Latest news with #AvonandSomerset
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Youths trespassing at 'extremely unsafe' Portishead building
Three youths wearing ski masks and balaclavas have been trespassing at an "extremely unsafe" abandoned care home, police have and Somerset Police said it had received multiple reports of the unauthorised entry and further damage to the former Petersfield Elderly Persons Home in Portishead. The security system at the building detected motion from the youths on 11 owners of the building were aware of the incidents and had been given security advice, police said. Anybody with information has been asked to contact the force. One of the youths has already been identified by officers, the force said. Officers added the building was not deemed safe to be entered by anyone other than qualified tradesmen. Police said the young people gained access to the site via the south boundary wall near Parsonage Court, which caused distress to residents. Sgt Timothy Stride, from the North Portishead and Clevedon neighbourhood policing team, urged people to stay away for their own safety. "The building is unsafe and anybody who accesses it is at risk of serious injury, or worse, and we are urging parents to make sure they know where their children are and to make sure they are aware of the dangers they potentially face at this site."The risks are not only associated within the building, but trying to gain access via rooftops is particularly dangerous."What we want to reiterate is this building is extremely unsafe, and people should stop trying to access it," he patrols will be carried out by officers in the area.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Police reveal outcome of Kneecap Glastonbury probe
Irish rap trio Kneecap will face no further action from Avon and Somerset Police following an investigation into their Glastonbury performance. Police concluded there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence" after reviewing video and audio recordings. The investigation was launched in June after officers examined footage from both Kneecap's and punk duo Bob Vylan 's sets at the festival. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they are still investigating comments made by rapper Bobby Vylan, who led chants of, "Death, death to the IDF". A Kneecap member had joked about fans starting a riot at a bandmate's upcoming court appearance related to a terrorism charge, later clarifying it was for "love and support, and support for Palestine".
BBC News
06-07-2025
- BBC News
Police arrest 37 in major county lines crackdown
Thirty-seven people have been arrested across the West of England in a major operation targeting drug supply networks. Police from Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire seized £35,700 in cash, as well as drugs including heroin, cannabis and cocaine. Officers were carrying out a regional week of action from 23 to 29 June as part of Operation police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said: "Criminals rely on gaps in awareness and accountability, and we are working to close those gaps across the region." The three police forces also teamed up with Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).In total across the five regions, police arrested 102 people and seized 66kg of cocaine, 14kg of cannabis and £119,000 in vehicles were also seized, including six officers shut down 29 suspected county lines – mobile phone lines used to take orders of this latest stage of Operation Scorpion, policing teams targeted those who exploit children and vulnerable people to supply and store Con Andy Hill of SWROCU said it was a "stark reality" that the average age of someone controlling a drugs line is 21, and the average age of a drug runner is just 15 to 17. In Wiltshire, 25 people were arrested including eight drug line holders, who were charged and remanded in custody. Officers disrupted and removed 14 drug lines from operation, in addition to seizing 15 offensive weapons including a firearm, a stun gun disguised as a torch, knives and force also seized 1.3kg of cannabis found in carrier bags and 107 MDMA Ch Insp Charlotte Tucker, of Wiltshire Police, said: "We will continue to work together to tackle these issues and make the South West a hostile environment for these suspected criminals to operate in." Avon and Somerset Police engaged with industries that may be unknowingly helping drug supply spoke to staff at hotels, private hire companies and postal services to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and encourage staff to report any suspicions or also spoke to around 1,000 taxi Police, meanwhile, visited homes where concerns had been raised about potential cuckooing – where a drug dealer takes over a vulnerable person's address and uses it as a base to commit people were safeguarded as a result, and officers worked with partner agencies to put measures in place to ensure a long-term plan for their support. 'United approach' The force's police and crime commissioner, Chris Nelson, said: "Combining the resources of all of the region's forces demonstrates a united approach to policing in an attempt to reduce the serious harm and violence caused by drugs. "By recognising the signs and behaviour to look out for, we can all play our part in smashing these gangs and send a clear message that this region will not tolerate this harmful criminal activity."
