Issue - meetings

Detective Sergeant Mazur presented a report which outlined policing and safer neighbourhood trends and outlined actions taken since the last reporting period. 

In response to questions and comments from the Committee, Detective Sergeant Mazur said the following:

      i.         Noted the request to bring information on the multi agency meetings regarding cycle theft.

    ii.         There were no specific wards which county lines took place in; recent enforcement had taken place in Petersfield Ward, off East Road.

   iii.         Many issues regarding county lines drug dealing involved young people who had come into the area, as opposed to those that lived in Cambridge. Continued to work with local schools on this matter was working well.

  iv.         There was now a separate department dealing with the COVID-19 anti-social behaviour issues. Additional officers had been scheduled to work over the next couple of weeks due to the reopening of some licensed premises.

    v.         The Neighbourhood Team continued to work with housing agencies and the city council to deal with COVID-19 breeches and related anti-social behaviour. Groups of young people had been dispersed, and in some cases, taken home then parents fined.

  vi.         With regards to anti-social driving, a timetable had been scheduled for each relevant area of the City (dependent on operational workloads). Neighbourhood officers and specially trained officers would have use of equipment, including the decimetre (to measure noise) and speed enforcement devices throughout December. There would be a further update at the next area committee meeting. 

 vii.         The decision to reduce the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) was not taken at local level. It would be too early to tell what effect this would have, and the consultation was still taking place. Believed it was the intention to have a PCSO presence in Cambridge. 

viii.         Noted the request to report back and highlight the comment that East Area Committee members were concerned that any loss of PCSOs would equate to the loss of intelligence and knowledge within the wards. Not just the loss of visibility of PCSOs for residents but also the loss of connection.

  ix.         Welcomed the positive comments of community policing throughout East Area.

    x.         Acknowledged the community unrest concerning the incident around Mill Road regarding a vehicle following a lone women pedestrian. Was unable to provide an update in a public meeting but could advise there was not a wider risk to the public.

  xi.         The decision was taken centrally not to include a breakdown of crime in each ward; this was due to the systems no longer able to provide the information in that specific format. This breakdown could be viewed https://www.police.uk

 xii.         Could not advise when speed watch training would take place again, particularly during the pandemic.

xiii.         There was not a priority list of roads for speed watch to be undertaken on. Noted the comments for Coleridge Road, Cherry Hinton Road, Davy Road and Rustat Road concerning excess speeding day and night. Would also encourage residents to report any incidents.

xiv.         Would enquire if Councillor Massey (trained Speedwatch representative) would be able to train members of the public. But believed a decision had been made not to train individuals due to COVID-19.

xv.         Would find out if there would be another Close Pass initiative or if there would any scope to undertake this at local level as part of the driving anti-social behaviour local area of concern

Councillor Massey advised that the PSCO consultation had now closed.

The Committee

RESOLVED unanimously to write to the Acting Police and Crime Commissioner highlighting the Committee’s concern regarding any loss of PCSOs in the area. The letter would be signed by the Chair of the Committee, Councillor Barnett, and Councillor Massey (Executive Councillor for Transport and Community Safety).

Resolved unanimously to continue the local areas of concern set at September which are as follows: 

  i.  Anti-social driving

  ii.  Cycle theft

  iii.  Drug dealing and the protection of local young people – child 

        criminal exploitation.