Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Police 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 local issues and engagement activity noted in the report were:

      i.         ASB and dangerous driving on Fen Road;

    ii.         Street based drug dealing; and

   iii.         Youth and knife crime.

 

Members of the Public (MOP) and Councillors asked a number of questions as set out below.

      i.         MOP raised issues occurring at Carson Close off Green End Road on behalf of another resident, she would ask the resident to get in touch with PC Emms.

 

    ii.         Councillor Sheil asked about Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) contracts and whether there was any feedback from family members regarding their effectiveness.

 

ASB contracts were dealt with by the ASB Team at the City Council. They monitoured compliance. The police did scan calls for help in the area to see whether there were any trends regarding individuals with ASB contracts. If any issues arose these would be taken into account for any escalation of work.

 

   iii.         Councillor Price commented that he was pleased with the work which had been undertaken at Hampton Court and there had not been any repeat issues arising. He commented that it was helpful if residents were able to provide the Police with names of individuals when reporting issues.

 

  iv.         Councillor Collis asked whether Nuns Way Rec and the pulley in Arragon Close were going to continue to be monitored.

 

The Police confirmed that they were continuing to monitour the area.  It would depend where they received calls to where officer resource would be put.

 

    v.         Councillor Bird commented that she was disappointed that police data was no longer included within reports and that not everyone had access to a computer to be able to find this information online.  She also noted that more needles had been found in Bramblefields and asked whether the police could keep an eye on this area.

 

The police noted the comments made regarding the content of the report and would feed this back to Senior Managers.

 

Councillor Dalzell noted that there was some data regarding needles in the Environmental and Waste report. 

 

  vi.         Councillor Dalzell noted that Operation Carmel sought to deter drug dealing taking place in vulnerable people’s houses (also known as cuckooing) and that this also had the consequence of pushing drug dealing on to the streets. He asked whether ‘cuckooing’ was still occurring.

 

The Police noted that there had been an increase in street-based drug dealing because of the cuckooing police operation. He did not think that drug practices had reverted back to cuckooing because of the good cuckooing tactics the police were employing.  The Police had obtained two closure orders in the North Area on 27 February 2020.

 

 vii.         Councillor Todd-Jones noted that there had been some high profile arrests in Arbury as a result of Operation Carmel.  He queried whether the operation would be continued.

 

The Police confirmed that operation Carmel was not limited to the North Area and that the operation would continue.  

 

viii.         A MOP noted on page 50-51 of the agenda that the Police had commented that time had been spent on Fen Road but that it was difficult to justify police presence.  Commented that unless something was done about the level crossing then concerns would remain.  Requested that the Police randomly visit Fen Road to reinforce all the good work which had been carried out. They queried if a ‘your speed is’ sign could be installed on Fen Road.

 

The Committee discussed how effective a ‘your speed is’ sign might be.

 

Action: Cllr Bird said she would investigate getting a ‘your speed is’ sign.

 

  ix.         A MOP raised concerns regarding noisy motorbikes.

 

The Police confirmed that if registration details were provided then the police could speak with the owners and investigate.

 

The Committee were asked to nominate their local issues for focus over the coming months.

The following local issues were agreed (unanimously):

 

1. ASB and dangerous driving on Fen Road

2. Street based drug dealing

3. Youth and knife crime