0:00:03 > 0:00:04The friendly, caring bobby
0:00:04 > 0:00:07pounding the beat has always been the hallmark of British policing...
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Fantastic. Pleasure's been all mine, my friend.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..and has even been immortalised on film by the fictional
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Dixon of Dock Green.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Good evening, all.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Today's neighbourhood police teams continue that tradition,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25but also tackle the root causes of crime head on...
0:00:26 > 0:00:28..by targeting known hot spots...
0:00:28 > 0:00:29Unlucky!
0:00:29 > 0:00:31..stamping down on antisocial behaviour...
0:00:31 > 0:00:34I'm arresting you for a public-order offence.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36..and waging war on illegal drugs.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38I can smell cannabis already.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40In this new series of Neighbourhood Blues,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43we follow the police men and women of Somerset
0:00:43 > 0:00:47as they continue their quest to make our streets a safer place.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Coming up...
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Police are surrounded on a troublesome estate...
0:01:05 > 0:01:09All units now, please. Phone box.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12..the neighbourhood team call in Immigration
0:01:12 > 0:01:13to target a Chinese takeaway...
0:01:13 > 0:01:15When did you come to England?
0:01:16 > 0:01:19..and a stabbing... RADIO: Control, this is urgent.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20..sparks a police manhunt.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Combating urban crime in Weston-super-Mare,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34particularly offences involving drugs and violence,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36is an ongoing problem.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Every now and again the neighbourhood police like to
0:01:38 > 0:01:40hit the streets in force
0:01:40 > 0:01:44on a dedicated day of action to crack down on offenders.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46And today in Weston-super-Mare,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49neighbourhood officers are being briefed for one of these
0:01:49 > 0:01:51special days of action.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55We've continued to see an increase in drug-related offences,
0:01:55 > 0:01:56and violent offences,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59however, the burglaries have gone significantly down.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00The majority of the time
0:02:00 > 0:02:02neighbourhood officers work in uniform,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04but today it's strictly plain clothes,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08so they can more easily spot suspicious activity.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10The operation's free-flowing today.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13It is going to be a case of what we see and then what we go with.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17And these are the opportunities we need to sort of pounce upon.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Each area's going to have a predominant area to patrol,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21and as soon as someone sees something then we can
0:02:21 > 0:02:23all move in onto one area.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Groups of small patrols will spread across Weston.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30And, for Sergeant Mark Jenkinson,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34it's the only opportunity he gets to be invisible as a neighbourhood cop.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Operations like this, we tend to come together and have a larger,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41more dramatic impact.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Today everyone's in plain clothes and we're looking to be
0:02:44 > 0:02:45particularly proactive the whole day.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Out on the street,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Sgt Colin Bachelor and Alice Durston
0:02:50 > 0:02:53have hardly left the station before they spot someone ahead.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54You all right?
0:02:54 > 0:02:56A man they know is acting suspiciously.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59You got anything on you you shouldn't have on you? No.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01They also know he's a drug user.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02What is all this? Just...
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Paraphernalia, innit? Paraphernalia!
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Inside the plastic bag are used syringes and powders,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12often mixed with heroin to make it more soluble,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and, although no drugs are found on the man,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Colin can see he's a serious user.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I was going to say, mate,
0:03:19 > 0:03:20this is not right, down here, is it?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23What have you got going on here?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25You are not in good shape with these.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29They are rock-hard. Have you been putting too many needles into the...?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Mmm. Is that what's happened? Yeah.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34While Colin searches the drug user,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37he discovers a letter from a support charity
0:03:37 > 0:03:39which shows the man's trying to get clean.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43And you've got an Addaction appointment at three o'clock today, haven't you?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Yeah! What time is it? Three...
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Quarter past one. You're all right for the minute.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Oh...thank God for that, cos I need that.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Thanks for telling me.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57Colin takes the opportunity to talk about the drug crime in the area.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01It's all getting a bit nasty round here, isn't it? Yeah, a lot of stabbings and that, innit?
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Everyone, innit? It's just crazy, innit?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07And, obviously, that's a concern to us, that's a concern to...
0:04:07 > 0:04:08Well, yeah, no, definitely.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13..the community. That's a concern to the people that live here etc.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16There's been fights happening everywhere, hasn't there?
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Well... They took me down the other day, hard, man. I know, I know.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20They come in force.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25The guy obviously knows the risks involved with his habit.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27You're not worried about anything?
0:04:27 > 0:04:29No. No-one come near me.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Not yet. No-one would, would they? Why not?
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Cos I'll take them out. Really. COLIN LAUGHS
0:04:34 > 0:04:36What with? Your socks?
0:04:36 > 0:04:38People know me, mate, yeah?
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Yeah, I...I know who you are.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Yeah. I know who you are.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43Do your homework, mate, yeah?
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Right, go on, then. Right, I'm going into town... That way, to Addaction, all right?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Yes. See you later.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50What time is it? One o'clock.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53You'll be early.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56His legs are minging.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59'He's got nothing on him, probably because he's already had it.'
0:04:59 > 0:05:04His eyeballs were on stalks, and he, unfortunately, is
0:05:04 > 0:05:06right at the bottom of the drugs food chain,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08if you want to call it that.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11And that's quite a good example of what can happen to you.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13But, par for the course, I'm afraid.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Come on, then.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19The day of action is gaining pace.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Across town, Mark and his colleague John Thippen
0:05:22 > 0:05:24have just started their patrol,
0:05:24 > 0:05:25and already they're onto something.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Guy with a baseball cap on his... Yeah, I see him.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30He's wanted, isn't he? Isn't he wanted by you?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Some bloke with a limp. RADIO: Just hang back into another patrol.
0:05:33 > 0:05:40Is that him? I'm not sure. Go and speak to him, I think.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41What's your name, mate?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44But as soon as the man starts speaking...
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Sorry, I not speak English.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49..John realises he's got the wrong person.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51He's a Polish gentleman, anyway. Oh, is he?
0:05:51 > 0:05:55It's fine, it's not you. I thought you were someone else. Don't worry. All right.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57OK. Few drinks?
0:05:57 > 0:05:59More than a few. Oh, yeah...
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Police work on local information and their instincts,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08and take care to follow procedure.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10What we've got to make sure that we do is that
0:06:10 > 0:06:12if we do stop someone, or if we do engage with someone,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14it's done lawfully and properly.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18You know, we can't go on fishing trips but, certainly,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22sometimes, if you have a feel for something,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25sometimes it will pay off, sometimes it doesn't.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30As each team gets in their stride on this day of action,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32an urgent call comes in from one of the units.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35RADIO:
0:06:35 > 0:06:37On the Bournville estate,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41a uniformed officer and a PCSO have detained a teenager
0:06:41 > 0:06:44who's been riding around on a mobility scooter
0:06:44 > 0:06:46which clearly isn't his.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49RADIO:
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Some residents seem to be unhappy that police have stopped him,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55and have surrounded the two men.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Undercover patrols race to the estate to help them out.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02RADIO:
0:07:02 > 0:07:04As Colin arrives,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Mark Stevens is holding on to
0:07:06 > 0:07:10the teenager found riding the mobility scooter.
0:07:10 > 0:07:16Mark explains how he and PCSO Justin have just been threatened by the group of youths.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17What's going on, mate?
0:07:17 > 0:07:18They're all talking about doing me.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21So one of them, I don't know which one... Who's...who's...?
0:07:21 > 0:07:23And they've had a go at Justin. All right.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26And then, as a result, they've just caught him. Right.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30The lad who assaulted Justin has just been chased across the road
0:07:30 > 0:07:32and rugby-tackled to the ground.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Justin's taken aback by the experience.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39They've kicked off and tried to stop him being arrested, and it's gone from there.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41With the crowd growing,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Russ Millier needs to get the lad away before things escalate.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Aargh, we love it! Hey, hey.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54The teenager on the mobility scooter was found to have cannabis on him.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58He was also found guilty of additional, unrelated offences,
0:07:58 > 0:08:00and was given a year's rehabilitation order.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04The scooter was taken back to its owner.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08And Mark now has the opportunity to give Colin the full picture.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12They all got a bit BLEEP. Yeah. I started to move in, then they started...
0:08:12 > 0:08:14One of them shoved me, but I didn't know which one, from behind.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Yeah. Sorry, I didn't realise there was two shoves. Justin then came across and got involved.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25The lad who pushed Justin was charged with assault and given a nine-month referral order.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29And after Russ's rugby tackle...
0:08:31 > 0:08:33..the lad will need some stain remover.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38The day of action has been a success.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40It's been absolutely perfect and spot-on,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and we've caused some disruption so, yes, we're happy -
0:08:43 > 0:08:44we're happy with the result of today.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Most people who come to live in the UK from overseas
0:08:54 > 0:08:56arrive with all the right documents,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59but many others bypass the red tape completely.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04There could be more than 600,000 illegal immigrants living in the UK,
0:09:04 > 0:09:09and it's difficult to put a figure on how many of those are working here illegally, too.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11And, in Bath,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14it's an issue for Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17We look at the issue of illegal workers as,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19potentially, modern-day slavery.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21There's a lot of restaurants in Bath.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23There's a lot of licensed premises in Bath.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27There's lots of other businesses in Bath, who may want to look, too,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29you know, for cheap labour.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Today Bath's neighbourhood team have called in one of their partners,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Immigration Enforcement,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40to investigate two restaurants under suspicion of using illegal workers.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41So, the intention is...
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Amy Averne is the lead officer.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I'll give you a bit of background as to how this restaurant came to our attention.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52Amy has warrants to search an Indian restaurant and a Chinese takeaway.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Neil, you're covering the rear of the premises.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We'll go through the main door, I'll execute the warrant,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00and then if you can just remain in this area with anybody that we encounter.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Dean and Sean, you can just enter through the main door
0:10:04 > 0:10:06and then straight down into the basement.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12They're acting on locals' reports.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17We rely a lot on the community to give us information in regards to
0:10:17 > 0:10:19people working illegally
0:10:19 > 0:10:21because, without them, obviously, we don't know.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25We just can't enter premises without the intel from them.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29Immigration Enforcement was set up by the Home Office to clamp down on
0:10:29 > 0:10:31anyone abusing immigration laws,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34whether by smuggling themselves in,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36forging documents,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38or overstaying their visa.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42And unscrupulous employers are also part of the problem.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44The first target
0:10:44 > 0:10:47is an Indian restaurant on the outskirts of the city.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54The officers head straight for the kitchen, where they find six men,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57three of whom are trying to escape through the back door.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03But the runaways don't get far, and all six men are detained.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07We have now contained the premises,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10and we've now seated the males who we've encountered
0:11:10 > 0:11:13into a sterile area where we will begin to question them in
0:11:13 > 0:11:15regards to their immigration status.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19The suspects are from Bangladesh,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23and after checking the information the men give against her database,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27it's obvious to Amy that their immigration status is in doubt.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30So, they're taken into custody for further questioning.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35These people are paid minimum wage.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36They aren't always given a wage,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39they are given food and accommodation in order for...
0:11:39 > 0:11:41in return for them to work.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42So it's cheap, cheap,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45cheap labour for the people that are actually working here.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52If the men are found to be here illegally
0:11:52 > 0:11:55they could be deported back to Bangladesh,
0:11:55 > 0:12:01and their employer fined ?20,000 for each illegal worker.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Seatbelt, this side.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06But some immigration warrants aren't so simple.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13The second call is on a Chinese takeaway in Bath city centre.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17It's important no-one leaves the restaurant until the officers have
0:12:17 > 0:12:18established who works there.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22As they arrive, a man is walking out of the door,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26and experience tells them to escort him back in.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I'll show you the warrant, OK, sir? Yes.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31The owner says the man's a customer.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You're buying food, are you? OK, take a seat, then. That's fine.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37We've got a warrant issued by the courts to enter the premises, OK?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39So you need my ID, yeah? I do indeed, yes.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40It's late afternoon,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44and possibly the said "customer" fancies an early supper
0:12:44 > 0:12:46but something's not adding up.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Here, here.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Something doesn't make sense about his footwear, either.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Why's he got chef's shoes on?
0:12:56 > 0:12:59He's working here. No, not working here.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Don't be so nervous.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03We have a gentleman behind the counter who has told us he is the boss,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07and a gentleman here who has told us he is a customer.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10We're just questioning both at the moment as they were both on the premises when we came here.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12When did you come to England?
0:13:12 > 0:13:16If the alleged "customer" is here illegally, he could be deported.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Two months ago.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Do you have any females that work here?
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Oh, this guy.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24No, I'm asking do you have any FEMALES that work here?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26It's only the male.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31If he's a customer he won't know what staff works here, does he? I'm talking to you, talk to me.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Because I doesn't understand, OK? You do understand.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37You do understand English. I think that you know, I English not very well.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39It's better than you think it is.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42The owner says he has a British passport,
0:13:42 > 0:13:44but after running his name through the system
0:13:44 > 0:13:48there's no photo to confirm who he is.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Where are you from? China? China.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55So officers accompany him home to see if he's telling the truth.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59He's been a bit vague with the answers to the questions we've given him, so
0:13:59 > 0:14:02my officers, with his consent, now have gone to his address, which is literally across the road.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04We'll have a look at the passport,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07and make sure that the British passport is his.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09The owner's back within minutes.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11His passport is fine.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16The immigration officers need to check the ID of all members of staff,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20and one of the evening workers has dropped in.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Hiya. Hi.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Thank you... AMY LAUGHS
0:14:24 > 0:14:31Are you a student, yeah? Yes, I am. Full-time student. Do you work with him?
0:14:32 > 0:14:36It's becoming apparent that both the young woman and the man
0:14:36 > 0:14:37are part-time workers.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39You told us you didn't work here.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41That confirms that, then. That confirms that, then. AMY LAUGHS
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Well, like... It's OK.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45The man's rumbled.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50I mean, I see him, like, frequently but it doesn't mean that he works here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52It's fine.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The young woman may be legally in the country,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59but if the suspect's not, he's likely to be sent home.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Nothing on him. Nothing?
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Just confirmed that it's the right name. Let's see what this says first.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09The hand-held computer has all the technology to determine
0:15:09 > 0:15:11what Amy does next.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13So, if he's come into the UK with a visa,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17it will show, using our fingerprint scanner, what his true details are.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20If he has, obviously, given us false information with regards to his name,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23we'll then run those new details through our systems to find out if he is,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25in fact, an immigration offender.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30At the moment, we're just waiting for the transmission to come through from the scanner.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34The real name...
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Within seconds they have a result.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The name he gave my colleague, initially, was a false name
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and, through the scanner, we were able to prove his true identity.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45The name he's given is false,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and they've found out his true identity.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50POLICEMAN:
0:15:50 > 0:15:53It seems the man came to the UK on a student visa
0:15:53 > 0:15:56which expired a long time ago,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59and he's been avoiding the Home Office ever since.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01He was served immigration papers...
0:16:01 > 0:16:03An officer is on the line to an interpreter...
0:16:06 > 0:16:10..who explains to the man what's going to happen.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE
0:16:15 > 0:16:18He has confirmed that he understands he's now under arrest.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25The heat is now on the man's alleged employer, the owner of the takeaway,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28who is still insisting the man doesn't work for him.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31It's for you, then, to prove that he hasn't been working here, OK?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33If found to be working here, OK,
0:16:33 > 0:16:38you will be fined ?20,000 for him working here illegally, all right?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40But, something's been found in the kitchen
0:16:40 > 0:16:43which flies in the face of the owner's story.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45So, he does work here, doesn't he?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Yeah. Yes. Exactly.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51I've just noticed a food hygiene certificate in the name of this gentleman here.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54The man's been telling me the whole time he doesn't work here.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I've now taken a photograph of the certificate to prove
0:16:57 > 0:16:59that this gentleman does, in fact, work here.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01He's now taken it down, now.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06The man's future now lies in the hands of the Home Office.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09The more, obviously, that we can receive this kind of information,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11we will stop people from working illegally
0:17:11 > 0:17:15and we will try and stop people, the owners of these premises,
0:17:15 > 0:17:16employing people working illegally.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19And, hopefully, in time they will then start employing people
0:17:19 > 0:17:22in the community that have the right to work.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25And it's reports from neighbourhood officers on the ground
0:17:25 > 0:17:29which enables Immigration Enforcement to get results.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32We look for local people to provide us with information.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Our neighbourhood team, in particular,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and particularly in the centre of Bath, are our eyes and our ears.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41As yet, none of the Bangladeshi men have been deported.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Some have claimed asylum,
0:17:43 > 0:17:48and others are visa overstayers who are currently going through the system.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52But the Chinese worker was sent back to China.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Both restaurant owners have been served warnings of a fine,
0:17:55 > 0:18:01and are now looking at a whopping bill of up to ?20,000 for each illegal worker.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Last year, police across England and Wales dealt with
0:18:11 > 0:18:16over 27,000 stabbings and other knife crimes -
0:18:16 > 0:18:19the equivalent of around 500 a week.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21It's a worrying figure,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25and even more worrying is that many of those involved with knife crime
0:18:25 > 0:18:27are still in their teens.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Weston-super-Mare's neighbourhood team have been dealing with
0:18:31 > 0:18:34a recent spate of stabbings.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36And, today, there's been another attack.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Russ Millier is responding to the call for backup.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47RADIO:
0:18:51 > 0:18:54An undercover officer has seen an altercation in the street
0:18:54 > 0:18:56between two local men
0:18:56 > 0:18:59and four youths who are from out of town.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03One of the two locals has been slashed on the face,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05allegedly by one of the youths,
0:19:05 > 0:19:06who have all scarpered.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09One of them has gone into an address,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12but the other three are on the run round the roads here.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14The two men have been detained.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17One, who already has history with the police,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19was seen brandishing a dagger,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21defending his injured friend.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Russ is anxious to join in the search for the four runaways.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27CAR HORN BEEPS
0:19:29 > 0:19:31But not as fast as he'd like.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35RADIO: Yeah, we were speaking with officers trying to get dogs.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38The nearest aircraft is 30, three zero, minutes away.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Officers on the ground are already getting results.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44A youth has just been caught.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47RADIO: ..a black Karrimor jacket, a black bag...
0:19:48 > 0:19:50There's one detained, there.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52RADIO: Yeah, which way did they go?
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Suddenly, there's a sighting.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Which gardens? Which gardens? Somewhere here.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Another two youths have been seen.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Have you got what side of the road, or not?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Have you got what side of the road? Yeah, they turned left...
0:20:05 > 0:20:06and they've gone here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Russ immediately gets a shout.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18The youths have doubled back, through another garden.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23A female plain-clothed officer and neighbourhood police make chase.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32With three now in cuffs, the search will continue for the fourth.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37And, while the lad in the black jacket is being searched for weapons,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Russ notices something on the one in the red tracksuit...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Face away from me. ..a wound.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46How did you get that on your head?
0:20:47 > 0:20:48What, recently?
0:20:51 > 0:20:52SOMEONE SCREAMS
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Suddenly, the youth in the black jacket starts playing up.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Knife crime is a big deal for police in Weston,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04which often involves people from other towns and cities,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08and all three youths will be taken in for questioning.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09What is your name?
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Right. Whatever your name is, at this moment in time,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15you are under arrest on suspicion of possession of a bladed article,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17and suspicion of affray. OK?
0:21:18 > 0:21:22The lad who was struggling with police is already on his way to the station,
0:21:22 > 0:21:26and Russ tries to find out more about the one in the tracksuit.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28How old are you?
