Our final UWE Bristol Policing blog for 2024 authored by 999 PC Elf, seeks to bring a touch of Christmas spirit to policing during this challenging time of year.
Hello everyone, so nice to be out and about again after 11 months being stuck in the office drawer. I say stuck but, in all honesty, I need the sleep after a December, is such a busy period for us Elves on the force. First on the agenda (and before the uniform goes on), a quick mince pie and if I’m lucky, a Starbucks coffee and I’m ready to go. Next, it’s catching up with the events of the last 11 months which let me tell you, is no mean feat. UWE and Avon and Somerset Police have been really busy. Another four Apprenticeship cohorts, a new DHEP neighbourhood route and the launch of the Applied Criminal Justice Top-Up (they’re a motley crew!) its busy, busy, busy. Oh and of course a change of government both here and across the pond…I think I need another mince pie!
The night time economy appears to be going well. I was patrolling last Friday night in the city centre and there were plenty of young people enjoying the nightlife (some a little too much it seems) but lots of taxis taking them home. BBC news has also reported that Bristol has won the Best Night Time Initiative Award for its Women’s Safety Charter Campaign. The seven-point code and providing the bystander intervention training to 500-night safety champions proving successful. This is great news, certainly makes us PC Elves feel better knowing that women, girls and female elves are safer.
Next to get teamsing to my counterparts across the area. These meetings tend to drag on a bit but good to share information and let’s face it, we’re pretty darn good at sharing information – how else would we know which officer wants what for Christmas and make sure that all the presents are secure until Christmas eve? Got to watch that lot – “oi, no peeking!”. Also need to make plans for wrapping, delivery and helping Santa get in and out of the station without being caught!
Last, but by no means least is preparing for the New Year festivities. Custody can be a nightmare this time of year so a quick visit to Bridewell, make sure the cells are in ship shape condition, ready for any invited guests over the course of the month, and especially for those New Years Eve celebrations. A briefing session, check the tyre pressures, lights and sirens are working and we’ll be ready. Hopefully it will be a quiet one. There’s been lots of ‘drink driving’ signage out and we know that everyone just wants to have a good time. Trouble is, those elves can get a bit rowdy, especially as they know they have eleven months to sleep it off!
Well, things to do, elves to see…but from us to you, our serving police officers (and elves) and all Blue light services, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe New Year.
999PC Elf …
999 PC Elf would like to acknowledge Associate Director’s of Policing Dr Anne Eason & Sarah Williams, for their fantastic support in creating this blog.
Editorial Team
The Editorial Team would like extend our thanks and gratitude to all of our guest contributors during 2024.
We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.
Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).
If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact police.blog@uwe.ac.uk