Date published: 2024-08-06 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Democracy, Focusing on prevention, public safety
A statement from Bath & North East Somerset Council Leader, Kevin Guy: “Over recent days we have seen a small number of people seeking to bring unacceptable disorder and violence to the streets of our towns and cities, including Bristol, a city with which we share close ties, and whose communities – as our own – are served by Avon and Somerset Police. I wish to express my own thanks to the police officers and staff from other services who have been on the front line of dealing with these disturbances. I know they have acted with courage, professionalism and dedication in the face of quite unacceptable criminality.
“Along with local residents, I would expect the full force of the law to be used in response to criminal behaviour like this.
“In our democracy there is plenty of room for protest and for expressing legitimate concerns. This behaviour is neither, and it does not reflect the values of our own communities here in Bath and North East Somerset or across the wider area. I wholeheartedly support the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody when she says that ‘we are a strong, diverse and vibrant community where people from all walks of life live peacefully alongside one another’.
“The council will continue to work with the police and partners to engage with our diverse communities to ensure that everyone can feel safe.”
ENDS