0:00:02 > 0:00:04Neighbourhood policing has come a long way
0:00:04 > 0:00:06since the days of Dixon Of Dock Green.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Good evening, all.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10The new generation of community police officers
0:00:10 > 0:00:14- have the power to strike hard... - Police search warrant!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- You're under arrest. - ..and tackle crime head on.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19YELLING Calm down!
0:00:19 > 0:00:21By engaging with people on the street...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- I know you and me always get on. - ..the teams can identify
0:00:24 > 0:00:27and crack down on the crimes that are crippling our communities.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29They are clearly violent individuals.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31- In this series of Neighbourhood Blues...- Happy birthday.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35..we're given unprecedented access to Somerset's neighbourhood teams...
0:00:35 > 0:00:39- I'm asking you not to street-drink. Go somewhere else.- BLEEP
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- ..as they battle to clear up crime...- Stand still.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Right, you're under arrest for assault.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48..and sweep the criminals clean from our streets.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Coming up, officers respond to a bun fight at a burger bar.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I get strangled and lifted up off the floor. So happy days(!)
0:01:14 > 0:01:18And a violent drug user launches a sickening attack.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Street-drinkers are a problem that every town encounters.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Groups of people drinking alcohol in town centres
0:01:33 > 0:01:35can be intimidating to passers by
0:01:35 > 0:01:38and can affect the business of nearby shops.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Here in Taunton, the neighbourhood teams
0:01:40 > 0:01:43and local council are tackling this antisocial behaviour
0:01:43 > 0:01:46by creating non-drinking zones,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50targeting areas where the street drinkers traditionally gathered.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53The scheme's been a great success, but unfortunately,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56there are always a few people who refuse to follow the rules.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02When it comes to policing the town's no-drinking zones,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04most of the responsibility
0:02:04 > 0:02:07falls on the shoulders of the Police Community Support Officers.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10On patrol today is Jade Tingley.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The town centre is a designated non-drinking zone,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16so anyone who has got alcohol,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18I do have the power to confiscate it off them.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Approaching the town centre, it isn't long
0:02:21 > 0:02:24before Jade encounters a couple drinking in the main square.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28All right, fella? Yeah, you can't consume alcohol in here.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30Are you new to Taunton?
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Right, OK. I don't know when you're moving on,
0:02:35 > 0:02:36but the whole of the town centre,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39you cannot consume alcohol, do you know that?
0:02:39 > 0:02:41I don't actually but now I know.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Right, now you know, so if you have alcohol and it's open,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47me or a colleague can come along and confiscate it off you, all right?
0:02:47 > 0:02:50I'm just going to take your details because I will take the alcohol.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53When they find someone drinking in a restricted zone,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58a PCSO has the power to confiscate all of the person's alcohol,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02whether it's open or not. Thankfully, this flexible fella
0:03:02 > 0:03:04doesn't seem to mind a bit!
0:03:05 > 0:03:09And he isn't the only one in high spirits today.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Bup-bup-bup-ba-dup...
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Coming from out of town, this pair were simply unaware
0:03:20 > 0:03:23of Taunton's crackdown on street-drinking.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25If you're going to have it, you need to do it out of the public
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and not in the town, all right? And then there won't be no issues.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- Thank you.- Happy? - Thank you very much.- No problem.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Thank you, guys, and I'm sorry for being a nuisance.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38That friendly couple were happy to comply with Taunton's drinking laws,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40but the town's seasoned street-drinkers
0:03:40 > 0:03:42are rarely as accommodating.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You can view the situation as a game of cat and mouse.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49We'll go to the next place and hopefully we'll catch up
0:03:49 > 0:03:51with the persistent street-drinkers.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Sure enough, it isn't long before Jade catches up
0:03:54 > 0:03:58with one of her regulars, drinking lager under a bridge.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00You're in the dedicated drinking zone
0:04:00 > 0:04:02which I told you this the other day when I dealt with you.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10I'm not asking you to move towns.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I'm asking you not to street-drink and go somewhere else.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Go down the canal.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18It's a nice, sunny day today and it hasn't rained at all.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20I'm asking you nicely,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and it's a case of walking ten minutes down there
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and you're out of the zone.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26It's not a difficult thing to be doing.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Jade's approach is firm but fair,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31however this fella has had a few cans
0:04:31 > 0:04:34and decides to give Jade a piece of his mind.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36At the end of the day, I understand your job.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I'm reasonable with you the majority of the time,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- but the police force following me around all- BLEEP- day,
0:04:41 > 0:04:42like I'm some sort of criminal...
0:04:42 > 0:04:46You don't need to swear, do you? I appreciate you're agitated.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- At the end of the day... - Not at the end of the day.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51..cos I'm getting angry and breaching the peace.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Because you need to control your temper.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55You're going to call 10,000 policemen because I'm having a hard life.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I appreciate you need to drink, but do it out of that way of town,
0:04:58 > 0:04:59then you keep your alcohol.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- But you keep your alcohol then. - Yeah, exactly.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04So is that not a win-win situation?
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I don't have to come and speak to you, and neither do my colleagues.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- You're not having it, Ben. - I thought you said I could keep it.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- That's closed, you're not allowed to take it away.- Yes, I can.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Because I have reason to believe you're going to drink it when I go.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Yes, I can, Ben, and I am.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Cos you're agitated as it is, because you've already...
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- BLEEP- you, then. Nick me.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The male feels that the police are persecuting him
0:05:25 > 0:05:29and has become abusive, but Jade knows she has to stand firm.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32You need to get your stuff and you need to move on.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Ben!
0:05:36 > 0:05:38The man has decided to take his frustration out
0:05:38 > 0:05:40by attacking our cameraman.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Jade calls for assistance.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44I've got Ben that's just attacked the cameraman I'm with.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Now you're going to get yourself in trouble
0:05:46 > 0:05:48because you've lost it.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- Because I've reacted to you because you're a stinking- BLEEP- pig.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52Am I?
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Face-to-face with a violent man, Jade has no option but to try
0:05:56 > 0:05:59and keep him calm until backup arrives.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- You wonder why you're- BLEEP- alive. You go around- BLEEP...
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Yeah, so what? That's a stab-proof vest.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- BLEEP- blade across your face. Do you know what I mean?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11- You think you're- BLEEP - something else
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- because you can- BLEEP - with homeless people.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Because you can boss a homeless person all the way up the- BLEEP- road.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19You're lucky I'm patient. You're lucky I'm patient.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- Don't threaten me. - I don't want to- BLEEP.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- Don't threaten me.- You're a woman. I'm not threatening you.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- You are, Ben. - I'm not threatening you.- You are.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28To Jade's relief, two officers have arrived.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- I'm very- BLEEP- off.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34And he's just threatened to stab me, throw me in the river,
0:06:34 > 0:06:35beat me up, the lot.
0:06:35 > 0:06:3815:25, you're under arrest on suspicion of assault at this moment.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Suspicion of assault?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- No-one's- BLEEP- bleeding, mate. No-one is- BLEEP- bleeding.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45..something that you later rely on in court.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Anything you do say may be given in evidence...
0:06:48 > 0:06:51You're going to tangle me up, are you?
0:06:51 > 0:06:53You're going to tangle me up, are you?
0:06:53 > 0:06:55I'm going to put you in custody, yes.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00You lot are chocolate bar policemen.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Thanks to his violent outburst, this fella is on his way to the cells.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11The aggressive male was found guilty for his attack on the cameraman
0:07:11 > 0:07:13and sentenced to one week in prison.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Later, the stakes are raised
0:07:17 > 0:07:20when Jade comes face-to-face with the street-drinker once again.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Stay there, Ben!
