Latest news with #ChrisNelson
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Illegal bikes 'not easy to stop'
Illegal e-bikes "are not easy to stop" and a "large number of resources are needed to intercept" them, a police commissioner issue of illegally modified e-bikes reaching high speeds in pedestrianised areas of Cheltenham and Gloucester was discussed at a police and crime panel at Shire Hall on 11 July. During the meeting, Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson described the vehicles as "difficult to catch" as councillors voiced their concerns. However, he also said a specific "high resource" operation run by Cheltenham's neighbourhood policing team to address the issue had been "perfected" in the city. "It's very effective, it works but it's very resource intensive," he said, adding it had not yet been used in Gloucester, according to the Local Democracy Reporting speaking during the meeting, Gloucester councillor Jeremy Hilton said the "souped-up bicycles" were a real problem in the city centre."It's absolutely frustrating, I've not seen a police officer stop these individuals," he said, adding he had been particularly concerned to see bikes on Westgate Street "just miss elderly ladies and gentlemen". Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said Gloucestershire Constabulary was taking the issue seriously, telling the meeting her team would "come back with plans and make sure you're updated". And Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint added that e-bikes were an issue nationally. She said officers were looking at some "focussed activity" on e-bikes and e-scooters."We are committed to looking at this," she said.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gloucestershire in pictures: Sculptures and celebrations
Gloucestershire has had another scorcher of a week - and has provided the usual stunning settings. This week, the Gromit Unleashed trail has kicked off in Bristol and parts of Gloucestershire - including WWT Slimbridge. There have also been celebrations for twins in the county who have received an international award for archery. Gorgeous: Doesn't this look like a painting? It's a stunning shot captured in Cirencester by our weather watcher, C F always keen to see your corner of the county so please do keep sending your photographs to us. Clampdown: A new initiative is starting in Gloucester in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour in the city. Chris Nelson, Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said anti-social behaviour increases in the summer, with his office recording 256 incidents in July, August and September in 2024, at a rate of about three incidents per day. Stunning views: What a beautiful shot! This was captured by our weather watcher Space Walker and shows a stunning setting across Birdlip. Meet El Plumas: This sculpture is part of the Gromit Unleashed trail and will be on site at WWT Slimbridge until the end of design was by director Jorge R. Gutierrez - with inspiration from The Book of Life and the Mexican holiday The Day of the Dead. Congratulations: Identical twins who won an international 'child prodigy' award in archery say they have set their sights on the 2032 and Amber Snell, who are 14-years-old, are known as the "archery twins of Gloucestershire" and have broken 13 national records. Celebrations: Stroud General Hospital has been celebrating its 150th anniversary this week with former and current moved to its current site in 1875 and provides the surrounding area with inpatient and outpatient services, including a minor injuries and illness image above shows a model replica of the hospital made from old items from the hospital over the years, like floor scourers and bits of sponge. Beautiful Stroud: This is a firm favourite for us this week. How beautiful is this? And the splash of purple makes it even more so. Thanks to our weather watcher, Abstract Emotion, for sending in this stunning photo taken at Painswick.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- BBC News
Gloucestershire PCC says heat 'brings worst out of people'
A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has warned that the summer months "bring the worst out of people" as a new safety initiative is organisations and emergency services launched the Safer Streets Summer Initiative in Kings Square on Monday in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Nelson, Gloucestershire's PCC, said ASB increases in the summer, with his office recording 256 incidents in July, August and September in 2024, at a rate of about three incidents per Issachar Foster from The Music Works, which supports young people, said those engaging in ASB may be doing so "out of boredom". Mr Nelson said ASB "often goes underreported" due to the public thinking the police "won't do anything about it"."We do, and we've improved our 101 reporting system so the average waiting time is less than one minute," he said."In the summer months, when the sun comes out, it tends to bring the worst out of people. "People get short-tempered, drinking in the streets - that's often how it is made worse." Alex McIntyre, MP for Gloucester, was also at the launch and said those who have experienced ASB "wouldn't describe it as low level"."It's persistent, it annoys the hell out of you and it really can cause misery to people's lives," he said."It's so important that we tackle it and that people can come to the city centre, feel safe... and make this the most brilliant place to come and spend the day." Mr Foster, creative programme manager at The Music Works, said the youth-led organisation helps young people access music."We have reached a lot of young people, especially in the last few years but there's still so many more for us to reach," he said."I definitely do think young people get a bad rep but then, at the same time, I think there's nothing for them to do, so where they might act out of boredom then it might be perceived as a whole lot more."
