Unauthorised Absence

Gloucester Detectives have been operating in Gloucester and the South West for almost 20 years.

• Gloucester is linked to the River Avon and Stourport-on-Severn by the navigable part of the River Severn, which is navigable by river craft of a few hundred tonnes' displacement.
• Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England.
• Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately 32 miles (51 km) north-east of Bristol, and 45 miles (72 km) south-southwest of Birmingham.
• Gloucester was founded in AD 48 by the Romans as Glevum, and was granted its first charter in 1155 by King Henry II.
• Economically, Gloucester is dominated by the service industries, and has a strong financial and business sector.
• Gloucester is the county town of Gloustershire, and is the 53rd largest settlement in the UK by population.
• In 2001 Gloucester had a population of 123,205.
• Gloucester it is located on the eastern bank of the River Severn, 114 miles (183 km) west north west of London.
• Gloucester is sheltered by the Cotswolds to the east, while the Forest of Dean and the Malvern Hills rise to the west and north, respectively.
• Gloucester is a port, linked via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal which runs from Gloucester's docks to the Severn Estuary.
• Gloucester passed briefly to Wessex from the Battle of Deorham in 577 until 584, when it came under the control of Mercia.
• Gloucester was the site of the execution by burning of John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester in the time of Queen Mary and martyred by her in 1555.
• In 1580 Gloucester was awarded the status of a port by Queen Elizabeth I.
• Gloucester's city centre contains many shops within its central pedestrianised area, and two dedicated shopping centres.
• Gloucester also has several out of town superstores located around its inner ring-road.
• Gloucester experiences an oceanic climate.
• In 2007/08, Gloucester had the 2nd highest crime rate for key offences among the 45 South West districts and unitaries.
• Public transport in the city is run by Stagecoach, operating from its depot on London Road.
• Gloucester is linked to the Severn Estuary by the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, which is navigable by small coasters.
• Gloucester's Docks mark the Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river.]
• Gloucester was formerly linked to Ledbury and Hereford by the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal.