Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from Sergeant Mišík regarding policing and safer neighbourhoods 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.        Drug dealing, associated begging and anti-social behaviour.

    ii.        Dangerous driving by coaches on Queen’s Road at key times on Saturdays

 

Sarah Steggles, Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, gave an update on initiatives to address rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour. Her team had a range of options open to them. Working with other agencies, individuals would be offered support to move them of the streets but some were reluctant to engage in this process. Where problematic behaviour impacted on other people further action, including Police action, could be considered.

 

The following questions were asked:

 

1.   MOP

Fitzroy Street and Grafton Centre area is suffering due to anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.

 

The Police need as much evidence, that can be gathered safely, to investigate. Car registrations, descriptions (including descriptions of dogs) were all helpful to build up a picture of activities.

 

2.   MOP

When reporting an incident of threatening behaviour via 999 callers were told to use the 101 number.

 

If the situation was no longer ongoing (the perpetrator had moved on) then 999 operatives would make a judgement call about referring callers to the 101 number. However, Sergeant Mišík undertook to feed back the MOP dissatisfaction with the response.

 

3.   MOP

Residents in Grafton Area had reported a number of incidents via the 101 number. However, when they use an FOI to view recorded incidents, many of their reports were missing.

 

The local team were well aware of the issues in the area. Complex issues such as these would be investigated and cross team action would follow. 

 

4.   MOP

Similar problems were reported last year. A single point of contact would be helpful.

 

Sarah Steggles suggested that incidents could also be reported to the City Council ASB team.

 

5.   MOP

Reported incidents of drug dealing were not taken seriously and no action followed?

 

Sergeant Mišík stated that his team reviewed reports relating to their own areas and were aware of on-going issues. The FOI might not have produced the full results due to IT issues and complication of the search methods. There were complex issues in the area that are being addressed in a cross team approach.

 

6.   Councillor Bick

Residents were concerned that ASB is linked to the wider criminal offences that were taking place in the area. If the criminal behaviour was addressed the ASB would also be resolved. People lack faith in the reporting systems. Can an audit of reported incidents over a set period be carried out?

 

Sergeant Mišík stated that a similar approach had been used elsewhere. He undertook to meet local residents outside the meeting to discuss this further.

 

7.   Councillor Nethsingha

Suggested that the Council could do more to discourage people giving to beggars and to promote more appropriate routes for donations.

 

Sarah Steggles outlined the Street Aid gifting process. She suggested that members of the public did not welcome authorities, such as councils, telling them not to give directly to people who appeared to be homeless.

 

Councillor Nethsingha suggested that the Police and Crime Commissioner could be invited to West Central to discuss the issues around drugs and rough sleeping.

 

8.   Councillor Scutt

Are there any details available on the use of young people (under 16’s) as couriers by drug dealers? North Area Committee had agreed a priority to protect young people who had been excluded from school being abused.

 

Information around this matter was unclear. People move around and accurate figures were not available.

 

9.   Councillor Scutt

A long term solution was needed regarding coach parking on Queen’s Road.

 

Members noted that they were no longer asked to vote on priorities and the following areas of concern were discussed.

 

     i.        Drug related behaviour in the Grafton Centre area as already discussed.

    ii.        Poor behaviour of cyclists and moped riders in the City Centre. This included speeding, lack of lights and cycling on pavements.

    iii.            Night time road safety at the following junctions: Histon Road/Victoria Road and Chesterton Road/ Magdalen Street.