Cycle Path Robberies Reduced
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:13 am
From the Bristol Evening Post
Bristol to Bath cycle path robberies reduced
Police have reported a marked reduction in the number of robberies on the Bristol to Bath cycle path after five arrests and measures to make the route safer.
Patrols were increased along the Easton stretch of the path with officers on foot and using bikes and motorbikes to cover the route which saw 14 attacks in a week in May.
The city council's parks department has cut back shrubs so there are fewer places where muggers can hide and it has meant the lights along the path have a further range.
The council also plans to improve lighting under a bridge.
Five people were arrested and four have been charged with robbery.
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Beat manager for the Easton area PC Terry Preece said: "As a result of the above initiatives, the number of robberies in June and July has significantly reduced.
"One of the problems has been identifying exactly where on the track an incident has occurred when a call is received. "This has delayed the police response times.
"The longer term plan in conjunction with Sustrans will be a system where there will be numbered markers all along the cycle track.
"When someone calls in, if they quote this marker number the police will be able to pinpoint the exact location and be on the scene much quicker.
"This will also have benefits for the other emergency services if for example some is taken ill on the cycle track.
"Although there has been this reduction we would still recommend that people who use the cycle track take basic personal safety precautions when using it."
A masked gang armed with baseball bats carried out 14 attacks along the cycle track.
One victim had his jaw smashed and another his head split open by the youths carrying out the attacks.
In some of the incidents, victims were robbed of their bikes, mobile phones and wallets, but in others nothing was taken.
In one attack marine biologist Nicky Simpson, 31, and her boyfriend Matt Stokes, 32, a solicitor, were beaten with baseball bats as they rode on the cycle path between Easton Community Centre and Devon Road.
A gang of eight youngsters, their faces masked with bandanas, jumped out of bushes and stole their bikes after smashing Mr Stokes across the back of the head.
Bristol to Bath cycle path robberies reduced
Police have reported a marked reduction in the number of robberies on the Bristol to Bath cycle path after five arrests and measures to make the route safer.
Patrols were increased along the Easton stretch of the path with officers on foot and using bikes and motorbikes to cover the route which saw 14 attacks in a week in May.
The city council's parks department has cut back shrubs so there are fewer places where muggers can hide and it has meant the lights along the path have a further range.
The council also plans to improve lighting under a bridge.
Five people were arrested and four have been charged with robbery.
Click here!
Beat manager for the Easton area PC Terry Preece said: "As a result of the above initiatives, the number of robberies in June and July has significantly reduced.
"One of the problems has been identifying exactly where on the track an incident has occurred when a call is received. "This has delayed the police response times.
"The longer term plan in conjunction with Sustrans will be a system where there will be numbered markers all along the cycle track.
"When someone calls in, if they quote this marker number the police will be able to pinpoint the exact location and be on the scene much quicker.
"This will also have benefits for the other emergency services if for example some is taken ill on the cycle track.
"Although there has been this reduction we would still recommend that people who use the cycle track take basic personal safety precautions when using it."
A masked gang armed with baseball bats carried out 14 attacks along the cycle track.
One victim had his jaw smashed and another his head split open by the youths carrying out the attacks.
In some of the incidents, victims were robbed of their bikes, mobile phones and wallets, but in others nothing was taken.
In one attack marine biologist Nicky Simpson, 31, and her boyfriend Matt Stokes, 32, a solicitor, were beaten with baseball bats as they rode on the cycle path between Easton Community Centre and Devon Road.
A gang of eight youngsters, their faces masked with bandanas, jumped out of bushes and stole their bikes after smashing Mr Stokes across the back of the head.
One in the eye for the local politicians and consultants. Nobody wants a stinky cheap bus and we certainly told 'em so. But would it be different if the proposal were to put the railway back in?
