Police Roundup

Wednesday 16th May 2012

Flat Burglary in Tuffley – Appeal for Information

Police are appealing for information after a flat in Tuffley was burgled.

The incident happened in Stratford Close at around 3pm last Wednesday (May 9).

The offender entered the flat and stole £250 in cash.

Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area around the time of the burglary is urged to call Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 202 of May 9.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org. In some cases Crimestoppers offer rewards of up to £1000 where information leads to a conviction.

A 16-year-old boy from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident. He has been bailed to attend Gloucester police station on June 14, pending further inquiries.

Racist Abuse in Cheltenham – Witness Appeal

Police in Cheltenham are investigating after a report of racist verbal abuse in the town.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm on Saturday May 12 in the Berkeley Street, High Street area of town.

A 41-year-old man from Cheltenham was with his young daughter when a black car slowed down and a woman driver shouted racist abuse at him out of the window.

She is described as a white woman, with a large build and brown hair and she was in a black car possibly a Vauxhall.

PC Nicola Jones is investigating, she said: “This man and his young daughter were very distressed by this incredibly offensive abuse.

“This sort of disgusting behaviour is simply not acceptable and we will do all we can to find the woman involved.

“The victim has reported a number of passers-by were also shocked by this incident and we would urge them to come forward and tell us what they saw.”

If you have any information that could help this investigation please call police on 101 quoting incident 261 of May 12.

You can also give information anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org and you may receive a reward if someone is arrested and charged.

Tuesday 15th May 2012

Laptop with Family Photos Stolen in Cheltenham Burglary

Police are appealing for information after a burglary in Cheltenham at the weekend.

The incident happened between 11pm on Friday May 11 and 7.30am on Saturday May 12 at the house in Leckhampton Lane.

The offenders appear to have forced the garage and got in through an intergral door.

They have stolen various items from the house including a Mac Book Pro and keys to two cars, one of which has then been stolen.

The Mercedes Benz C220 was later found in Yeend Close, Cheltenham.

The car had some property in the boot including a Britax double pushchair and Maxi Cosi car seat, none of these things have been recovered.

The family is very keen for the laptop to be returned as it contains some irreplaceable photos and documents.

If you have any information that could help this investigation please call police on 101 quoting incident 147 of May 12.

You can also give information anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org and you may receive a reward if someone is arrested and charged.

Witness Appeal as Man Tries to Rob Woman of Phone in Southgate Street

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man tried to rob a woman of her phone in Southgate Street in Gloucester.

The 40-year-old victim was talking on her phone outside Subway at about 4pm last Friday (May 11) when the would-be robber cycled up from behind her and tried to grab the handset.

The woman attempted to wrestle it away from the attacker and when he let it go it struck her in the mouth, causing a small cut to her lip and dislodging a tooth. He then cycled off along Longsmith Street.

The offender is described as white, in his late 40s or early 50s, approximately 5ft 5ins tall, of slim build and with short greying hair. He was wearing a baseball cap and a plain light grey jacket with a hood.

Anyone with information is urged to call Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 305 of May 11.

Monday 14th May 2012

Man Suffers Fractured Cheekbone in Prom Vaults Assault – Witness Appeal

Police in Cheltenham are appealing for witnesses to an assault at a bar in the town that left a man with a fractured jaw.

The incident happened between 2am and 2.15am on Saturday May 12 at the Prom Vaults on The Promenade.

The 43-year-old victim was assaulted while at the bar and officers are eager to hear from anyone who was there to call the new non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 247 of May 12.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org. In some cases Crimestoppers offer rewards of up to £1000 where information leads to a conviction.

Two Boys Arrested in Connection with Coney Hill Fire

Police have arrested two boys on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire in Coney Hill in Gloucester on Saturday (May 12).

Officers were called to the scene at a flat in Coney Hill Parade at about 7.50pm.

The fire service extinguished the blaze and ensured the residents were safe while the ambulance service treated a man for smoke inhalation.

Two boys aged 17 and 12 and from Gloucester were arrested later on Saturday night on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident. They have been bailed to attend Gloucester police station on July 9, pending further inquiries.

Friday 11th May 2012

Buttermere Close and Brooklyn Road Incident

A police cordon has been extended in Cheltenham as police searches continue in Up Hatherley.

This morning, Friday May 11, officers searched a home in Brooklyn Road in the Hester’s Way area and arrested a 52-year-old local man under the Explosives Substances Act 1883.

Further inquiries have been carried out as part of the operation and at approximately 10am today police found items requiring further investigation in a garage in Buttermere Close in the Up Hatherley area.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are at both the address in Up Hatherley and the address in Hester’s Way.

Following this discovery, officers evacuated around 40 or 50 homes from a 100 metre cordon near a garage in Buttermere Close as a precaution.

Following developments during the search the cordon that was in place has now been extended to 200 metres to ensure the safety of all local residents whilst investigators examine what the items found consist of. The total cordon area now encompasses in excess 100 homes.

Superintendent Neil Mantle said: “We would like to thank all of the local residents for their patience and understanding during our actions today and their ongoing support of our investigation.

