Business Crime and other theft – working with local businesses and ensuring we deal with reported crimes effectively to prevent further offences.

On the 26th December a city centre business was burgled just after 8pm. Officers from our response teams attended but the suspect had left a short time before. We identified him through enquiries and he was arrested the next morning. We didn't recover the stolen property despite searches but he was charged and put before the court.

We ask that you are vigilant when withdrawing cash and report anyone you think is acting suspiciously. The elderly can be targeted when they carry cash and we want to stop these offences from happening.

We continue to conduct high visibility patrols on our high street (Dudley Street), attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times. We also have plain clothed officers working in the city centre and approaching our well known offenders.

If you know where stolen goods are being taken and sold or information people who are committing thefts in the city, you can call police or report via Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111 or online (this is a charity and you can report anonymously).

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

At the end of November we ran a joint operation with police officers from the Safer Travel team focusing our patrols around the bus station, bus stops and bus routes. Our aim was to prevent any violent and sexual offences in these places and to offer reassurance by our presence. We spoke to a good number of people and explained why we were there and the intention of the day's work.

We have continued to see Project Servator officers in the city centre, helping deter crime and keeping you safe.

In December we have extra officers on patrol during a Friday and Saturday night. We call this Operation Silent Night. We start planning this operation in February so are prepared for the extra number of visitors and events the month brings.

The late night safe haven in Queens Square will be open throughout the month offering support and practical advice as needed.

Anti-social behaviour - early evenings

Last month we talked about work we are doing to reduce anti-social behaviour during early evenings - this an ongoing piece of work as the city becomes busier during December. As last month, we still have a team of plain clothed officers on duty in the day and early evenings and they are focusing on Piper's Row, Dudley Street and St. Peter's Gardens. There have been arrests for thefts, drug offences and burglary in the last 2 week linked to that work.

We know we have key locations within the city where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. Our incident logs provide data to direct our patrols so we are in the right places at the right time. A Public Space Protection Order has been granted for the city centre to provide a long term approach to reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour that is committed by groups of people. Residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy a safer space without fear of confrontation.

Report anti-social behaviour so we are aware and can target our patrols.