Agenda item
Police
An update from your Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team on ward issues and your chance to ask questions and raise concerns.
Minutes:
Sgt Sarah Bestington gave an update on Crime and Community Safety issues in the ward. The following points were noted:
3.1 The police priorities for the ward are anti-social behaviour and damage, burglary and speeding.
3.2 The Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) recently led an action week called ‘not in my neighbourhood’. The team were involved in a number of different activities to promote crime prevention including visiting burglary victims, shops and businesses, visiting vulnerable people to give out attack alarms, giving personal safety presentations at sheltered housing and schools and cycle tagging. High visibility patrols were in operation during this week. The team received a lot of positive feedback.
3.3 Operation Joypad is underway which involves the SNT testing the doors of residential property’s to see if they are locked. If the doors are unlocked, the SNT will alert the residents that that their property is insecure.
3.4 The SNT’s shift patterns are changing as of 9th February. The SNT will now have three rest days in a row rather than four and will be working until midnight rather than 10pm. This means the team will be more visible more often.
3.5 The SNT have spent three days targeting cycling on footpaths.
3.6 The team recently carried out an operation on Moor Lane stray to target speeding and 12 cars were stopped. ‘95 alive’ forms are available for residents to fill in to report speeding. Residents are encouraged to fill them in so that the SNT can build up a picture of problem areas.
3.7 There was a lot of auto-crimes in the ward over one weekend. The team have been involved in initiatives to target this and so far 2 people have been arrested.
Residents asked the following questions:
a) Do the police take away the passports of offenders on bail?
Response was given that this is not a police issue, decisions like this are made by the court. There are certain instances where passports are taken off offenders on bail such as in cases of potential child abuse.
b) Can anything be done about delivery drivers who park on double yellow lines?
Response was given that this is the responsibility of traffic wardens, not the police. There are some streets where they are allowed to stop for a short amount of time to unload as not all streets have parking bays.
c) Do you take any action against people who park on footpaths?
Response was given that this is not illegal to park on a footpath as long as there is enough room for a double buggy/wheelchair to get past and it is not causing an obstruction to property. Residents should get in touch with the SNT if there are any obstructions as they are able to issue a ticket to the owner of the vehicle.
d) Ashfield Court off Old Moor Lane has been the target of a lot of vandalism recently. I have been told that I cannot report it because it has not happened to me directly but when the resident in question phoned the police they did not get a response. This is very unsatisfactory.
Response was given that the SNT are aware of the problems in this area and they are being targeted. The control room have a very difficult job with many conflicting priorities and the SNT can only apologise for this oversight.
e) Can we contact the Group Response community rangers directly?
Response was given that yes residents can contact them directly on 01757 213270.
f) I am a cyclist and hear a lot of complaints about cyclists on footpaths but is there anyone to protect the cyclist from people who are talking on their mobile phone whilst driving? This is a common problem in this ward.
Response was given that the SNT issue tickets to people talking on their mobile whilst driving however they have to witness it themselves, they cannot act on the word of residents.
g) I have nearly been run down a couple of times on the pelican crossing on St Helen’s Road at the junction with Tadcaster Road even when it has been on a green man.
Response was given that this may be a problem with the traffic light sequences and will be passed onto traffic management.
h) There is no lighting on the cycle track on the Knavesmire. I have repeatedly asked for a fluorescent line to be painted on the track but nothing ever happens. Please give some help to the cyclist.
Response was given that the ward team will look into this.
3.6 Cllr Tom Holvey thanked the police for coming to the meeting.