We have recently recieved an email from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies with an update from the Constabulary. Below are extracts from his letter:

“Shortly after I arrived in B&NES I ran a series of leadership days with my staff. It was an opportunity to set out my visions and expectations for the future. I gave a clear lead in three areas, in that we, as a police district, should have the highest detection rate in the Force, the highest level of overall customer satisfaction and be either first or second in everything else that matters.”

The crime year has recently ended and whilst official figures will be published, I can tell you that at the year end Bath & North East Somerset Police District did have the highest detection rate in the Force at 31.6%, likewise the highest customer satisfaction rate at 84.2% and we were also highest or second highest in the detection of Dwelling Burglary, Harassment, Criminal Damage, Common Assault, GBH, GBH with Intent, Rape, Robbery and Serious Violence.

He went on to state, “Clearly there is still much to do and we are not complacent about the challenges ahead, but I do believe we have a platform on which to build further success.”

Finally he spoke about the local Crime and Disorder Partnership, which he Chairs, and the developing plan to tackle a range of issues. He stated that the “seven aspects which we are intending to deliver on over the next twelve months are:-

1. Enhance the quality of life to our communities and increase public confidence by reducing anti-social behaviour.

2. Create a safe, strong and vibrant City economy (violent crime and night time economy).

3. Minimise the harm substance use causes to society, communities, families and individuals.

4. Increase protection of the most vulnerable victims of crime.

5. Reduce crimes of local concern through citizen focused approach.

6. Respond to community priorities through the P.A.C.T. process.

7. Safeguard young people and prevent them becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.”

The pub is a vital hub for many local communities, places where people come together to socialise, raise money for charity or run sports clubs. Yet six are closing every day and a record 2,000 pubs have closed in the last year, resulting in 20,000 job lost.

The campaign has already gained considerable public support and is growing in momentum. More than 40,000 members of the public have signed up as supporters to the campaign and about 200 MPs have lent their support, including 59 Liberal Democrats.

The ‘Axe the Beer Tax – Save the Pub’ campaign was launched by the British Beer & Pub Association and CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) and has five key demands of Government:

1. Axe plans to increase beer tax by a third
2. Enforce existing laws, not create new ones, to deal firmly with irresponsible drinkers and premises
3. End the irresponsible promotion of alcohol in supermarkets, pubs and elsewhere
4. Trust responsible adults to make informed choices about what they drink, not to punish them for the actions of an irresponsible minority
5. Support the British pub as a vital part of social life in local communities

The immediate focus of the campaign is to persuade the chancellor to scrap plans to impose a 2% above inflation increase in beer tax – even though already tax amounts to 33% of the price of a pint.

You can help to make the Government think again by:

1. Signing up in support at www.axethebeertax.com/support-us.aspx and urging your colleagues and constituents to sign up too;
2. Link your blog or website to the Axe the Beer Tax website and embed the beer taxometer;
4. Use the materials on the Axe the Beer Tax website to highlight the campaign including using their logos, posters and beer mats etc;
5. Contacting your local pubs to help produce a petition to Save the British Pub.

If you need any further information, please do get in touch with the campaign by emailing info@axethebeertax.com.