Issue - meetings

8.45 to 9.30

The Committee received a report from Sergeant Wragg regarding Policing and Safer Neighbourhood Trends.

 

The report outlined actions taken since the North Area Committee of the 28 August 2014. The current emerging issues/neighbourhood trends for each ward were also highlighted (see report for full details).

 

Members of the public made the following comments:

 

Member of the public: Could the Police provide a date when those individuals convicted of burglaries referenced would be released?

Could not give a definite answer but had been sentenced to 2.5 years however there could be an opportunity to be released early for various reasons.

 

Mike Sargeant: Cycling on the pavements is a problem in Cambridge. There is a real problem in the area of Milton Road to Mitcham’s Corner where the cycle lane and bus lanes are often blocked with parked vehicles. Building work behind the Portland Arms is also causing the problem. How do the Police address these issues and how closely do you work with the County Council to address these issues?

 

Sergeant Wragg: If a problem is spotted we will deal with it. There can be times when the Police and Traffic Wardends work together but it is more effectively to work independently. Traffic Wardens are very proactive in the North Area. We are aware of the problems in the area mentioned which is in a busy part of town and have highlighted them on occasions. We also focused on this area when addressing road safety referenced in the report.

 

Richard Taylor: When an offender is released are the Police informed and advised which area they are released into?

 

Sergeant Wragg: We are made aware. The Defender Management Unit will make a visit in the first instance and there is a facility to offer support if required.

 

Richard Taylor: Each Area Committee requests a better / further break down of reporting figures. A different set of figures are produced for the Cambridge Community Safety Partnership, could these figures could be provided in the Area Committee forums?

Councillor Manning: The County Council has successfully bid for £112,000 of funding to support Open Data, working in collaboration with other agencies/Councils. It could be an opportunity to try to combine the Police data which could be accessed in one place.

 

Member of the public: Would like to endorse the comments made by Mike Sargeant regarding Mitcham’s Corner. Signage can be difficult to understand for cyclists around Mitcham’s Corner and beyond. Would it be possible to enforce cyclists not to cycle on the pavements once a night?

Sergeant Wragg: The Police are in the area every day; as well as PCSO’s who can and do stop the cyclists on pavements to address the issue.

 

The Chair advised that he had been working with PCSO’s to address the school warning road markings and signage on Arbury Road outside the School. Members of the public could bring their concerns regarding signage to their Ward Councillors who would liaise with Highway Officers and Police to take the matter further

 

Questions from the Committee.

 

Councillor Price: Could an update be provided on reported drug related activity at the skate park on Nuns Way Recreation Ground?

Sergeant Wragg: In the late summer a group of youths were selling cannabis, two of whom were currently on bail for theft. As the nights had become darker earlier the situation had improved. However this area would be closely monitored in spring / summer 2015. 

 

Councillor Sarris: What is the strategy for those areas (Green End Road, Fern Road and Northfields Avenue) identified as a problem for speeding?

Sergeant Wragg: There had been a greater Police presence in these areas and had been bidding for extra resources on a weekly basis while tasking officers to attend this area on late shift. The problem would appear to be anti-social rather than speeding which is still a road safety issue. Issue Section 59 Notices could be issued if required.

 

Are the Police able to address the issue of the laughing gas canisters being discarded outside Grumpy’s Pet Store in East Chesterton?

Sergeant Wragg: Will continue to be a Police presence but no problems have been identified in the last week.

 

Councillor Austin: Residents in West Chesterton have expressed concern regarding three to four speeding vehicles late at night in particular areas.

Sergeant Wragg: Would be happy to take the details and look into the matter further.

 

Councillor Pitt: Noted that cycle theft had increased across the North Area particularly in West Chesterton and requested that this is continued as a priority and not diluted down in anyway.

 

Councillor Smart: Would the Police consider anti-social behaviour in the hallways of the flats as a priority over the next quarter?

Sergeant Wragg: Would recommend this issue is not set as a priority. If there is a problem reported the Police would respond.

 

Do the Police patrol the problem areas identified for speeding late at night?

Generally these areas are patrolled during school drop off and pick up times when the impact on public safety is greater.

 

Councillor Manning: Are the Police able to sell the items that are recovered?

Sergeant Wragg: Under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) the Police can hold auctions to sell the items.

 

Councillor Scutt: Could we see Police support for getting the road markings and signage back on Carlton Way and Milton Road as cycle markings are not clear.

 

Councillor Manning proposed that continual work on 20mph speed limit enforcement was included in a priority.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved unanimously to prioritise the following:

 

     i.        Continue with work against drug dealers

    ii.        Continue to address cycle theft

   iii.        Address 20mph speed limit.