Agenda item

Sgt Donna Musgrove gave an update on Crime and Community Safety issues in the ward.  The following points were noted:

4.1 The Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have made a lot of progress.  Crime in the ward has always been low but has fallen even further this year.    However, there will always be the odd case.

4.2  Lead theft continues to be a problem across all areas of the city and this ward is no exception.  Residents should report any suspicious behaviour.

4.3   The priorities for the team are identified by people that live in the ward.  Residents are encouraged to complete the ‘police priorities’ section on the 2009-10 scheme ballot paper.

4.4 The SNT are aware that speeding continues to be a concern for residents.  The team do stop people who are speeding however it is not possible to prosecute without a reading from a speed gun and these are only used by the traffic unit.  Matrix equipment previously deployed by the Fire Service in other areas has shown that the majority of the time the problem is a perception of speeding rather than actual speeding.

Residents asked the following questions:

a)  Don’t speed cameras give an indication of the problem in the area?

Response was given that there are no speed cameras in operation in North Yorkshire.

b)  Is there a chance of getting one in this ward?

Response was given that there would need to be evidence that there is a speeding problem in the ward.

c)  Could the traffic unit be deployed to the ward?

Response was given that the traffic unit will prioritise the worst known areas for speeding.  Sgt Musgrove encouraged residents to put their concerns in writing to the SNT so that a statistical picture of the problem can be built up and evidence passed to the traffic unit.

d) Are the police able to do anything about drivers using side streets as rat runs?

Response was given that people are free to travel on any road.  The police would only become involved if it became a danger.

e)  What action can police take against people who park half on/half off the pavement.

Response was given that no action would be taken as long as they have left enough room for a double buggy/wheelchair.  If the vehicle is causing an obstruction to the footpath or highway the police will issue a ticket. 

Residents made the following comments:

a)  Thank you for your presence at Wigginton School, it is making a real impact.  It gives the children an understanding of what the police do.

Sgt Musgrove responded that this is another way of the police being accessible to the community.  Residents are encouraged to speak to the police about any issues they have before they become a major problem.

b)  Young People have started gathering at Little Meadows again and it is feared that one resident will soon take the problem into their own hands.

PC Dobson responded that the police are aware of this problem and are working on resolving it.