0:21:28 > 0:21:29Yeah? Mmm.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31You act like an 11-year-old.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37You really think? Yeah.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38And how are you going to do that?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Take these off. Well, they were off when we got there.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43You didn't do anything, did you?
0:21:43 > 0:21:46You really shouldn't make idle threats.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Keep your hands where we can see them as well.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Recently, we've had issues with mainly drug...
0:21:55 > 0:21:59drug-crime gangs coming down from out of town,
0:21:59 > 0:22:04which has resulted in probably about six to maybe eight incidents
0:22:04 > 0:22:07where people have been stabbed as a result.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11This young lad, here - he's 15 years of age.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18It's what we come across all the time, now - they've got no concept over what's going on.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20And they do think it's funny.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Information has just come in.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Officers have ferreted out the fourth youth.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32With all four out-of-towners now securely in police hands,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36it shows the public that the neighbourhood team can deliver.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43At Bridgwater police station,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46officers are keeping the youths apart.
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Wahey!
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Yes, man, BLEEP.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54And, while the one who resisted arrest is already being processed...
0:22:54 > 0:22:59BLEEP the police, BLEEP the cops, and BLEEP you, you fat BLEEP.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02The 15-year-old is put into a holding room.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Right, listen... Take these off, man.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Listen, be quiet. They're not coming off,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08because you just acted the clown, didn't you?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10INAUDIBLE
0:23:11 > 0:23:14But he's just showing off in front of his friends.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18I don't have to find it on you.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Now faced with the custody sergeant,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24the gobby teenager has rather less to say for himself.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25What is your surname?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Be here a while, at this rate.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Do you have any injuries we need to know about?
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Yeah, he has, he's got...
0:23:36 > 0:23:38It's like a stab mark on his head, from a previous incident,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40which has got a butterfly stitch in,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and he's got a cut to his hand - a fresh cut to his hand.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46The fourth youth is now in the holding room,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49awaiting his turn with the sergeant.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53All suspects will be strip-searched for any weapons or drugs,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and their outer clothing taken for forensics...
0:23:57 > 0:23:59..much to the teenager's indignation.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04These. What the BLEEP?
0:24:04 > 0:24:08They're nice. Don't look any more ridiculous than you do now.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Come on, young man.
0:24:11 > 0:24:12Welcome.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Unfortunately, the lad now has to wave goodbye
0:24:18 > 0:24:20to his designer trackie.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22That's it, hood up. Off.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24We have to give them clothing.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26Not the most glamorous, by far, but...
0:24:28 > 0:24:29..it is clothing.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32Get your slippers on.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39No problem. After you. I'll get them.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43I'll show you to your room, sir... There you go.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47While the lad shows off his brand-new prison apparel,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49and his belongings are bagged up,
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Russ gets some new information from an officer still at the scene.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Yeah, go on.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02The man who was wounded has given a rough description of what was used to injure him,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06and the officer believes it could be here at the station.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Yeah, who said he's got that on him?
0:25:10 > 0:25:11Russ takes a look in the evidence room.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18The victim from the earlier assault has described the weapon that got him round the face
0:25:18 > 0:25:21as a small blade off a hair clipper,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25and, possibly, the weapon that caused the injury to the male's face.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30And this nasty specimen is the dagger found on his friend
0:25:30 > 0:25:32who was trying to defend him
0:25:32 > 0:25:36which, no doubt, could have caused serious injuries.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39In my opinion, that's been designed for one thing and one thing only.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41The blade's ten inches long.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46Carrying any knife in public over three inches is illegal.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49And you can't have it locking, no matter what size.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53So, yeah, as you see, that is well and truly over three inches.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01The injured man refused to identify who attacked him
0:26:01 > 0:26:06so there was insufficient evidence to charge any of the youths with the assault.
0:26:06 > 0:26:07There you go.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12But the man who had the dagger pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon
0:26:12 > 0:26:16and was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Still to come... Get on the floor, now!
0:26:26 > 0:26:31..Russ is given the run-around by a youth suspected of criminal damage,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and things are blooming marvellous for the local kids.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Right, who's coming to dig a hole, then? KIDS: Me! Me!
0:26:45 > 0:26:50For some who like a seaside break, Weston-super-Mare's sandy beaches,
0:26:50 > 0:26:55entertainment and Grand Pier make it one of the south-west's
0:26:55 > 0:26:58most pleasurable destinations.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02But some visitors take the pleasure too far.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Tonight, Russ Millier's patrolling the prom in an unmarked car.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10A call's come in from the police control centre -
0:27:10 > 0:27:15guests at a seafront hotel have trashed one of the rooms and done a runner.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19RADIO:
0:27:19 > 0:27:23It all started when a receptionist saw glasses being tossed out of
0:27:23 > 0:27:27the window of an upstairs room, which a lad had checked into.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Another member of staff went to investigate
0:27:30 > 0:27:32and found more than he bargained for.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35He also believes someone had been smoking cannabis.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Another youth was also found in the room.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54It seems the one who booked it had sneaked in his friend and the two young girls.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57All four made a speedy exit when they were discovered.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01When...what time did it...? Is it him that's checked in? Yeah. Yeah.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06What time was that? I'd just... Well, Jane left at eight, so it was round the eight o'clock mark.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08What, this evening? Yeah.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11They've only been there a couple of hours. Yeah.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16The lad had walked into the hotel asking for a last-minute room for the night.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22The only one available was a family room, for which he paid ?40 for sole occupancy.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24No other people were meant to be in that room.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Yeah. One person. Yeah.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30He's given a local address, hasn't he? Yeah. Did he confirm any ID?
