable elderly relatives and friends after a spate of distraction burglaries at senior citizens’ homes in the past week, including one in Little Stoke.

On Tuesday 18th December, between 7pm and 7.15pm, a man claiming to be a police officer called on a 92-year-old man in Kingsway, Little Stoke. He kept the householder talking, claiming there had been a burglary, while a second suspect got in through a back door and stole cash. The caller was described as a white man in his 30s, about 5ft 6ins tall, wearing a smart jacket and with his face partially covered. The second suspect wasn’t seen.

Similar incidents were reported on Tuesday in Brentry (where a 90-year-old woman was the victim) and Hillfields (targeting a 94-year-old woman).

Two further incidents were reported on Wednesday (19th December), one in Henleaze (where a 91-year-old woman was the victim) and the second in Bath (targeting a 71-year-old woman).

Full details of the other five incidents are available on the Avon and Somerset Police website.

Detective Sergeant Laura Miller said:

“Any genuine police officer will expect to show you identification and to wait while you call 101 to verify it, if you’re unsure. We’ve carried out house-to-house enquiries and issued an alert through Neighbourhood Watch. This sort of doorstep crime is quite rare. However it can be very distressing for vulnerable older people and we’re targeting our patrols in the area to provide reassurance.”

“Please make your family or friends aware of these incidents and talk to them about the simple steps they can take to deter these criminals. If you see someone acting suspiciously at a neighbour’s property, call us straight away. Ring 999 if a crime is being committed, otherwise call 101.”

If you have any information which could help the police investigation, get in touch through www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting reference number 5218279290.

More: Doorstep crime prevention tips »

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