Issue - meetings

Start time 19:15

The Committee received a written report from the Maureen Tsentides, from the Safer Communities Team. Sgt Jim Stevenson gave a verbal outline regarding policing and safer neighbourhood work trends.

 

The report outlined actions taken since the last reporting period. The current emerging issues/neighbourhood trends for each ward were also highlighted (see report for full details). Previous priorities and engagement activity noted in the report were:

     i.        ASB on Guided Bus Way.

    ii.        Street begging – Hills Road.

   iii.        Mill Park – Open Space.

  iv.        Cherry Hinton Lakes – Trespass and dangerous behaviour in hot weather.

 

The Committee discussed the following policing issues:

    i.             The lakes adjacent to Cherry Hinton suffered from intrusion of members of the public who did not worry about litter or parking. Commented that Andersons were under a lot of pressure and asked the Police if they could speak with Peterhouse College to erect adequate fencing around the lakes adjacent to Cherry Hinton.

  ii.             Asked the Police whether they thought lighting on the guided busway would help to reduce crime.

 iii.             Asked for an update on the Police’s ICT issues.

iv.             Graffiti removal.

  v.             Robberies occurring on the guided busway.

vi.             The dispersal of street beggars in the city centre seemed to have moved street beggars to Cherry Hinton. Asked if there was a solution to break the begging cycle.

vii.             Resident witnessed attack on A1301 and guided busway.

 

Members of the public asked a number of questions, as set out below.

 

1.      A member of the public commented that he cycled the guided busway in the evening and that this had very low lighting. He also cycled from Addenbrooks to Trumpington Park and Ride. He had an exit strategy on Hills Road if he needed one and encountered any trouble but he had no exit strategy if he was on the guided busway.

 

The Police Representative commented that the guided busway was a big piece of Cambridge infrastructure, it was no less safe than any other major piece of travel infrastructure however appreciated that it could be improved.

 

2.      Commented that it was unsettling to see street begging outside the Tesco store in Cherry Hinton.

 

The Police Representative commented that this was a new issue to South Area because of the pro-active approach being taken in the city centre. The City Council had secured Injunctions against some individuals for street begging on Hills Road. Maureen Tsentides added that Injunctions could be varied; a Judge would only consider an Injunction Application to vary an Injunction Order if there was strong evidence in support of such an application. There would need to be evidence to establish whether the individuals begging outside Tesco’s were the same Individuals that were involved in the injunctions on Hills Road. The City Council would need to work with members of the public, businesses and the police to gain this evidence. The Council’s Legal Department would advise what further evidence would be required to pursue further action.

 

3.      There had been thefts in the Queen Edith’s ward in the last 6 -10 months. There was a new trend that criminals would steal car keys to be able to steal cars. He had taken this issue up with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

The Police Representative confirmed that due to improvements in technology, it was impossible to steal a car without the car key. Criminals would either try and clone car keys or steal the car key.  There was a Crime Prevention Officer who could provide advice on how to improve personal safety.

 

4.      A member of the public referred to the issue of trespassing at the lakes at Cherry Hinton and the impact on residents of St Bedes Crescent. He commented that people parked inconsiderately which meant that he was unable to get in and out of his driveway. A Housing Officer had advised him to build a barricade but the barricade he built had been taken and used as a bridge for people to access to the lakes at Cherry Hinton. He had telephoned the Police who had come round and moved some vehicles. He had emailed his local councillors but nothing seemed to happen.

 

The Police Representative commented that the long term solution would be to do something with the space. He appreciated that people parked anti-socially,  left litter and used resident’s wheelie bins to build bridges to access the lakes at Cherry Hinton. If a vehicle was parked to block a resident’s driveway then the police could assist to move the vehicle.  Unfortunately trespassing was a civil matter. The long term solution was not within police control. 

 

Action: Councillor McPherson to invite landowners around the lakes adjacent to Cherry Hinton to come to the next South Area Committee meeting so that members of the public can ask them questions. The Police confirmed that they will assist where they are able to do so.

 

The following priorities were unanimously agreed:

i.             ASB on Guided Bus Way and public areas in Trumpington village

ii.             Street begging – Cherry Hinton

iii.             Cherry Hinton high street – pavement cycling