AN important partnership between Avon and Somerset Police and defibrillator provider HeartSafe could help save lives.
Together, they have funded over 130 ‘bleed kits’, which will be installed alongside existing defibrillator cabinets across our county.
Emergency bleed kits are specifically designed to handle ‘catastrophic bleeding’.
They include items like dressings and a tourniquet, allowing bystanders and/or the injured person to provide immediate aid whilst waiting for the ambulance service to arrive at the scene.
Extra minutes can save lives. To find out where your nearest bleed kit is, please visit the HeartSafe website, www.heartsafe.org.uk.
September 9 marked Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day. This is a national day of recognition to promote the work of the emergency services, and emphasises the importance of responsible public use of them.
I want to say a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep us safe, and the difference they are making in our communities.
To mark the occasion, I attended a flag raising at City Hall in Bristol, hosted by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke.
On September 5, I hosted the first of our autumn councillor forums for the Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) area. The session gave councillors an opportunity to gain an overview of my Police and Crime Plan and what my office and local police have been doing since the last forums.
The Police and Crime Plan outlines my priorities and specific areas of focus for improvement, by the Chief Constable, and police officers and staff.
My four police and crime priorities are:
Preventing and fighting crime
Engaging, supporting and working with communities, victims and partner organisations
Leading the police to be efficient and effective
Increasing the legitimacy of, and public confidence in, the police and criminal justice system
Councillors regularly speak to local residents and hear first-hand their thoughts about policing and crime in their area.
Since becoming your PCC, it has been of utmost importance to work with councillors to ensure we are delivering effective and efficient policing across all local communities.
I will be hosting a forum for South Gloucestershire councillors in October and Bristol councillors in November. If you would like your local councillor to raise any of your concerns, please get in touch with them directly.
September 18 marked the start of National Rural Crime Week.
The impact of rural crime on its victims can be devastating.
Through the Rural Crime Forum, I meet with the public to discuss issues around crime in rural communities and find solutions that meet the whole community’s needs.