Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from Sergeant Misik and Sergeant Wood regarding Policing and Safer neighbourhood trends.

 

The report outlined actions taken since the West Central Area Committee of the 07 January 2015 on the priorities that had been set. The current emerging issues/neighbourhood trends for each ward were also highlighted (see report for full details).

 

Comments from members of the public:

 

Bev Nicolson: Is there a way that the Police can help those people who are spoken to regarding anti-social drinking?

 

Sergeant Wood: Cambridgeshire Constabulary had well advanced working relationships with support partnership agencies.

 

John Lawton: With regards to Operation Safe Passage had any enforcement been undertaken with regards to those individuals breaking the 20mph speed limit in the City, particularly Newmarket Road (West) and Maids Causeway?

 

Also the speed watch surveys referenced on the Police website show figures from 2011.

 

Sergeant Wood: Very keen to develop Cambridge Speed Watch throughout the City and had canvassed residents to volunteer to carry out the scheme. Operation Safe Passage had allowed the Police to identify areas in the City where enforcement was required and had been undertaken. It was not possible for the Police to carry out speed checks on a daily basis as there were other areas of Policing that needed to be undertaken with a limited amount of resource.

 

Member of the public: There have been incidents of boats which are moored on the River at Midsummer Common having their ropes cut and those living on the boats assaulted.

 

Sergeant Wood: Two Officers had been appointed to deal with riverside issues and only today had spoken with outside agencies on this matter. Mobile CCTV can be deployed throughout the City but a business case would have to be put forward to deploy them to the area.

 

Comments from the Committee

 

Councillor Reiner: It was good to note that all outside agencies were working together to plan ahead for Caesarian Sunday.

 

Councillor Nethsingha: Noted that Violent Crime in Newnham had increased. What had been the reason for this?

 

Sergeant Misik: Four of the recorded offences related to a group of students who had a disagreement amongst themselves, a further two with members of the public and the rest domestic incidents.

 

Councillor Nethsinga: There were two known cases of domestic incidents in the report where children had been present could the Police confirm that the relevant safeguarding had been put into place?

 

Sergeant Misik: When the Police attend a domestic violence case, they would fill it in the national best practice domestic abuse incident book. The details of the children would be entered into the document and sent to multi agencies to highlight safe guarding controls were required.

 

Councillor Hipkin: Given that violent crime, criminal damage and other serious crime had increased how can the Police keep on top of the situation in the City Centre? National figures were going down but Cambridge seemed to be going against the trend.

 

Sergeant Wood: A new scheme had been put into place to tackle alcohol related crime in the City Centre with various multi agencies.

 

Sergeant Misik: The way that the Crime figures had been recorded had changed. Every incident was now recorded even if was just a casual conversation and no further action taken. This meant more accurate records therefore the figures would have increased.

 

Councillor Reid: When the way the data is being recorded had changed would it be possible to advise the Committee in the first instance which would help in understanding the figures?

 

Councillor Bick: It was important to note although the figures for alcohol related crime had increased, this was not reflected in the number of people admitted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital who had been subjected to violent related crimes, as this had been lower.

 

Councillor Cearns: There was concern about the amount of deliberate littering on New Square. The Resident Association had asked the Police to support the wardens in the past and would like to make the Police aware of this issue once again.

 

Sergeant Wood: The Police were aware and with the summer months approaching the problems was likely to increase. Regular patrols were in operation the matter would be addressed with individuals if required.

 

Councillor Hipkin: Could the reported figures show a further break down to the actual crime that had been committed, for example ‘current crime’ figures were a generic title.

 

Councillor Holland: Residents on Huntingdon Road had expressed concern regarding heavy good vehicles using Huntingdon road from 9.00pm to the early hours of the morning some of which are breaking the speed limit. This disturbs residents’ sleep and impacts on residents cycling to work on shift work. What is the most effective way to report this to ensure that enforcement will take place?

 

Councillor Tucker: Have been advised by the County Council that a weight restriction had been imposed on Huntingdon Road and would send the details to both Councillor Holland and Sergeant Misik.

 

Sergeant Misik: Unless a weight limit is imposed permanently no enforcement can take place. Not aware of any incidents on Huntingdon Road. Noise issues should be dealt with by the Environmental Health Department at the City Council.  

 

Committee Manager Note: Post Meeting - Councillor Tucker advised that the limit had been imposed until 30^th April and asked Sergeant Misik to confirm what had resulted from this.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved unanimously to set the following priorities:

 

     i.        To target alcohol related violent crime and ASB

    ii.        To target ASB caused by punt touts in Market Ward

   iii.        To continue Operation Safe Passage with a strong emphasis on 20mph enforcement and weight enforcement.