Police worked with The Mall at Cribbs Causeway to make sure an open-air concert for more than 6,000 people was a success.
The Olly Murs concert to mark the Christmas lights being switched on at the South Gloucestershire shopping complex was the first ever hosted at the venue.
A police operation was put into place to ensure the safety of the thousands of mainly young fans who came to the event, and minimise disruption for local people and businesses.
Chief Inspector Peter Warren, in charge of policing at the event, said:
“This was a great opportunity for officers to engage with young people, and obviously any event with that number of people attending requires the support of emergency services. The Mall and the promoters worked together with the police and the event was carefully planned with appropriate private security in place.”
“A few people in the audience needed attention from the medics on standby after feeling faint, but we did not experience any crime, disorder or traffic problems.”
“The event was also the first public duty for a group of the Avon and Somerset Volunteer Police Cadets, who used the opportunity to hand out street safety leaflets to shoppers and concert-goers.”
The uniformed cadets are teenagers from across South Gloucestershire who have volunteered to help their local communities while learning more about the role of police.
Nine of them joined the police operation at The Mall, visiting the centre’s police post, helping officers to engage with young people and handing out safety advice.
The cadets are currently being trained to accompany Neighbourhood officers on community patrols, as well as to help police deliver crime prevention advice and engage with young people at events.
Police officers and PCSOs are giving up their free time to train them and they are supported by John Lewis, South Gloucestershire Council and Filton College.
Source: Avon and Somerset Police
