Bobby Vans

Puriton Parish Council > About the Village > Policing > Bobby Vans

Bobby Vans

This facility is available to the elderly and vulnerable in our community, but we hope that you will never need it because, if you do, it means you have been a victim of crime at home.

However, in the unlikely event that this has happened to you, the police officers who attend will be able to advise you on any crime prevention measures that you might take and, where appropriate, recommend the assistance of the "Bobby Van".

The Bobby Van Scheme was set up by the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust in 2001 to provide extra security for those people within the community who are vulnerable or who have been victims of a burglary, domestic violence or hate crime.

The Scheme has proved to be a very valuable resource and is operated by a qualified carpenter who delivers this service from a fully equipped, liveried van which serves as a self contained mobile workshop. The carpenter is dressed in a smart uniform resembling that of a police officer (black canvas trousers, NATO pullover, white shirt, Bobby Van epaulettes, black anorak, black safety shoes) and carries a support staff identification card.

All work is carried out by appointment during office hours on weekdays only (it should be noted that the scheme is not able to provide an emergency call out service).

Main upgrading work that is undertaken is as follows:

* Check door locks and upgrade where necessary
* Fit door chains/door restrictors if possible where not already present
* Fit door viewer
* Install window locks where necessary
* Supply and fit battery alarms to doors and vulnerable areas where necessary
* Construct safe rooms if required, specifically for victims of domestic abuse cases
* Supply personal attack alarms

People who fit the criteria for help from the Bobby van are:

* People over the age of 65
* Victims of hate crime
* Victims of burglary
* Victims of domestic abuse
* Any vulnerable member of the community at risk of becoming a victim of crime

All of the above people qualify for a visit. A security survey is carried out to assess what upgrading work is necessary to make the shell of the house secure. Security devices are supplied and fitted free of charge after consultation with the victim to ensure they are happy with improvement suggestions.

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Bobby Vans