Nick Evans -Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire

04/09/2026

Applications to become Gloucestershire's new Chief Constable are now open.

And we’re asking you to suggest questions to put to the candidates.

You can view the job advert here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/police-forces/gloucestershire-constabulary/areas/gloucestershire/ca/careers/chief-constable-of-gloucestershire-constabulary/

We are asking the people of Gloucestershire to let us know what they want from their Chief Constable and to submit questions to those seeking to take up the role.

The responsibility of hiring a new Chief Constable sits with the Police and Crime Commissioner and their Office.

A formal interview panel will be held and chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner. This will include national and local stakeholders, as well as an independent member. A provisional date for this to take place is the 13th October 2026.

We are asking the public to get involved in this important recruitment process by suggesting questions to put to the candidates, sharing the most important policing issues affecting your community, suggesting what their top three priorities should be, and more.

You can share your suggested questions and ideas by filling out our short form here: https://tinyurl.com/dsynv5wr

Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, Ruth Greenwood said: “I want to ensure that the public’s voice is central to this important process.

“We would really like to hear from you.

“You know Gloucestershire better than anyone. And the Chief of your Constabulary is a very significant role in the county, so we want to make sure your voice is represented in the recruitment process.

“That’s why the interview panel will also include local stakeholders and a completely independent member.”

“So please do take a few short minutes to share your questions and ideas via our form.”

03/09/2026

Youth Cafe returns to Cheltenham!

No Child Left Behind is bringing the Youth Cafe back to Smokey Joe's every Thursday from 3:30pm to 6pm, starting tomorrow (3 September).

Following a successful pilot earlier this year and a series of well-attended sessions, the Youth Cafe will once again provide a safe and welcoming space for young people to spend time with friends, try new activities and access support.

Young people can drop in and out throughout the sessions, enjoy Smokey Joe's vintage arcade games free of charge and take part in activities delivered by local organisations. Every young person who attends will also receive a free food and drink voucher.

Sessions will be supported by Springbank Community Group CiC and The Rock Cheltenham, with activities from organisations including The Music Works and Escape Rooms Cheltenham.

Find out more in the comments below ⬇

13/08/2026

Over the last few days, I've volunteered to help (in a small way) Local authorities and emergency services deal with wildfires in their areas. As always, I'm incredibly grateful and humbled by the efforts they are taking to keep people, property, the environment and animals safe from these major incidents. It's also incredibly disruptive and destructive for local people and businesses.

As the latest heatwave peaks today, do please follow the advice of the Government and Fire Services to help prevent more areas being affected by wildfire.

🔥Do not light fires in the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.

🔥Only use barbecues in designated areas where they are permitted.

❄ Never leave a hot barbecue unattended. Ensure your barbecue is fully put out and make sure ashes are cold before disposing of it.

🚭Ensure smoking materials are fully stubbed out and disposed of carefully. Never throw cigarette ends from vehicles.

🚮Take all rubbish home with you, especially glass bottles, which can focus the sun’s rays and start a fire.

🚧Follow local guidance and signage, particularly during periods of heightened wildfire risk when access restrictions may be in place.

07/08/2026

This is the reality behind the drugs that usually well off people take. The users will justify that their ‘habit’ doesn’t affect anyone. They couldn’t be more wrong.
Their selfishness feeds this trade in human misery.

'Benny', who was smuggled from Albania, told Sky he felt he had to sell drugs to pay back the person who smuggled him to the UK.

16/07/2026

It was great to be able to showcase the fabulous work that is happening here in Gloucestershire to deal with and prevent Domestic abuse to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales yesterday.

Chris Nelson and I are very proud of the proactive work that all partners in Gloucestershire are doing. Not just Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Constabulary and Gloucestershire County Council but working more broadly with our housing providers, drug and alcohol treatment services, District Councils and our fabulous providers like The Nelson Trust and GDASS

I think poor Nicole was a little briefed-out by the end of it (sorry!), but we had so much to share! Very grateful to her for spending so much of her time with the team and I yesterday and hope she found it useful.

06/07/2026

These people's impatience led to delays in care being provided to those injured in this accident. This is why the Hard Shoulder must be kept clear.

I've written to our Roads Policing Unit today to thank them for taking such a robust response to this irresponsible behaviour.

While our officers were attending a collision on the M5 and ensuring the safety of everyone involved, several drivers chose to dangerously bypass the queue by driving along the hard shoulder.

This reckless behaviour not only endangered lives but also obstructed emergency services who were working at the scene.

There had been a single vehicle collision at junction 12 of the M5 yesterday morning (Sunday 5 July) in which a motorhome sustained a tyre blow out and overturned resulting in the occupants needing medical treatment.

The motorway was brought to a complete stop on the initial attendance of police to secure the scene and clear debris from the main carriageway.

Whilst this was happening, numerous motorists decided to take it on themselves and drive along the hard shoulder for a variety of reasons - some stated that they thought the hard shoulder had been opened as a lane, some said they were just following people ahead, and others stated they wanted to leave at the next junction and decided to queue on the hard shoulder.

Unfortunately due to the irresponsible actions of all the vehicles that decided to drive onto the hard shoulder, this meant that Ambulances and Highways vehicles were delayed from getting to the scene of the collision.

The hard shoulder is reserved for emergency use only - such as breakdowns or access for emergency vehicles. When drivers misuse it, especially during an active incident, they risk colliding with stationary vehicles, emergency responders, or even pedestrians who may be on foot near the scene.

It also delays the response time of emergency services and increases the risk of secondary collisions.

20 motorists will now be prosecuted for driving on the hard shoulder and one additional motorist will also be prosecuted after they were seen to be filming the collision on their phone whilst driving past.

Acting Sergeant Mike Turnbull from the Roads Policing Unit said: "Using the hard shoulder to avoid traffic is not only selfish - it’s illegal and drivers using the hard shoulder inappropriately will be prosecuted.

"The Highway Code clearly states the hard shoulder must not be used for overtaking or avoiding congestion. Offenders can face fines, penalty points, and prosecution for the offence of driving or stopping on the hard shoulder."

06/07/2026

I'm so proud of this programme, and it's already having some great results. More to follow soon!!!

We continued our big round of 'thank yous' to the partners involved in the pioneering 'My Future' project.

This afternoon, we visited SkillZONE Life Skills Safety Centre. Several of their fantastic staff provided inputs to the young boys on the cohort. And the team kindly allowed us to use SkillZone as a central hub of activity throughout the four weeks.

We're evaluating the project currently and will share more about 'My Future' soon!

26/06/2026

A pleasure as always to visit the fantastic team at Severn Area Rescue Association - Beachley and see the ‘christening’ of Emily, the new Lifeboat launch tractor.

It was also good to see the new engines for SARA 1 ‘Jim Hewitt’ that have been paid for thanks to a donation from the Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum.

It costs c.£250,000 a year to keep this vital service running, so these donations, alongside the time, effort and skill of the completely volunteer service are essential to keep people safe on land and water.

27/04/2026

What a fantastic write up, and for a great cause. Well done to all those who took part

22/04/2026

Matt's dedication is so moving, and the way he has honoured Katy through these challenges is humbling and a testament to them both.

Good luck in Sunday's Marathon Matt!

Her husband said it was 'dramatically unfair'