Kingsweston — Neighbourhood Policing Team

Drug activity remains a concern in parts of Lawrence Weston, with reports of street dealing and the suspected use of residential properties for the storage, preparation and cultivation of controlled drugs. This type of activity often takes place within local neighbourhoods and can be highly visible to residents, causing concern and uncertainty about safety in the area. The presence of drug-related activity often has a wider impact on the community. It can contribute to increased anti-social behaviour, violence and intimidation, while also being linked to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including those who may be coerced into involvement through intimidation, debt or other forms of control. These issues can have a lasting effect on both individuals and the wider community. Your neighbourhood policing team is taking a proactive and intelligence-led approach to tackling this issue. We will continue to increase targeted patrols in identified hotspot areas and will make use of stop and search powers where appropriate to disrupt those involved in drug-related activity. We are also focused on gathering and developing intelligence to build a clearer picture of those responsible and take robust enforcement action. Alongside enforcement, we are working closely with partner agencies, including housing providers and local authorities, to identify and take action against addresses linked to drug activity. This includes pursuing closures and other legal measures where necessary, as well as safeguarding individuals who may be at risk of exploitation. We encourage members of the public to continue reporting any concerns or suspicious activity, as information provided by the community plays a vital role in helping us identify patterns, target our resources effectively and take action against those involved. By working together, we aim to reduce drug-related harm and improve safety for everyone living and working in Lawrence Weston.

Set: 2026-06-28

The sale of illicit tobacco, cigarettes and vapes, including to underage children, is a priority concern within the Kingsweston area. This type of activity undermines legitimate businesses, poses serious health risks and is often linked to wider criminality and organised offending within the community. Your neighbourhood policing team is taking a robust approach, working proactively to identify and disrupt any premises suspected of being involved. We are committed to protecting young people, supporting compliant businesses and ensuring those who break the law are held accountable. We are carrying out regular, targeted visits and licensing checks at local stores, working closely with partner agencies such as Trading Standards to ensure compliance with the law. A zero-tolerance approach is being applied where offences are identified. This includes: Seizure of illicit tobacco, cigarettes and vapes Test purchase operations to identify sales to underage individuals Formal action against premises, including warning notices and licence reviews Prosecution of offenders where appropriate We rely on information from the community to help us take action. If you suspect a business is involved in the sale of illicit or underage-restricted products, please report it to Avon and Somerset Police via 101, or contact your local neighbourhood policing team using the details provided on your local beat page. By working together, we can tackle this issue and help keep Kingsweston a safe and lawful place for everyone.

Set: 2026-06-28

Theft and shoplifting continue to be reported across the Kingsweston beat area, particularly within retail locations such as Ridingleaze and nearby industrial estates. Offences range from opportunistic shoplifting to the theft of high‑value industrial tools, vehicles and goods, often involving repeat offenders targeting local businesses. This type of crime can have a significant financial impact and contributes to wider issues such as anti-social behaviour and community concern. Your neighbourhood policing team will be taking a proactive approach by carrying out targeted patrols in identified hotspot locations, including industrial areas vulnerable to tool theft. We will work closely with local businesses to identify and deal robustly with prolific offenders, share crime prevention advice and support reporting. Enforcement action will be taken where appropriate, including arresting repeat offenders and progressing cases through the courts. Officers will also continue to gather intelligence to build stronger cases against those involved in persistent offending. We encourage businesses and members of the public to report incidents and share information, as this helps us take effective, targeted action.

We have worked closely with local shops to bring prolific offenders to justice. We would not have not been able to do so without the support and CCTV from our local businesses. We are continuing targeted patrols in hot spot areas to deter such criminality, but we would like to encourage the reporting of any intelligence and crimes relating to such matters as this helps us take effective, targeted action.

Set: 2026-02-28