Welcoming new recruits to local policing
By Richard Corrigan (1352) 1st March 2010 10:59 AM

I wrote last time regarding the explosion at the BOC depot in Whitby Road, Bristol. This incident lasted eight days in total with the associated disruption to nearby businesses and residents. I was involved throughout and there is no doubt that this tested the emergency services to their limit, especially Avon Fire & Rescue Service who I have to say were suberb throughout.

During the incident, the one area where we did receive criticism was our communication. I accept this and following the debrief we will make sure that we take on board the comments from residents and others to make sure we do this better next time.

What I would say is that the cordon and the exclusion zone were necessary for the entire time. Several hundred cylinders were linked together and under no circumstances could we risk another explosion.

On a more mundane level, the winter seems to be going on and on, but hopefully the snow is behind us. I was asked the other day what impact the severe weather has on crime and demand on our service. The simple fact is that demand changes. During the week of the heavy snow and freezing temperatures crime fell by about 25 per cent. During the same time demand went up by the same amount, mainly to deal with traffic collisions, traffic disruption and other accidents. There were some really good stories in the press about officers following snow prints to find vehicle criminals but there is no doubt that severe weather of this nature does reduce the number of offences.

Looking forward, I saw a new group of recruits mark the end of their initial training today and I am pleased to say that the 'student of the course' is coming to Bristol and will be patrolling the Bishopsworth area of the city.


CI Corrigan presents PCSO Lee Stevens with his 'student of the course' certificate

I really enjoy attending these events which are a formal way of the force recognising the end of initial training before getting out on the streets and are witnessed by families and friends. It always takes me back to the excitement and expectation of actually getting out from the training environment and dealing with real people.

I am always impressed with the background and skills of the people that we attract and it is clear from the people who have moved from other areas, including Cornwall, and other professions, including engineering, that the police service is viewed in high regard as an employer.

There was a real energy around community policing and serving the public.

Real winter and another explosion to deal with
By Richard Corrigan (1352) 14th January 2010 10:07 AM

Although it is already a couple of weeks ago I hope you all had good Christmas and New Year celebrations. I was on call for part of this period but was only called out twice on Boxing Day so I was able to catch up with family with fairly minimal disruption.

What a start to 2010!! Two periods of heavy snow have made life difficult for everyone in Bristol. As an emergency service it is obviously essential that we have really effective plans to ensure that our staff are available to work and respond to calls from the public. During the first week I managed to get to Broadbury Road police station in South Bristol and after ringing around was delighted to find that 90 per cent of our staff had turned up on time ready to get on with the job.

These people are not supermen and women but the commitment to be here on time, with some leaving home at 4.30am to 'parade' for 7am was something I was very proud of. There were many stories over this period of us catching vehicle criminals by following snow tracks and lots of heart-warming stories of helping people in times of need. Although crime does reduce in times of very poor weather the business of policing does continue with little practical difference in terms of demand. The demand does change to feature more highways issues but the call volume overall does stay about the same.

A week ago today, January 07 2010, a day after the heavy snow, I was at Broadbury Road when we got a call about an explosion at Whitby Road. For those that remember I dealt with a similar incident in Bath about 18 months ago, when cylinders exploded at Southgate. This time the situation was much worse as the explosion had occured at the BOC manufacturing plant and the risk to the wider public was significantly greater.

It was a little like groundhog day as, when I arrived for the first command meeting, the same fire commanders were at the scene as in Bath so the well-rehearsed plan was implemented.

From a police point of view we co-ordinate the response but we are also in charge of certain things, especially in the early stages of an incident like this. In the initial stages we lead on managing access to the scene, cordons and traffic plan, investigation, evacuation and media and communications.

As you will know, seven days after the first explosion, the fire is still burning. The best way of describing this situation is to liken it to a gas hob. If the flame is burning it is reasonably safe although over time the heat will build up so there is a risk. If however you put the flame out and let the gas flow the gas will build up and if there is an ignition you have another explosion. If you apply this to a factory which has hundreds of cylinders and a much larger fire you have some idea of the magnitude of the risk and the danger that the services are dealing with.

I know the incident has caused some disruption, but I hope that knowing what we are dealing with you understand we are just trying to keep everyone safe!

That is all for now, I have to attend various command meetings today which are designed to bring this to a conclusion and we are holding a public meeting to share more detail with those directly affected.

Richard

Plugging in a new computer system!!!
By Richard Corrigan (1352) 16th December 2009 12:18 PM

We have recently plugged in a new computer system and as any of you will know who work with computers, this can be a very trying time.

There are many issues to deal with, from technical issues, to people becoming familiar with a new system and having to adjust to new ways of working.

There is always a feeling that we work around a new system rather than the system fitting around us. I am heading up a local team to ensure we deal effectively with the current teething problems but when we get this working correctly and people get used to the new system it should bring real benefits to way we work. It should free us from some bureacracy and duplication. The system is called SAP which is an international and respected brand. Lewis Hamilton wears their sponsership on his helmet and as I have been saying, alhough he is brilliant he has been known to crash from time to time. If we work through this we should reach the finishing line in better shape.

I also write on the run up to Christmas and New Year and again this will be an exceptionally busy time for our staff. I am working throughout this period and am force "on call" on Boxing Day, so no drinks for me this year!!

Bristol has over 300 licensing premises around the city centre and it is clear with all the festivities and high spirits we will be busy working to keep the streets safe for people to enjoy. I have no doubt that our custody units will be bursting at the seams and people will be waking up with sore heads and not enjoying the kind of breakfast they were hoping for.

My message is always simple, this should be a celebratory time of year, enjoy it but stay safe.

I finish off the year really optimistic for 2010. My parents have never really liked New Year. They always have the view that if it didn't happen this year it will probably happen next, and they are not referring to positive stories. I on the other hand like to be more optimistic. From a policing point of view we have made real progress again this year despite the hardship felt by many people with the economic position. I know that I referred to this last time but by actually looking at the reduction in real victims for important areas of crime, we have a lot to be proud of. All of the below is compared to this time last year and refers to Bristol.

3,400 fewer victims of crime
400 fewer victims of house burglary
450 fewer theft of motor vehicles
880 fewer victims of theft from a motor vehicle.

These are substantial reductions is crimes that matter most to the public. There is always more that can be done and we will all be looking to build on this next year. In the meantime I really do wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and whatever you are doing, please do enjoy it.

Richard