Agenda item

An update from your Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team on ward issues and your chance to ask any questions.

Inspector Colin Moreton gave an update on Crime and Community Safety issues in the ward.  The following points were noted:

5.1          Uniformed policing is split into 24/7 response teams and geographically based Safer Neighbourhood Team’s (SNTs).  He is the Inspector for the SNTs in the south of York.

5.2          SNTs have been in place for around 2 years and work on long term problem solving. 

5.3          The SNTs consult with the public on what the police priorities for the ward should be.  The last consultation was done through ‘Your Ward’ and the outcome was that the priorities for the ward are Youth/anti-social behaviour, Damage/vandalism/graffiti and Burglary. 

5.4           Anti-social behaviour covers a range of things, including youths, dog fouling and flytipping.  A Capable Guardian Group has been set up in the ward to target different area’s of anti-social behaviour. 

5.5          The Cornlands Road area is currently a priority in terms of anti-social behaviour.  The SNT have been patrolling this area regularly both in uniform and plain clothes.  They are also working in partnership with Group Response community rangers.

5.6          Residents  have previously criticised about the delay in the SNT coming to see them when they report a problem on 0845 20 20 647.  The control room have a very difficult job with many conflicting priorities.  Trigger Plans have been implemented to highlight key problem hotspots in each ward; if the control room receive a call reporting a problem in one of the key areas it will be treated as an immediate priority.

5.7          The SNT shift patterns have changed as of this week.  The SNTs now have three rest days in a row rather than four and they will now be working until midnight rather than 10pm.  This means the team will be more visible more often. 

5.8          There has been a slight increase in damage and burglary in the ward compared to this time last year.  40% of burglaries are in insecure premises.  Operation Joypad is underway which involves the SNT testing the doors on 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.

5.9          The SNT are also actively promoting the ‘Immobilise’ system.  Immobilise is a free web based property registration site where residents can register every item of property which has a serial number.  If a stolen item of property is recovered and it is registered with Immobilise, any police officer in the country would be able to identify who it belonged to.  The SNT will register property for residents if they are given the details of the property and the serial numbers.  More information can be found on www.immobilise.com. 

5.10     The SNT are also trying to promote Neighbourhood Watch, there are some areas of the ward which are not covered.  If anyone is interested in being involved they should contact the SNT on 0845 60 60 247.

Residents asked the following questions:

a)  I phoned the SNT to report a problem with youths in the area and an armed response team from Selby was sent out.  Don’t you think this was a waste of resources?

Response was given that the area in question was on the Trigger Plan so immediate response was needed.  It is likely that the armed response team was the nearest at the time.

b)  Why isn’t more done about cyclists on pavements?

Response was given that the SNT do have action days to target this, however this is not an issue that the residents of the ward have deemed as a priority. 

c)  Can anything be done to stop people parking on the double yellow lines on Foxwood Lane?  Buses cannot get round because of all the parked cars.

Response was given that this is a council issue not a police one.  Traffic wardens have been patrolling the area.  It was agreed that the parking hotline number will be published in the next issue of Your Ward.

d)  The number 26 bus has problems turning into Windsor Garth because of the cars parked on the corner.  Can something be done about this?

Response was given that this is also a council issue.  The Highways team have plans to paint double yellow lines on the corner to prevent cars parking there.

e) Do you have any plans to set up any ‘No alcohol zones’?  The Chapelfields estate needs one.

Response was given that there are some in the ward already.  Residents are encouraged to make formal complaints so that a picture can be built up of the problem.

f)  As a community, how can we work together with the young people to prevent anti-social behaviour?

Response was given that the SNT work in partnership with the youth team for ward lead by Vicky Fuggles to find ways to engage with young people.  The SNT and the youth team have jointly organised away days and other activities to try and build relationships with the young people in the ward.  Cllr Steve Galloway agreed that an article from the youth team would be put in the next issue of ‘Your Ward’.

g)  Don’t you think there is a lack of supervised activities for young people in the ward?

Response was given that the ward committee funds various youth activities in the ward e.g. Street Sports and the Youth Outreach workers.  The Oakland’s complex will offer a lot of activities to attract young people.  David Ellis reported that York High School currently funds a ‘Global’ youth worker who takes young people out into the community and encourages them to get involved in community projects.  The school aims to work with the community so that the young people feel that they have something to offer and are giving something back.  The vast majority of young people are good citizens.