0:28:30 > 0:28:32No. He looked about 18, 19, to be fair.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36This chap will take me to look at the room, shall we? You'll get lost in the maze if you...
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Russ gets a sniff of something in the air.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Got the smell of cannabis, now.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44You wait till I open the door. OK.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49It looks like the foursome have enjoyed a wild party.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51A lamp has been broken...
0:28:52 > 0:28:54..and the curtains ripped off the wall.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58So, the main damage is the curtain rail they've pulled down. Yeah.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Out of the wall. It's supposed to be like that one is.
0:29:01 > 0:29:01Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08Despite rushing to get away, they didn't leave any evidence behind.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Taken all their bags, have they? Yeah.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14They've been drinking, obviously.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Broke the toilet-roll holder, in there.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20The council CCTV are already aware of their descriptions,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22and they're on the lookout for them.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27We'll take the crime details and go and have a look ourselves, I think.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33In this case, appearances aren't everything.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Yeah. But that's it, isn't it? You don't know.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Mmm, yeah. No, you don't know.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44All right, speak to you later. All right, no problem.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46As Russ is in an unmarked car,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49he might be in with a chance of catching up with the group.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51So, we're going to go and have a look for the suspects,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54that are going to be in and around the town centre somewhere.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57We have got an address which they checked in with.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59The chances are it could well be a Joey address,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01as in a false address. RADIO: Stand by.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05So, we'll see what we can find in the town.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09But, before heading towards the town centre,
0:30:09 > 0:30:14Russ' sixth sense tells him that the park near the seafront might be
0:30:14 > 0:30:16worth trying first.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26In the distance, he spots a young couple sitting on a bench.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31The lad seems to fit the description of the one who booked
0:30:31 > 0:30:33into the hotel, but is it the right one?
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Russ carefully creeps up in his unmarked car.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47As soon as Russ gets out of the car,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50the lad spots his uniform and legs it.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Foot chase, foot chase, we're in the gardens!
0:30:57 > 0:30:58Get on the floor, now.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Down, now, down!
0:31:03 > 0:31:05What am I arrested for? Criminal damage.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Nice run, son. Nice run.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Oh! My arms! Up you come, Wallace, up you come.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Let go of my arms, man.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Hey, yo. Can you put them down a bit, please?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Thank you, thanks, mate. Why are you taking pictures?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Here's our man. BLEEP
0:31:24 > 0:31:29The youth's romantic bargain break has been stopped in its tracks.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32What you doing? Feet in.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37While the suspect spends time in the cells, Russ catches his breath.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39A bit of a foot chase through the town.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43Getting a little bit old for it. But, yeah. Caught him.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48So, pleased with that. He's been arrested. Yeah, good job. Good job.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51The youth's friends have got away.
0:31:51 > 0:31:56And it's hoped he'll give police the full story so they can be found.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58But, the following day,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02one of the girls seen in the hotel room owned up to the damage.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06She was given a conditional caution for criminal damage and made to pay
0:32:06 > 0:32:09?70 towards repairs.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13She's also been banned from the hotel for the foreseeable future.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17No charges were made against the other three.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20And now Russ is considering joining a gym.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Get on the floor, now!
0:32:33 > 0:32:37We all try to lead happy lives, and knowing our neighbourhoods are safe,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41wherever they are, contributes to that.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45But when you've been a victim of crime, especially burglary,
0:32:45 > 0:32:47all sorts of fears can creep in.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50People who have been burgled feel quite violated.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54They feel that their personal space has been attacked.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57There is kind of a loss of your privacy.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Someone invading your house, you know, it's not...
0:33:00 > 0:33:03It's not cool at all. That would be devastating, obviously, because,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05you know, property...
0:33:05 > 0:33:08This is where you keep most of your valuable and precious things.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12And the support of our neighbourhood officers goes a long way to allay
0:33:12 > 0:33:13those fears.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Neighbourhood policing is all about owning a little area.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18They have responsibility, geographically,
0:33:18 > 0:33:20for that area and everyone who lives there.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24So, they really care and they have that for several years at a time.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28So, you get specific people in there who really care and really want to
0:33:28 > 0:33:29make a difference.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33In Bridgwater, PCSO Jo Farrow is on patrol.
0:33:33 > 0:33:39Her patch crosses a wide area and takes her from built-up streets to
0:33:39 > 0:33:40the odd country lane.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44I've got an open beat that I cover,
0:33:44 > 0:33:45so I've got a bit of everything.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49As you can tell, I've got some cows in the background.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54We've got quite a high crime area, as well, so there's quite a few...