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Juneteenth Block party at African American Museum in Philadelphia ends early due to severe weather
The Juneteenth Block Party at the African American Museum in Philadelphia was forced to end early Thursday due to severe weather. The holiday celebration was temporarily paused for roughly 30 minutes around 3 p.m. and patrons returned before another round of storms cancelled the event entirely. Before the severe weather, about 1,000 people showed up at the block party to celebrate the holiday. It was a showcase of unity with people from all walks of life in attendance. "It's awesome to see our people and everybody come together for a common cause," said Chris Nelson from Morton. "During this political climate, where there's a lot of divisiveness, an event like [this] highlights the history of [Juneteenth] and also brings us together as a people. The importance of togetherness, the importance of us having the opportunity to share music," said Dr. Kendrah Butler-Waters from Glenside. The celebration included vendors of all kinds, food trucks and interactive activities for kids. It also featured several performances that ended with a set from DJ Drama. More artists were scheduled to perform, but never took the stage because of the storms. Ameerah K was one of the vendors at the celebration. She is an artist whose work is inspired by Black entertainers. She said it was important for her to be a part of the event. "It's important that we continue to embrace events like this that celebrate diversity and celebrate just how unique the history of Black people are and how far we've come," she said. As part of the Juneteenth celebration, admission to the African American Museum was also free. Arcina Henry stood in the long line of people waiting to get in. She said she believes the day is worth celebrating, but she also believes it should be a day of reflection to learn from the past. "A lot of times with our culture, we don't know as much about ourselves as we should. This is a holiday that we should have been celebrating years ago, but we were not aware of it. Now that we've come into the light, we have to make it what it needs to be and we have to continue to spread the word and the significance of Juneteenth," Henry said.
ITV News
30-05-2025
- ITV News
Why Gloucestershire Police will no longer be using terms like 'revenge porn'
Police in Gloucestershire say they're no longer using terms like 'revenge porn' and 'groping', in an effort to reduce victim blaming and misogyny. The force said it hopes to improve how male violence towards women and girls is communicated to the public. It's hoped the new Words Matter reporting guidelines will place responsibility on perpetrators and improve accuracy by naming the crime that has been committed. ' A problem of epidemic proportions' According to ONS statistics: One in four women has been raped or sexually assaulted since the age of 16 Six in seven rapes against women are carried out by someone they know 71,227 rapes were recorded by police in England and Wales in 2024 Charges had been brought in just 2.7% of these cases by the end of the year In 2021, Ofsted found that 9 in 10 girls and young women in schools say sexist name-calling and being sent unwanted images of a sexual nature happens to them or other girls their age. Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Chris Nelson said: "When it comes to crimes like domestic abuse, sexual assaults and many others, it is a statistical fact that men are the main perpetrators and women the main victims. "Anyone can be abused, but the misogynistic abuse women and girls face every day has become normalised in our society. It is a problem of epidemic proportions." What changes can you expect to see? Gloucestershire Police's Violence Against Women and Girls lead, Detective Chief Superintendent Kerry Patterson, said that the new guidelines will initiate "subtle but powerful changes in the right direction". They include advice on using active language which makes it clear that the perpetrator is responsible for their actions. She explained: "Stating that a man raped a woman, rather than a woman was raped by a man, clearly puts the responsibility on the perpetrator, and goes towards ending victim blaming language in our communication with both the public and press." PCC Chris Nelson added: "Women are not 'groped' in clubs, men are sexually assaulting them. Women are not 'playing hard to get', men are raping them." The guidelines instruct to avoid euphemisms which can downplay the severity of the crime. For example, using the term "revenge porn" to describe image-based abuse implies the person affected acted in ways that necessitate revenge. Similarly, describing the rape or sexual abuse of a child with phrases like "man had sex with a 14-year-old" implies the child was able to consent. What difference will this make? Work on the Words Matter guidelines began in August 2022, and the founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, Nick Gazzard, was on the initial panel to advise on the project. The trust was created after 20-year-old Hollie Gazzard was murdered by an ex-partner in 2014. A spokesperson from the trust explained that "plain and clear language" was essential in showing that decisions to commit crimes against women and girls are made by the perpetrators alone. They said: "It's about recognising that the harm that can be done to a victim or surviver or their family is immense if you're not being as factual as possible." They added: "Hopefully, the media will take the lead from the way the police communication team deliver that information. "Some of these worrying attitudes that the police are referring to are really hard to change but you have to start somewhere." Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, of Gloucestershire Police and the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, said: "If the use of inappropriate language around women and girls continues, then there will not only be a decrease in trust and confidence, but more worryingly a further rise to the already increasing culture of misogyny being learnt across fast-moving platforms, especially among younger people. "And if this is allowed to continue these views and opinions may manifest into more serious threats." Co-founder and Managing Director of This Ends Now, Sydney-Anne McAllister said: "With a focus on women's safety rather than holding perpetrators to account, male violence against women and girls is generally reported on in a victim blaming and misogynistic way. "More often than not, reports also downplay the seriousness of crimes and fail to acknowledge that male violence against women and girls is a systemic issue. "We believe that when would-be perpetrators know their actions will no longer be excused through language and power structures, they will stop abusing women and girls. By changing how these crimes are communicated, we can hold perpetrators to account. The Words Matter guidelines are believed to be the first of their kind in UK police communications. You can contact their Wiltshire support line on 01225 775276 or their Devon support centre on 0345 155 1074. Other resources available include:
