PC wins award for going above and beyond his job
A Bath bobby has been given an award after being nominated by a resident for tackling anti-social behaviour on his beat. PC Martyn Bridges covers the Bath City South beat and was nominated for an Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner’s Pride award by Helen Peters of Widcombe. The nomination described the neighbourhood officer as “superb at his job” and “never stinting of his own time and energy” after he resolved an issue with anti-social behaviour (ASB). The community had suffered with noise nuisance, rubbish being thrown into the street and fires being started. Helen said PC Bridges had made efforts to speak to everyone and help and support those involved, taking a number of statements and even spending an hour going through “revolting” rubbish to identify the perpetrator. She said: “Martyn is friendly and approachable – everything you’d want a bobby to be. He built really good relationships with the community, explained what was happening and engaged with us.” Martyn said: “I’m very honoured the community think I’ve done a good job for them. It was a team effort involving all of the beat team, supported by the police anti-social behaviour team and with the cooperation of the community. “After identifying a perpetrator we used anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle the problem. “As the individual responsible was vulnerable, we also worked with other agencies including Bath and North East Somerset Council and Avon Fire and Rescue to ensure they had the right support. “The issues affected the wider community as well as residents, and we’re glad to have been able to resolve the problems.” PC Bridges received his award from commissioner Sue Mountstevens at an event at the police’s Portishead HQ on Tuesday, August 14. At the presentation Ms Mountstevens described the nominees as “silent stars”. She said: “These are the people who we rely on to support our communities to make them stronger; they do this without a second thought and mostly without recognition or thanks. “This is why I think it is so important to send a message to all those working hard to make a difference, we are truly thankful.”