“As we’re sure everyone understands we want to ensure that the area is 100% safe before people can re-enter their homes. We know this is frustrating but the safety of Cheltenham residents is paramount in all the work we do.

“We will be working with our partner agencies to ensure that this period is as comfortable for all those evacuated as possible.”

Two rest centres are open for the community; these are St Margaret’s Hall on Coniston Road and Hillview Community Centre.

Police are not able to say when those evacuated will be able to return to their homes but have reassured the community that it will be as soon as possible when it is safe to do so.

In the meantime those evacuated are advised to take belongings to prepare for an overnight stay, in case that is required, especially any medication.

Families evacuated are asked to lock their property but Gloucestershire Police are reassuring residents that they will be securing the area within the police cordon.

Any residents affected by this incident can ring 0800 092 0410 to be directed to further information.

For the full, latest updates on this inquiry residents are encouraged to visit the Constabulary's website at www.gloucestershire.police.uk, Facebook page or Twitter feed.

The operation is not currently being treated as a terrorist related incident and is not believed to be in any way connected to a gas explosion on Rosehill Street in Cheltenham yesterday evening, Thursday May 10.

A 31-year-old man has also been arrested under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 in connection to the operation.

Horse and £20,000 Worth of Suspected of Counterfeit Clothing Seized at Stow Horse Fair

The RSPCA and Gloucestershire Trading Standards have been supported by Cotswold District Council and Gloucestershire Police in ensuring animal welfare and cracking down on counterfeit goods at the Stow Horse Fair.

During the event in Stow-on-the-Wold yesterday, Thursday May 10, RSPCA officers were ensuring the welfare of animals on the site and offering advice to owners on appropriate care.

During the event one young horse was seized by RSPCA officers as there were concerns over its welfare.

The yearling cob, which was lame on his left hind leg, is black in colour with white blaze and two white socks on his hind legs.

The RSPCA are eager to speak to anyone who knows who the horse belongs to.

The operation also aimed to target those selling puppies at the event. It is an offence to sell a pet puppy in a public place without a licence and the offence can carry a £2000 fine.

As a result of the operation one person has been reported for the sale of the potential pets and one puppy is now in the care of the RSPCA.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Lee Hopgood said: "We would urge members of the public not to buy puppies from events such as Stow Horse Fair. Some of the traders in puppies at these events are not simply selling an accidental litter of puppies, many of them are breeding and selling dogs purely for profit. This is obvious to see as they often have more than one litter of puppies, of different breeds and ages. With breeders who sell for profit the welfare standards for the animals is not their first priority and the background of the dogs is unknown.

"A licence is required to sell animals in a public place and no one is licensed to sell puppies from Stow Fair so by purchasing a puppy from the event you are supporting this illegal trade. Quite simply if people did not buy the puppies, the illegal trade would stop.

"Every year the RSPCA is contacted by people who have purchased a puppy from Stow Fair due to the animal becoming sick within hours of getting home. Last year we found a puppy in a dreadful condition that had been purchased by a member of the public. We had to take him directly to a veterinary surgeon who stated that he was in a suffering state due to neglect. We would appeal to the public to consider giving a home to a rescue dog that is patiently waiting on a new home rather than ever considering purchasing a puppy from a market or horse fair. I would also advise all dog owners to have their pets neutered to prevent unwanted litters of puppies which often end up being abandoned or neglected."

More than £20,000 worth of suspected counterfeit clothing was seized by Trading Standards officials carrying out checks at the Fair.

The suspected counterfeit ‘brands’ included; Paul Boutique, Polo Ralph Lauren, Juicy Couture, Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein, Hello Kitty, Fred Perry, Superdry, Adidas and Nike.

Eddie Coventry, Head of Trading standards said: “We have seen an increase in the sale of counterfeit products at this event and it is clear from complaints made to us that the public and legitimate traders are concerned about this.”

The clothing was confiscated and officers seized around £4000 in cash from those suspected of selling the goods.

“We are pleased to have been able to work together with the Police and District Council to co-ordinate our work to tackle this problem and show that Gloucestershire will not be an easy target for people looking to gain from unfair and illegal trading,” Mr Coventry added.

Both Gloucestershire Constabulary and Cotswold District Council supported the operations carried out at the Fair.

Cllr David Fowles, Cabinet Member for the Environment at Cotswold District Council, said: “We are always keen to protect animal welfare, reduce negative aspects of the Fair and any illegal activity to help ensure that the event runs as smoothly as possible.

“The efforts mounted this year by the RSPCA and Trading Standards to stamp out illegal trade has certainly helped the council, the police and other partners achieve these aims.”

Police officers were on hand to support both operations where appropriate, alongside the regular patrols they carry out at the event in order to reassure the public and ensure the Fair stays safe for all involved.

One trader, a 50-year-old man from Rochester, was arrested at the event for possession of a class A drug. He was issued with a formal caution for possession of amphetamine.

A second trader was issued with a street caution for possession of cannabis.

Chief Inspector Rob Priddy from Gloucestershire Police said: “We were pleased to support both of these operations in order to ensure the law is upheld at the Stow Fair.

“We hope that the actions taken yesterday act as a warning to others engaging in these types of activities that they will not be tolerated. We will be looking to run similar operations in the future.”

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