Emergency services host 50th anniversary open day

The open day is expected to be attended by more than 7,500 people

Emergency services covering Bristol and Somerset are hosting a free open day to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

The event will take place at the Police & Fire Headquarters in Portishead on Saturday between 10:30 BST and 16:00 BST.

Officers and firefighters from Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire & Rescue Service will be hosting demonstrations, talks, and interactive workshops using specialist equipment.

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Cummins says the event is an opportunity to showcase "the human side of policing".

Visitors will get the chance to see specialist equipment up close

Different teams will have their own stands and exhibitions, with staff on hand to answer questions about the diverse range of careers and opportunities within the emergency services.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “This will be a chance for people to get a sneak peek behind the scenes, observing how our police officers and staff work and asking any questions they have.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire & Rescue Service were both established in 1974

Police officers will demonstrate their tactics of entering properties, using tasers and firearms, responding to pursuits and investigating crimes.

Children will also be invited to "become a detective for the day" by helping to solve a mystery, while those interested in finding out how dispatchers respond to 999 and 101 calls can join a limited tour of the police control room.

Mr Cummins says the event is a "significant milestone" in the force's long history

"We recognise it's been a really difficult few weeks in some of our communities with the recent disorder, particularly in Bristol," Mr Cummins said.

"We want to show the human side of policing and provide an opportunity for people engage with us to build up trust and confidence in the police and fire service.

"It's really about us being transparent, showing the tactics that we use, meeting the community, and showcasing our capabilities."

Children will be invited to become "budding investigators" for the day

Avon Fire & Rescue Service will have some of their specialist equipment and vehicles on display, including a hovercraft, a lifeboat and a drone.

They will also be demonstrating their response to a road traffic collision, the deployment of the turntable ladder, and the work of their Urban Search and Rescue Team.