Agenda item
Police
An update from your Neighbourhood Policing Team on ward issues and your chance to ask any questions.
Minutes:
PC Jon Bostwick gave an update from the Neighbourhood Policing Team:
§ He is a new PC in the area
§ There will also be a new Sergeant (Sgt. Prendergast) and 2 new PCSO’s joining the team later in the month.
§ The number of burglaries from dwellings went down from 27 in August 2008 to 15 in September 2008 (a reduction of 12).
§ The number of other burglaries went down from 18 in August 2008 to 8 in September 2008 (a reduction of 10).
§ The number of incidents of criminal damage (including graffiti) went down from 35 in August to 29 in September (a reduction of 6).
§ The number of incidents of violence increased from 12 in August to 15 in September (an increase of 3).
§ The number of car crime incidents increased from 9 in August to 13 in September (an increase of 4).
§ The number of thefts from shops decreased from 38 in august to 28 in September (a reduction of 10).
§ The number of drug related crimes (from spot checks and raids) increased from 2 in August to 3 in September (an increase of 1).
§ The number of reports of ASB decreased from 87 in August to 75 in September (a reduction of 12).
§ The team is currently targeting burglary by making their presence known within the ward, particularly to those suspected of the crimes.
§ In the last month, 4 acceptable behaviour contracts have been issued to youths in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour.
§ Encouraged residents to go to www.immobilise.com and register the serial numbers of their personal items.
Issues raised by residents were:
§ What can we do to protect our property if we have no internet access?
o Postcode your property with a UV pen – put your postcode, followed by your house number.
§ How are the police going to monitor the ward. By vehicle, on foot or cycling?
o Personally hope to cycle around the ward.
§ Are the figures a seasonal trend, particularly surrounding burglary?
o No, the darker nights usually mean increased crime, not a reduction (although the figures for anti-social behaviour may have gone down for this reason because this often decreases when it gets darker earlier in the evenings).
o Recent arrests may have led to the decrease in burglary.
o Remember to keep all of your doors and windows locked.
§ Do the police have partnerships with local organisations?
o Yes, they work with estate managers, the council, and Housing Associations. They liaise with each other and reports are made to them regularly.
§ Is neighbourhood watch being set up in Leeman Road?
o Adam Wood is working on this and it is to be discussed at future meetings in that area.
§ Do the police use any undercover policemen in order to arrest criminals?
o The police are uniformed to act as a deterrent. They rely on neighbours reporting incidents to inform them of where they may need to send plain-clothed police.
§ Crimes are happening in broad daylight. What can be done?
o Suspicious characters should be reported so PC’s can come to the area and stop and search them.
§ Why clean of graffiti when it is just done again?
o People have been caught and the problem is being tackled in a number of ways.
John Bostwick gave his personal contact cards to some residents.