Issue - meetings

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

 

The report outlined actions taken since the West Central Area Committee of the 30 September 2015 on the priorities that had been set. The current emerging issues/neighbourhood trends for each ward were also highlighted. A copy of the report can be viewed at the following link: http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=2894&Ver=4

 

Comments from members of the public:

 

       i.        Asked if the breakdown of the type/ level of injury from violent crime in the City Centre could be detailed in future reports and suggested that this should be made a priority.

      ii.        Stated that there was no traffic speed measurements found on the police website and asked if this information could be supplied as it used to be available.

     iii.        Past experience as a Speed Watch volunteer was that there had been no follow up from the Police on those motorists who had been speeding.

         

Comments from the Committee:

 

     i.        Surprised to read in the report that 58% of the licensed premises which were visited were not compliant with their licensing conditions and asked when these visits had been undertaken and what actions had been carried out.

    ii.        Enquired if it was correct that Speed Watch volunteers worked during day light hours only. The majority of speeding, particularly on Huntingdon Road took place after dark when there was less traffic on the roads.

   iii.        Asked if the Police could provide information to cyclists (particularly young people) as to where they were permitted to cycle and areas which was restricted in and around the City.

  iv.        Enquired if there was a strategy for cycle theft in the City. Students had been told that this was an organised crime and therefore should be made a priority.

   v.        Enquired if additional information could be supplied on Hate Crimes in the City at future meetings.

  vi.        Suggested an amendment to the City Council’s budget to promote the Speed Watch scheme.

 vii.        Noted there seemed to be a lack of enforcement for ‘dodgy driving’ offences, such as ignoring signage, taking short cuts, such as when the raising bollards were not working, for example those on Adam and Eve Street.

viii.        Congratulated the Police on ‘Operation Manzano’ which had been referenced in the report.

  ix.        Encouraged to hear the Police highlighting Hate Crime.

 

The Safer Communities Manager and Sergeant Misik made the following statements:

 

     i.        Statistics to show the breakdown between violent crime with injury and without injuries were supplied by Addenbrookes hospital and the ambulance service.

    ii.        These figures were published quarterly on the City Council website which could be included in the West Central Area Committee Police priority report. It would not be possible to break these figures down to ward level.

   iii.        Could not confirm if Addenbrookes would supply data to show actual injuries.

  iv.        Advised that serious injuries were decreasing and those without injuries (low level assaults) were on the increase.

   v.        Could not provide specific detail of the licenced premises infringement as was not part of the team. Further work would be undertaken with Cambridge City Council’s Licensing department.

  vi.        Speed Watch sent information to the Police who would then send a letter to individual drivers to warn them of their driving. PSCO’s could also request Police speed checks if they had witnessed a number of vehicles speeding on a particular road. 

 vii.        Universities needed to educate their students regarding cycling around the City.

viii.        Each year representatives from the Police and Cambridge City Council’s Safer Communities team spoke to new students about road safety, cycling in the City and how to prevent their cycles from being stolen.

  ix.        Had not witnessed organised crime with regards to bike theft, this was usually carried out by individuals. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to set the following priorities:

 

1a          Continue with Licensed Premises Enforcement Visits. 

1b          Violent Crime in the City Centre.

2            Traffic Junction Enforcement (all road users).

3            Cycle theft.