Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Police chief: 'We want to make Bath better'

Bath's police chief says he wants to set a "new standard" forbehaviour in the city.

Recently-appointed Chief Supt Gary Davies is working with councilchiefs and retailers to create a better atmosphere in the citycentre.

He has launched a crackdown on street drinking, which has led totwo men being banned from the city altogether by the courts.

And the police chief has told his officers to take a hard linewith late-night revellers who cause trouble.

He said: "I want to set new standards of behaviour in Bath citycentre.

"We want people to know what's acceptable and what's notacceptable.

"We will set that new standard and enforce it. It's reallyimportant that the city centre is a special place to visit wherefamilies feel safe."

Chf Supt Davies is working with new city centre manager AndrewCooper and SouthGate developer Multi on the issue and is alsoliaising with Bath and North East Somerset Council.

This is working on two levels - over day to day environmentalissues but also on very long term strategy over what is called thepublic realm.

The council has drawn up plans to transform public areas, withtrouble spots such as Kingsmead Square likely to get top priority.

Chf Supt Davies said businesses had already reported positivefeedback to the crackdown on street drinkers.

Meanwhile, he has also launched a new service for victims ofcrime.

Since December, all victims have been given a new number to ringor an email address to use to keep track of the investigation intoan offence.

A new post of advocate for victims has been appointed to act as alink between victims and officers, who can often themselves be outof contact due to shift patterns.

The move coincidentally comes as the Government appoints SaraPayne - whose daughter was murdered by a paedophile in 2000 - asnational victims' champion.

Chf Supt Davies said: "We don't feel we've been as good atliaising with victims as we should have been.

"We've now had a step change in our approach and we're gettingreally good feedback."

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