Hundreds of bleed kits placed across the West Country
The kits are designed for anyone to use – even those without medical training
28 lifesaving bleed control kits have been placed in and around Bath by the local police force.
The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between Avon and Somerset Police, HeartSafe UK, Bath and North East Somerset Council, the Violence Reduction Partnership, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Bath BID.
It comes as stats show, on average, it only takes about 4 minutes to lose a critical amount of blood after a serious injury.
But these kits are designed for anyone to use – even those without medical training and could make all the difference in those moments before emergency services arrive.
Officers have been working with the council to place them in key locations such as parks, sports clubs, and busy roads.
The Avon and Somerset Bleed Kit Partnership has already placed over 400 bleed kits across the region.
"Save lives"
Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody highlighted the importance of this project: “I’m so pleased to see Bath come together to fund these vital provisions for their communities.
"In doing so, we’re not only raising awareness but giving people access to equipment that could save lives."
This week also marks the national policing week of action to tackle knife crime, which sees all 43 police forces across England and Wales work to raise awareness, educate and engage with communities around the topic of serious violence and knife crime.
Officers from the local Bath Neighbourhood Policing Team will be out and about in communities this week carrying out specific high-visibility patrols, conducting knife sweeps in local parks and open spaces, and engaging with local schools, communities and retailers on safety and the legal sale of knives.