0:07:31 > 0:07:35The neighbourhood policing team know that teamwork is essential
0:07:35 > 0:07:36to their success.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Not just within their own ranks
0:07:38 > 0:07:42but also in the way they integrate with the whole community.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Just about every aspect of what we do, we couldn't achieve it
0:07:46 > 0:07:50unless we were working in partnership with the council,
0:07:50 > 0:07:56with housing, with CCTV, with South West Businesses Against Crime.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59It's all a huge team effort.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05In Taunton, that vital partnership is in action once again.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07The town's security network has asked the police
0:08:07 > 0:08:09to respond to a disturbance.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Officers Ben Smith and Adam Moore are en route.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17We've got a report of an assault at a McDonald's.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20The offender's still inside so we're going to head up there now.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23To ensure nobody leaves the scene before they can be interviewed,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26CCTV operators are watching the fast-food joint
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and are keeping Ben and Adam updated.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Have we still got this lot on camera outside McDonald's?
0:08:33 > 0:08:37VOICE OVER RADIO: Three of them outside, two females, one male,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41and they're currently just standing outside McDonald's.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44As they arrive, a young woman is keen to tell her side of the story.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- What's going on?- I called you because- BLEEP- is in there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Gone to the toilet. She's been assaulted as well.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53She's got a swollen eye.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54I've been assaulted in the process...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56How have you done that?
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Trying to separate him and- BLEEP.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- And basically- BLEEP- is in there with a swollen eye and everything.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Obviously distressed, this lady's claiming that she, her partner
0:09:07 > 0:09:10and her friend have all been assaulted in the burger restaurant.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16The man they have accused is still inside with his family.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Adam fetches him to hear his side of the story.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27His version of events is different to the trio's outside.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Come over to me, walked towards me threateningly
0:09:30 > 0:09:32and then started shouting at me,
0:09:32 > 0:09:37so I reacted and grabbed him by the throat and that's basically it.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41The man admits that he did grab the other guy,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44but he's adamant that it was in self-defence.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05Ben and Adam are now faced with two completely different stories.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- Basically there was an instigation with- BLEEP
0:10:08 > 0:10:10and my partner four or five weeks ago.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12He pushed over my partner, so in McDonald's today,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14I just sort of like friendly words of advice.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I went into his face to ask him to leave my missus alone
0:10:17 > 0:10:18and not to lay a finger on her again,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and this all happened by him getting violent and abusive.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25So... And I get strangled and lifted up off the floor. So happy days(!)
0:10:25 > 0:10:27He just literally put both hands out,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29lifted my partner up off the floor and that was it.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32And then we got in the middle and got hurt trying to separate them
0:10:32 > 0:10:35and we've been kicked out of McDonald's when it's not our fault.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Ridiculous.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40The accusations that are being made against this man are serious
0:10:40 > 0:10:43and if they are true, he could be facing an assault charge.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48There is CCTV and it shows the incident quite clearly.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50The decision is now down to the police officer
0:10:50 > 0:10:52as to what action to take.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The neighbourhood team want to cause as little disruption as possible
0:10:55 > 0:10:59to the restaurant and the public, so happy they have heard enough,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02it's time to send the quarrelling diners on their way.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Back at Taunton Police Station, Ben sits down with the CCTV
0:11:18 > 0:11:20to see if it can throw some light on what happened.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24This gentleman here was identified as being
0:11:24 > 0:11:27the possible suspect, in the white hat.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29This is his partner, here, and his kids.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30The initial report that we had was
0:11:30 > 0:11:33that he has assaulted three individuals.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Obviously we turned up and there were three people outside
0:11:37 > 0:11:41all claiming to have been victims of assault by this male.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44So this is the other male. The victim.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48And at that point, I think it's fair to say
0:11:48 > 0:11:51that that is an aggressive move.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54It's believed by the police officers that the reaction
0:11:54 > 0:11:57by the offender is actually a move of self-defence.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01With no sound on the CCTV, the police will probably never know
0:12:01 > 0:12:05what really happened inside the burger bar, but what they do know
0:12:05 > 0:12:08is the sitting man did not make an unprovoked attack.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16But thanks to the CCTV, a completely different story
0:12:16 > 0:12:18to the original complaint has been uncovered,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22and the man with his family was entirely cleared of any wrongdoing.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Every time we go to an incident we've always got two sides.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27And whilst we'd love to believe what everyone says,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29CCTV is a medium that we can use
0:12:29 > 0:12:33just to help us make a more informed decision.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It's not infallible. It's, um...
0:12:36 > 0:12:39We only see the visual, we don't see what's being said.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42The police charged the man waiting for the officers
0:12:42 > 0:12:45with a public order offence, but the charge was later dropped.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55We've all seen people begging for money on busy high streets
0:12:55 > 0:12:57or on public transport.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59When the beggars are persistent or aggressive,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02it can be extremely intimidating
0:13:02 > 0:13:04to the members of the public they are engaging.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08It's a tragic situation but also an illegal one.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13In Weston-super-Mare, CCTV operators have spotted
0:13:13 > 0:13:15a well-known beggar in the town centre.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Wearing a white chequered shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22he can clearly be seen approaching random members of the public.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29After several failed attempts,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32he's found someone prepared to hand over some cash.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34But what he doesn't realise
0:13:34 > 0:13:37is that CCTV operators have called in the neighbourhood team.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Town officer Sam Walton is eager to speak to the beggar
0:13:43 > 0:13:45as he is also wanted for another offence.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52We've had a report of a beggar in town and it's a regular problem.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54The name that's been given to us
0:13:54 > 0:13:58by the CCTV operators is somebody who is currently wanted
0:13:58 > 0:14:01by myself for two lots of theft in the town centre.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06His last location was heading up the ramp towards Tesco.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08We're just going to see if we can detain him.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12In this security footage, the same man can be seen stealing
0:14:12 > 0:14:15a large bar of chocolate from a local newsagents.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20CCTV operators have called in a street warden to watch the man
0:14:20 > 0:14:21until the officers arrive.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- I'm PC Sam Walton from Weston Police Station.- Hi, sweetheart.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28I'm arresting you on suspicion of theft from McColl's on 30th April.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Are you going to walk with me?
0:14:33 > 0:14:36The shoplifting offence occurred several weeks ago,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39but this guy's claiming he hasn't been to the shop
0:14:39 > 0:14:41and doesn't even know where it is.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- Where's McColl's? - On the high street.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45I've never stolen from there.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46OK, well, when we get back to the station,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48we'll go through the CCTV and we'll have a look.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I've never stolen from there. What, today?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52No, it was on the 30th of April.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Despite being told that he's been identified on camera,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59this chap is adamant that he's innocent.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03And as he's booked in at Weston Police Station,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05he's sticking to his story.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- But I don't thieve, I don't steal. - Shop?
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Shop theft, yeah. Do you want the dates?
0:15:10 > 0:15:11Listen, if I can't listen to Sam,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13I can't understand why you're being booked in.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Sorry, Sam. Sorry, Sergeant. Sorry.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17Right, place of arrest?
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Outside of Tesco, Station Road.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Selected a chocolate bar.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25What?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28A large chocolate bar.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32I can't even remember doing that then. Because I don't shoplift.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35You can check my record. I don't do anything like that.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37He concealed it in his jacket
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and left the store making no attempt to pay.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It takes more than crocodile tears to sway Sam.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48She's seen the CCTV footage
0:15:48 > 0:15:52and unless this man's got a twin - he's guilty.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56I really did not. I know for a fact that I did not.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59OK, well, we'll get the matter resolved in interview,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01all right, John? I'll show you the CCTV.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It's all beginning to sink in for this fella,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and his memory seems to be improving with regards the bar of chocolate.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13The chocolate bar, it kind of does ring a bit of a bell.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15I might have been a little bit worse for wear.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18When you're in interview, John, you can talk about it there.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21When you see the CCTV, it'll make it a bit easier for you, I expect.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Having suggested that he may have stolen the chocolate after all,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27he's taken to the cells until he can be interviewed.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Pop yourself on the chair for me.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Under interview, and having seen the CCTV with his own eyes,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36he did admit to stealing the chocolate bar.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41But with no other recent convictions for theft
0:16:41 > 0:16:43and because of the low value of the item,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45he was released with a caution.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Earlier, we saw neighbourhood officer Jade Tingley
0:16:55 > 0:16:58dealing with street-drinkers in Taunton.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01In a single shift, she experienced both the good side
0:17:01 > 0:17:02of dealing with the public...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05..and the bad.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Yeah, so what? That's a stab-proof vest,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- I'll- BLEEP- blade across your face.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14One week later, Jade's responding to a call from a member of the public.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Someone has been seen using drugs in a nearby car park.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Put your cameras up, please. Wood Street Car Park,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23apparently by the machine there's a male who's injecting.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24I'm just on my way.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27VOICE OVER RADIO:
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Just pulling in, thanks.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35CCTV operators have located the man...
0:17:35 > 0:17:38and direct Jade straight to him.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39With a heavy heart,
0:17:39 > 0:17:44Jade realises that this is the man she dealt with seven days ago.
0:17:44 > 0:17:45- BLEEP- off!
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Ben! Now of course you're going to get yourself in trouble
0:17:48 > 0:17:49because you're lost it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- Because I've reacted to you because you're a stinking- BLEEP- pig.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Am I?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01This time, the man is in no mood to hang around
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and is making a run for it.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05In a sickening move, the man has swung round
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and is threatening to stab Jade with a syringe.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Shaken by the outrageous move, Jade cautiously pursues him.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Hypodermic needles used by drug users are a constant hazard
0:18:21 > 0:18:24to the neighbourhood team, and a potentially lethal one.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Blood from an uncapped needle can result in Hepatitis, HIV,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32or a frightening array of other diseases.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Stay there, Ben!
0:18:35 > 0:18:36Back up's on the way.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41This guy's erratic behaviour means that he's a threat to both Jade
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and other members of the public.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Six-one-zero-one, still on Wood Street.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Going back into the car park.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53The man had been spotted taking drugs before Jade arrived,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56and his unpredictable behaviour supports this.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00I am, he's lying in the floor.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03SIRENS WAIL
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- Ben.- Yeah?- Backup has arrived.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17What's going on?
0:19:17 > 0:19:20The man has already threatened Jade with a needle
0:19:20 > 0:19:23so they are going to have to act with extreme caution.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Get your hands out your pockets.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Hand out of your pockets.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Get your hands out your pockets.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39Stay still!
0:19:40 > 0:19:41With the suspect restrained,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44the officers need to know where the syringe is.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Did he drop the needle or do you not know?
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Yeah, it's over there. He basically put it in his pocket,
0:19:50 > 0:19:55ran off, then ran towards me with it, then dropped it on the floor,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57ran across the road and then when he ran back to me,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00he was like this, running towards me, then went the other side.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03But he's hidden whatever he was going to inject back over there
0:20:03 > 0:20:06so are you all right with him while I go and get that?
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Yeah, go and have a look.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10I'm just going to go and recover what he's hidden.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15This is the needle he obviously come running at me with.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18It's uncapped, still with the point in it.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21At the spot where Jade found the man,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24she's discovered gear associated with injecting drugs.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29The substance will have to go off and get tested.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31It's not known at this stage what the drugs are,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34but the team have also recovered four syringes.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37And all of this in an area used every day
0:20:37 > 0:20:38by shoppers heading into town.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44A van is on its way to take the prisoner into custody.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46YELLING
0:20:46 > 0:20:49It's been another pulse-racing incident for Jade,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and also an alarming sight for the members of the public
0:20:52 > 0:20:54who witnessed the incident.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56He's extremely high on something.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00The police have dealt with it very effectively and very fast.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05And...they had a lot of trouble with the chap.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11The needle-wielding man was charged with a public order offence,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and at court was fined £93.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17The substance that he had been injecting
0:21:17 > 0:21:19was later identified as a legal high.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Earlier, we saw a beggar in Weston-super-Mare
0:21:28 > 0:21:32approaching members of the public and asking for money.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34The issue affects the whole country
0:21:34 > 0:21:38but in the historic city of Bath it's a major problem.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42The constant influx of tourists attracts beggars from far and wide,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46hoping they can cash in on the emotions of affluent visitors.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48There is also a disturbing trend
0:21:48 > 0:21:52for people to pretend to be homeless to supplement their income.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57One man is believed to have earned over £23,000 in a single year
0:21:57 > 0:21:59through begging alone.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03PCSOs Brian Harris and Julie Durbin
0:22:03 > 0:22:05are dealing with one of the city's regular beggars.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Just going down to check on one of our prolific beggars
0:22:09 > 0:22:12down on the bridge at Sainsbury's.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17She's a female that's been in one of the local papers for begging.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19The woman has been known to the neighbourhood team
0:22:19 > 0:22:21for the best part of ten years,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25and in the past has been given an ASBO for her persistent begging.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27It just drains our resources a little bit
0:22:27 > 0:22:30because she just won't stay away.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33No matter how many complaints we get, she just won't keep away.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Yeah, she's there.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Sure enough, despite the endless warnings,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42the woman is in her usual place at the end of the footbridge.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Nicola.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Nicola, we need a word with you, please.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Could you come over? - Yes, of course.- All right?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56We need your details, your home address,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59because they'll be a warrant out for your arrest otherwise.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Yes, no, no. Sorry.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Because you didn't know what it was the other day, did you?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Unbelievably, this smartly-dressed, well-spoken woman
0:23:07 > 0:23:10is one of the city's most notorious beggars.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11She is not homeless
0:23:11 > 0:23:14and is believed to make a comfortable living from begging.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16When police caught her last week,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19she gave the officers an incorrect address.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- We need the full address. - Postcode as well.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24And the postcode, cos there'll be a warrant out for your arrest otherwise
0:23:24 > 0:23:26and I don't want that and Brian don't want that.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- BLEEP- will be coming into town,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30if I give him a text, I can get him to bring it down with him.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33We don't want you to end up with a warrant for your arrest.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36A report for summons is a lot easier to deal with
0:23:36 > 0:23:39than if you're wanted by us and we all start chasing you
0:23:39 > 0:23:42and then you end up in the clink and it can get worse.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Have you got a mobile number?
0:23:43 > 0:23:46The woman is a constant challenge for the police.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48It's hard for them to arrest her,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51as she doesn't actually ask people for money.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Instead, she sits with her head bowed
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and waits for people to take pity on her.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58You've really got to try and stop begging on this bridge though,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Nicola, because if you keep getting reported,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04they're going to get an ASBO out for you again, aren't they?
0:24:04 > 0:24:05And that's what you don't want
0:24:05 > 0:24:08because you'll end up going back to prison at the end of that.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Right, here we go, it's 07- BLEEP...
0:24:10 > 0:24:13We need the details today, though, Nicola, all right?
0:24:14 > 0:24:15All right?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Lovely, make sure you stay off the bridge for the rest of the day,
0:24:18 > 0:24:20though, won't you?
