Kingswood has the highest crime levels in South Glos but action is being taken to tackle the problem

There's much to be proud of in Kingswood - good shops, schools, leisure facilities and pubs, and some fantastic parks and open spaces. In many ways it's a great place to live and work.

But it's a fact that our crime levels are the highest in the whole of South Gloucestershire, even though the district has a significantly lower crime rate than the national average.

Statistics show there are around 770 more 'priority crimes' in Kingswood every year than would be expected for the level of population. Priority crimes include burglary, theft from and of vehicles, robbery, violent crime and criminal damage.

A group called the Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership is meeting tomorrow and is expected to set up a new group to co-ordinate work to reduce crime in Kingswood, and, with the majority of violent crime in South Gloucestershire related to alcohol and the night-time economy, to tackle that too.

Tomorrow also sees the civic launch of Kingswood's Street Pastor scheme - the first scheme of its kind in the Greater Bristol and South Gloucestershire area - to care for people who find themselves in need of help in the town centre late at night.

The aim is to bring a sense of reassurance and safety to the streets of Kingswood at night. Nationally, Street Pastors have contributed to a significant reduction in crime levels - sometimes dramatically.

The Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership will be considering a hefty document called the Joint Strategic Assessment of Crime Disorder South Gloucestershire 2010/11.

The report has input from organisations including the police, Probation and Criminal Justice Intervention Team, council, and NHS South Gloucestershire.

The police analysis of crime in Kingswood separates offences into two categories: either linked to the town's night-time economy (pubs, bars, takeaways and clubs) or so-called 'acquisitive crime', - burglary, robbery and vehicle crime.

Police say the offences linked to the night-time economy include assaults and criminal damage and centre on the Regent Street/High Street area, "with strong links to recreational drug use". The peak time for offending is between 8pm and 11pm at weekends.

There is a also a trend for acquisitive crime and criminal damage in the Regent Street/High Street area and in New Cheltenham throughout the week. Offenders also shoplift in the town centre. Police say acquisitive crime offenders are likely to be class A drug users, taking heroin or crack cocaine.

Regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB), Kingswood generates the highest level of calls in South Gloucestershire. Between October 2009 and September 2010 there were almost 1,800 ASB-related calls in Kingswood, compared to around 100 in Thornbury on the other side of the district.

There was a 50 per cent rise in complaints about street drinking and a 160 per cent rise in fireworks-related problems. The partnership is advised to set up a sub-group to look at Kingswood in more depth and better understand the type of ASB being committed in the area, including detailed on work on day, time and the people involved.

The Probation and Criminal Justice Intervention Team says in its report that it has seen an increase in more violent offences with those who misuse alcohol and that data clearly indicates the problematic areas as Kingswood and Hanham and Yate. They say there is a need for an “educational” approach as many clients do not appreciate they are drinking in a harmful way.

NHS South Gloucestershire estimates that 73,000 people in the district, most of them male, are 'problematic' drinkers (from hazardous or harmful, to binge drinkers or dependant drinkers). This could rise to more than 81,000 by 2019 if current patterns relating to drinking and population growth increase. With the population of South Gloucestershire estimated to be 262,200, that's almost 29 per cent of the population.

Preliminary analysis on data collected through Frenchay Hospital's Alcohol and Assaults project has alcohol involvement included in 53 per cent of all assaults recorded. Figures also reveal 'significant increases' in the number of people in the Kings Chase and Staple Hill area being admitted to hospital for alcohol related.

To read the report in full click here.

Meanwhile the launch of the Street Pastors scheme is being held at Kingswood Salvation Army Citadel in Two Mile Hill Road tomorrow night when local churches' plans for a youth outreach project to target the streets, parks and bus shelters of Kingswood will also be showcased.

The Street Pastors scheme has already been going for some months, and is led by local vicar the Rev Andy Mason.

Among those attending the launch will be Bishop Lee, Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore and Community Beat Officer Lee Humpreys.

The meeting will also be addressed by Major Martin Hill, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army in the South West, who is also a senior representative of the Ascension Trust, the national parent body of Street Pastors.

Members of churches in Kingswood are preparing to train as Street Pastors, who wear a distinctive uniform when on patrol and have radio communication with the CCTV control centre, police and licensed premises’ door staff.

In teams of at least four people, each of whom work a minimum of one night a month, usually on Saturdays from 10pm to around 4am, the volunteers provide practical support, prayer, care and counsel - but don't preach.

Andy Mason said: "This is the most significant night so far in our journey to bring Street Pastors to Kingswood as it is our opportunity to share the vision with local people. Churches in Kingswood are uniting together to bless and encourage our community and to celebrate the exciting things we believe God is doing among us.

“We will showcase a short presentation from Churches Together setting out our five-year vision to develop an ‘outreach hub’ shop on the High Street. The project has the working title of ‘The Living Room’ to emphasise the broad aims of the initiative.

"It is hoped that the partnership will also sponsor a youth outreach project impacting the streets, parks and bus shelters of Kingswood.”

Major Hill said: “It is amazing the impact that Street Pastors is having around the country, bringing a sense of reassurance and safety. I am encouraged by the joint working of Kingswood churches to develop a Street Pastor team willing to serve the patrons of the night-time economy. "The role is not about preaching, but one of listening, caring and helping; offering support in an unconditional way."

Have you been affected by crime in Kingswood? Let us know - and tell us what you think of the Street Pastors scheme