Step inside our control room… without leaving your sofa

Ever wondered what our call room staff face during a busy shift? Now’s your chance to find out. 

To launch Control Room Week (26-31 October), we’ll be bringing you live social media coverage straight from the heart of our operations between 1pm and 9pm on Monday 26 October. 

Using Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Stories, our social media team will share basic, anonymised details of calls being received throughout the shift, where doing so will not impact frontline policing. From routine enquiries to unexpected emergencies, the updates will offer a real-time glimpse into the volume and variety of demand faced by officers and staff every day. 

You’ll also get to meet some of the people behind the calls, radios and computer screens. Throughout the day we’ll be shining a spotlight on the vital roles that keep Avon and Somerset moving, including call handlers, dispatchers and force incident managers Our control room handles every 999 and 101 call made across Avon and Somerset. As well as supporting members of the public at often challenging moments, staff assess risk, coordinate resources and helping officers respond to incidents as they unfold. 

Head of Command and Control Tara Bryant said:  

“Control Room Week is an important opportunity to recognise the incredible work our control room teams do every day, often behind the scenes and out of the public eye. Our staff are the first point of contact for thousands of people each year, providing reassurance, gathering vital information and making sure the right help gets to the right place as quickly as possible. 

No two calls are ever the same. During a single shift, our teams can deal with everything from routine enquiries and welfare concerns to reports of serious crimes and life-threatening emergencies. The volume, variety and unpredictability of that demand means staff must constantly assess risk, prioritise incidents and make critical decisions under pressure. 

The professionalism, resilience and judgement shown by our call handlers, dispatchers and incident managers play a vital role in keeping people safe across Avon and Somerset. By giving the public a behind-the-scenes look at a live shift, we hope to provide a better understanding of the challenges our teams face, the skills they bring to the role and the difference they make every day.”

So grab a drink, settle into your favourite seat and join us live. Follow @ASPolice on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok stories between 1pm and 9pm on Monday 26 October to see policing through the eyes of our control room teams. 

If you can’t join us live, you’ll be able to catch up throughout Control Room Week via highlights on Instagram and TikTok channels.