0:33:54 > 0:33:55quite a lot going on. It's quite busy.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Today, Jo is going to reassure a couple whose home was burgled
0:34:00 > 0:34:01at the weekend.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04They've actually come across the offender, they've disturbed them.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07The offender's run off, so we've got a description to go by.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10I'm just going to go and see if there's anything else that we can do
0:34:10 > 0:34:11to help them.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13As well as the visit,
0:34:13 > 0:34:17it is also an opportunity for Jo to give advice face-to-face on
0:34:17 > 0:34:19preventing future break-ins.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Hi, are you Melanie? I am, yeah. All right?
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Thankfully, the couple weren't harmed.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26But they are very worried.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30They were also the target of a burglary just three weeks ago,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32possibly by the same person.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34What was...? What's been taken?
0:34:34 > 0:34:38On the first burglary, they attempted to break into my car.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42The burglar couldn't get into the car, so he damaged it instead.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47But he did succeed in breaking into a camper wagon and a small van
0:34:47 > 0:34:49before he was discovered by the woman's partner.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52She disturbed that thief on his second visit.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I caught him as he was trying to break into the lock...
0:34:55 > 0:34:57the locked container that we have.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Right, OK.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01The couple's separate descriptions seem to match
0:35:01 > 0:35:05and police are working on the assumption that it is the same man.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Jo's shown where he got in.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10This wasn't across. He'd already taken this out.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Right, OK.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15But his first port of call was into this vehicle.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Yeah. This is where the...
0:35:17 > 0:35:19The burglar seems to be a music fan.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24As well as speakers, he also got away with a radio and two amp leads.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28It's possible the thief came back as he didn't have time
0:35:28 > 0:35:30to get everything he wanted on the first occasion.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32He's jellied all of this out,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35and taken the leads out that were in there on Saturday.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38I came to this gate, which obviously is padlocked,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40but he was trying to get into here.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43He had some snips. Yep. So he snipped here and here.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Snipped that? Trying to get into it.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48But what we didn't realise, until after the police had gone,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50is he cut the cable.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53It was the woman's partner who disturbed him on the first break-in.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I was shocked, really, because I came out at half past six
0:35:56 > 0:36:00in the morning. Just doing my normal routine to go to work.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Saw him in the actual van.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Went to ring the police straight away, and that was it, he was gone.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09It was just unbelievable. I just couldn't believe that somebody else
0:36:09 > 0:36:13had... Or the same person, possibly, had actually broken in again.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16It's just... It's insulting, it really is insulting.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19The break-ins are still playing on their minds
0:36:19 > 0:36:23and they are both afraid the thief will return.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25You're on edge, continuously.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Slightest noise and you're like, "What is that noise?"
0:36:27 > 0:36:30It is just... It's the sleepless nights.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33You're listening...constantly listening out for something,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35because you're just expecting something else to happen.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38You're living on a knife edge all the time.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42To keep them reassured, Jo offers advice on crime prevention.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Alarms and things like that. Yeah, the little security alarms.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47You can get little shared alarms now, that as soon as the seal is
0:36:47 > 0:36:50broken, it goes off. That's what we've got in the garage.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Yeah. Put that on. You can put it on your gates. As soon as it opens.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56I know it'll be a little bit of an annoyance to you because every time
0:36:56 > 0:36:58you open it...but you know it's there to turn it off. Yeah.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Jo also casts an expert eye over the area.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02With the little gap you've got there,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04if you can put something else into it...
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Yeah, we can put some more fencing on there.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Anything that makes things a little bit more difficult for them.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Obviously, you've got quite a lot of equipment here.
0:37:12 > 0:37:13We do property-marking stuff. Right.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16If you want us to come back out with that, I can come back out
0:37:16 > 0:37:18with the pens and things and we can mark up. Yeah.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Again, doesn't stop them, it deters them.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Before Jo leaves, the woman remembers another detail.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27The suspect had getaway transport which was found behind
0:37:27 > 0:37:28another vehicle.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31The second time, on Saturday... Yeah. ..behind the camper,
0:37:31 > 0:37:35between the camper and the fence, he'd wedged a stolen push-bike.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37OK. Did we recover that?
