Port of Bristol Police

The policing of Bristol’s docks commenced with the passing of the Bristol Dock Act 1803. The Act provided for the appointment of Constables who were given powers to ‘stop, search and detain’. The search powers were much the same as those used today under section 6 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

This Force, later known as Water Police, was the forerunner of the Bristol River Police who became a division of the Bristol City Constabulary.

The Avon river mouth Ports of Avon and Portishead were opened to shipping in 1877 and 1879 respectively. The owners of these two independent Ports established their own Dock Forces.

Avonmouth Officers dressed in the style of the Bristol City Constabulary and Portishead Officers that of the River Police naval style.

In 1884, the Bristol City Council acquired the Avonmouth and Portishead Docks and together with the City Docks, the Port of Bristol Authority was born. The Dock Police Forces of Avonmouth and Portishead amalgamated to become the Port of Bristol Police. The City Docks continued to be policed by the City Constabulary’s River Police until the 1970’s.

During the Second World War, the Avonmouth Docks became ‘H’ Division of the City Constabulary and consisted of Dock and City Officers.

In 1946, the Port of Bristol Police took full responsibility for policing the Avonmouth and Portishead Docks and in 1972 commenced duty at the new Royal Portbury Dock.

Portishead Docks closed to commercial shipping in 1990 and is no longer policed by the Port of Bristol Police.

Officers of the Port of Bristol Police are sworn under the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847. Jurisdiction is the Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks, estates and navigational limits (North Somerset Coast and River Avon from Avonmouth to Bristol City Docks) and a mile from any of those points.

The Force has a Chief Police Officer, three Sergeants and thirteen Constables, two being designated Leading Constable. In addition, the Force also employs ten Police Support Officers (PSO).

PSO’s undertake the majority of the security patrols and search requirements that came into being from the Port Security Regulations 2009. These regulations set out similar conditions for Seaports as introduced at Airports post the 9/11 bombings in the United States.

There is strong collaboration between the Port of Bristol Police and Avon and Somerset Constabulary. With the Police using their custody and criminal justice facilities, in addition to making full use of their CSI and forensic departments. In return the Port Police assists Avon and Somerset Constabulary if requested, whenever resources and jurisdiction allow.

The Port Police are the only law-enforcement officers permanently at the Port of Bristol dealing with immigration or customs offences, etc.… before liaising with the appropriate agencies when necessary.