Barnwood & Hucclecote Community Policing

Hucclecote Police Station is no longer in operation. Our Local Policing Team is now based at Gloucester Central Police Station, 223 Barton Street, Gloucester GL1 4HT.

With the transfer of our local Policing Team from Hucclecote Police Station to Barton Street, it is perhaps an opportune time to review our Local Policing Team (LPT), Contacts, Current Initiatives and some of the different ways that we can help to safeguard both the community and ourselves.

Let’s start by re introducing our Barnwood & Hucclecote Community Local Policing Team (LPT). The Community Policing Teams covering our areas are headed by Police Sergeant Karen Horsley, supported by Police Constable Andy Plant. The Community Police Officers designated to each Community are Kate Beck and Claire Long who look after Barnwood and Coney Hill, whilst Khim and Adam are responsible for the Communities in Hucclecote, Abbeydale and Upton St Leonards. You can see them patrolling your area and remember they are there to help safeguard both people and property, so don’t be afraid to approach them for advice or to pass on information as they are always receptive.

Despite what seems to be an ever changing policing force, our local Policing team remains in place and is undoubtedly committed to our communities, by focusing on priorities and implementing initiatives.

Current & Ongoing Initiatives
An example of a current initiative involved road speed checks on Barnwood road, working in conjunction with two civilians in the form of local Councilors Lisa Noakes and Taren Randall. The objective was to monitor vehicle speeds along a specific section of the road. During the check, several vehicle owners were warned for driving over 35mph in the 30 mph limit, even on this busy road! Therefore please note that further checks are planned in both the Barnwood and Abbeymead areas in the very near future.

Ongoing Initiatives Include: “Lock It or Lose It”! Following a spate of burglaries during last year the Gloucestershire Policing Teams promoted the “Lock It or Lose It” campaign. However, as we start a new year and to avoid any complacency, it is worth reiterating this critical message.

As the Police explained the problem has meant opportunist burglars, who have become very wise to it, have simply been trying doors in a number of areas across the city until they come across an insecure door. It was found that many of the burglars got in through unlocked front doors when occupants have been in bed asleep! Of course the impact can be devastating and cause huge disruption to people's lives. Insecure doors can also of course void your home insurance. Although the Police have caught a number of offenders, they still need us to be vigilant and “help ourselves”. By routinely checking doors and windows when going out or going to bed is a simple but effective deterrent in itself.

Here are a few useful tips to help us focus on security:

It only takes a minute to lock your doors and windows; to hide valuables and keep out of view, remembering to dispose of packaging for expensive items properly.

Being a victim of sneak-in burglary can have both emotional and financial effects. High value goods are costly to replace if stolen, and items such as phones and cameras often hold information with sentimental value such as photos, which cannot be replaced. Remember that many insurance companies will not pay out if your home has been burgled while insecure and finally don’t forget to lock up your garden furniture and tools.

More advice can be found at the crime reduction pages of www.gloucestershire.police.uk.

Neighbourhood Watch forms part of a safeguarding action for the whole community and is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves your local Policing Team, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Neighbourhood watch or meeting personally with the Policing team, there are opportunities every month, either at the Barnwood Police Information Point, held on 2nd Monday of every month, at St Lawrence Church 1000-1100hrs. Or at the Hucclecote Library Police Information Point on the First Saturday of every month Police Information Point, Hucclecote Library - 11am - 12noon.  

All members of our local community are welcome to the Meetings.