0:24:20 > 0:24:22They've moved her on for now but Julie knows that it
0:24:22 > 0:24:25probably won't be long before they are dealing with her again.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28We need to get this young lady sorted out, really,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and get her off this bridge.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33If we can, get an ASBO up
0:24:33 > 0:24:36and try and sort it out that way.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41The lady has subsequently been fined £50 for begging.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47The neighbourhood team are attempting to extend the boundaries
0:24:47 > 0:24:52of her ASBO in an effort to crack down on her antisocial activities.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57The police have recognised that the only way
0:24:57 > 0:25:01to crack down on the beggars is to adopt a double-pronged attack.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Not only do they need to tackle the beggars themselves,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07but they also need to educate the public.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10I've actually given a person money and followed him
0:25:10 > 0:25:14and he's gone straight into... and he comes out with a beer,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16so I don't do that any more. I just do not do it.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18You never understand the situation that people are in
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and why they're on the street so me, personally,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26if I do see them, I do tend to give them something to eat.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31In the past, it's been proved that they're not really beggars
0:25:31 > 0:25:32or they're not destitute.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Today some of Bath's police cadets are taking to the streets
0:25:37 > 0:25:39to help the neighbourhood team with a new campaign
0:25:39 > 0:25:42that aims to highlight the dangers of giving money to beggars.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Sergeant Geoff Cannon is the officer in charge.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51We're going to assist with the Kindness Can Kill campaign,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54which is basically a campaign to educate people
0:25:54 > 0:25:57not to give cash to beggars and homeless people on the street,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00but to help them in other ways.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04The cadets scheme is run to promote policing to young people,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07aimed at teenagers between 14 and 17.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09As with any police operation,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12the evening begins with the cadets being briefed
0:26:12 > 0:26:15on what they're going to be doing and what's expected of them.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17We are going out this evening to go on the streets
0:26:17 > 0:26:19of the city centre of Bath to promote
0:26:19 > 0:26:22the Kindness Can Kill campaign.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25What I'm really looking for from you tonight though is to talk
0:26:25 > 0:26:29to people out there, members of the public, homeless people.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34As they take to the streets, Geoff's keen to get the cadets
0:26:34 > 0:26:36putting their people skills into practice.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Shall we have a chat with this lady here, look?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41OK, would you like to explain...?
0:26:41 > 0:26:42Scott, don't be shy.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45You know when you go up to someone and you might give them your money
0:26:45 > 0:26:47because you feel sad for them,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50when they're sitting on the streets and they're all cold?
0:26:50 > 0:26:51That could actually kill them
0:26:51 > 0:26:53if they're spending it on drugs or something like that.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57It's not necessarily the best way to help people by giving them cash
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- because they may spend it unwisely. - No, that's for sure, yeah.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02- Thank you very much for your time. - You're welcome.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05And welcome to Bath. Have a nice time while you're here.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I love to be here.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Scott, well done, mate. A good start.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Thanks to the hard work of the cadets,
0:27:11 > 0:27:15the message of the Kindness Can Kill campaign is really hitting home.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I think this campaign's really important.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20It's good to educate the public that they can really help the homeless,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23but not by giving money to people who may well use it on drugs
0:27:23 > 0:27:26but instead to support this project here and to buy the Big Issue
0:27:26 > 0:27:28from genuine Big Issue sellers.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31It's been a long evening,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34but Geoff is delighted with the way the youngest members
0:27:34 > 0:27:37of the neighbourhood team have handled themselves.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40It's great for the cadets to do this because it's helping them
0:27:40 > 0:27:43develop their own personality, their characters
0:27:43 > 0:27:46and do you know what, it's bringing some of them out of their shells
0:27:46 > 0:27:48and we've seen that just tonight alone.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51And seeing the response they get back from members of the public
0:27:51 > 0:27:54out there and seeing them grow in stature
0:27:54 > 0:27:56and their confidence build is fantastic.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04It's great to see young people taking an interest in the police
0:28:04 > 0:28:06and their community.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08The cadets are just one example of the many ways
0:28:08 > 0:28:11in which the neighbourhood team work alongside their partners
0:28:11 > 0:28:14to make our streets safer places to live.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15See you next time.