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Yeah, they picked that up Sunday morning.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43Stolen bikes are often used by offenders to escape a crime scene.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47But, in this case, the bicycle thief/burglar quickly
0:37:47 > 0:37:51jumped over a fence when he was disturbed and left the bike behind,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54which is now at the police station.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56He is now aware that you both know what he looks like.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Yeah. So, it should stop him from coming back again.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01I'll get some updates anyway and I'll give you a call. Yeah.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05It's nice and reassuring to know that somebody like Jo is there to
0:38:05 > 0:38:07support us if we need any help.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11For Sharon Bennett, PCSOs like Jo are a godsend
0:38:11 > 0:38:13when it comes to reassurance.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18From what I've seen and what I hear from the community, they love them.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20They really do. I certainly value everything they do
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and if it wasn't, actually, for PCSOs, I think we wouldn't be
0:38:23 > 0:38:25delivering the service we do to our communities.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30It's two weeks later and although the suspect may still be on the
0:38:30 > 0:38:33loose, at least one crime has been solved.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36The stolen bike is being reunited with its owner.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38This will be her bike, hopefully.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Thankfully, the women had given a very detailed description.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46It is really nice to be able to say, actually, we were able to find it
0:38:46 > 0:38:48and it's solved a crime at the end of the day.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Oh, wonderful.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56It's actually unusual to always get the bike back in one piece,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58as well, so I'm really glad I've been able to do that for you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Success story. It is. Thank you so much, Jo.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04God, that's incredible. I didn't think I'd see that again.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07With one crime positively solved,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11police will continue their inquiries to find the burglar.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20As well as keeping crime off our streets,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24neighbourhood teams work hard to build a relationship with the
0:39:24 > 0:39:26locals, especially youngsters.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32Over in Weston-super-Mare, Mark Stevens is getting ready for a
0:39:32 > 0:39:37special assignment involving items which need very delicate handling.
0:39:37 > 0:39:38Pansies.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40LAUGHTER
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Mark and Alice Durston are visiting a nearby estate to join in
0:39:44 > 0:39:48a gardening project designed as a holiday activity for the young
0:39:48 > 0:39:49children in the area.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52The benefits of working with the children at this age
0:39:52 > 0:39:55is they can build that relationship with us, so they can look at us
0:39:55 > 0:39:57and they know they can approach us if they need our help.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Or if they've got any questions they want to ask us, they can
0:40:00 > 0:40:01come and do that with us.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05It's just to build that confidence between us and them, really.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Sharon Bennett strongly believes in the holistic approach
0:40:08 > 0:40:09to neighbourhood policing.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13They'll work with other agencies, they'll work with young people
0:40:13 > 0:40:15in the community, old people.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18They really look to do some of that work that isn't necessarily
0:40:18 > 0:40:21measurable straightaway, but has a real long-term effect
0:40:21 > 0:40:23and a positive effect on the community.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27Somerset Police are working in partnership with the
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Stonewater Housing Association, who, along with local businesses,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33have donated all the plants.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35A lot of kids today get a bit of a bad rap.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Seeing, like, causing antisocial behaviour,
0:40:37 > 0:40:39when actually there just isn't a lot for them to do.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42So if they are spending a lot of time in their community
0:40:42 > 0:40:44because they don't have anywhere else to go,
0:40:44 > 0:40:45why not do something positive?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48And it just makes the community relationship a lot better and
0:40:48 > 0:40:50adults have a lot more respect for the kids and vice versa.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It's hoped the children will also take more pride in their local area
0:40:54 > 0:40:56and have fun, of course.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Right, who's coming to dig a hole, then? KIDS: Me! Me!
0:41:04 > 0:41:07So, what you need to do is take it out of the pot.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09LAUGHTER Oh, take it out of the pot.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13There we go, look. Give it a good hammer now.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16The event is a concerted effort to make the public aware
0:41:16 > 0:41:19that the police do care about their neighbourhoods,
0:41:19 > 0:41:23and one way is by posting pictures on social media.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Say, "Cheese."
0:41:25 > 0:41:26Cheese.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Twitter is a really good example of how we can get real positive
0:41:29 > 0:41:32messages out there nice and quickly and let people know of
0:41:32 > 0:41:34all the work we are doing, because a lot of it goes unseen.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37More children arrive to join in the fun.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Yeah.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43That's looking good, isn't it? Yeah. Three plants we put in.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Another advantage to the event is it encourages everyone on the estate to
0:41:47 > 0:41:49get to know each other better.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54Some of the children are making plant pots for their neighbours.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55Ding-dong.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Some of the children live locally and live on the street,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01so they've kind of made pots for their own house.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03But some of these children live in the same house,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06so they've made pots for other neighbours, which is really cute.
0:42:06 > 0:42:07Really sweet.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09There you are.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Today has been a great icebreaker for the kids and police alike.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Yeah, it's not something, obviously, we get to do every day, is it?
0:42:16 > 0:42:19So this is a bit about community policing and, um, get to know the
0:42:19 > 0:42:22younger generation and making sure they realise we're not
0:42:22 > 0:42:24just here to come and tell them off or anything like that.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26We're here to help. Thank you very much.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29And Alice isn't going home empty-handed either.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31I have got some presents from the children.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Some little butterflies and ladybirds and then a little
0:42:34 > 0:42:38planted pot. It says, "To my beautiful star."
0:42:46 > 0:42:50We've seen today that neighbourhood policing is implemented in a number
0:42:50 > 0:42:54of ways, from intensive enforcement to engagement with younger members
0:42:54 > 0:42:55of the community.
0:42:55 > 0:43:00It all goes to improving the public's confidence in the police.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Until next time, evening, all.
0:43:36 > 0:43:36SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC
0:43:37 > 0:43:39SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC