Weekend described as being “busier than New Year”

A senior Warwickshire police officer has described the weekend just gone as being “busier than New Year.”

Call handlers answered 2540 calls between Friday and Sunday, 868 of which were 999 calls. The 263 999 calls received on Saturday was the most the force has received in a single day for more than three years.

The custody block was busy as well with 49 people arrested over the weekend (between 5pm on Friday 11 June and 9am yesterday (Monday 14 June)). Twenty-eight of these were for violent offences – 15 of which were domestic. Two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police officers.

Twenty-five people were in custody on suspicion of committing alcohol related offences. This included seven people in connection with domestic incidents, five on suspicion of other violent incidents, eight on suspicion of drink driving and two on suspicion of assaulting police officers.

Arrests over the weekend included:
• Three men arrested on suspicion of assault following a report of a fight in Mason Avenue, Leamington on Friday night. All three were later bailed while enquiries continue.
• A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a collision on White Hart Lane, Ufton on Saturday evening. He was later released under investigation while enquiries continue.
• A 32-year-old man from Coventry arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a car failed to stop for police on the M6. The car was eventually stopped in Ambleside Road, Bedworth and the man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop. He was later released under investigation while enquiries continue.
• The passenger in the car stopped in Ambleside Road, Bedworth was also arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply. While in custody it is alleged he assaulted a police officer and was also arrested in connection with this. He was bailed while enquiries continue.
• A 62-year-old man from Warwick was arrested following a report of a man being assaulted with a baseball bat at a pub in Lapworth in the early hours of Sunday morning. The man was arrested on suspicion of assault and drink driving after officers stopped a car a short time later. He was later bailed while enquiries continue.
• A 28-year-old man from Solihull was arrested following a report a man had been slashed with a blade at a pub in Market Place, Warwick on Sunday night. The man was arrested on suspicion of assault and drink driving after officers stopped a car a short time later. He was later bailed while enquiries continue.
• An officer was allegedly spat at after he responded to a report of criminal damage at a property in Sandy Way, Barford on Sunday night. A 16-year-old girl from Barford was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith said: “It was an extremely busy weekend for officers, busier than we would expect to see over New Year. The one common factor in many of the offences we responded to was alcohol. We continually urge people to drink responsibly and know their limits but too many times people don’t heed this advice and find themselves in trouble.

“Later this week the force will be launching its summer safety campaign promoting advice to help people stay safe and act responsibly when they are out over the next few months.

“We understand people want to go out and enjoy the good weather and make the most of the recently relaxed restrictions, but we will take a zero tolerance approach to violence and aggression.”

In addition, following the announcement to the extension of Covid restrictions until July, officers are also keen to remind people of the importance of following the rules that remain in place. This includes indoor gatherings being restricted to six people or two households and outdoor gatherings being restricted to 30 people.

Talking about the extension to Covid restrictions, ACC Franklin-Smith added: “Like most people I was disappointed to hear the Prime Minister extending Covid restrictions for another four weeks; but it is important to remember these rules are in place to protect us all. Having come so far it is important we all continue to do our bit to protect ourselves and our families.

“Warwickshire Police will continue to play its part in reducing the spread of the virus by engaging with our communities, explaining the rules, and encouraging compliance. Where there are deliberate and obvious breaches of rules we will not hesitate to take action.”

 

Posted by SJC, Corporate Communications