Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from Sergeant Emms 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 areas of concern and engagement activity noted in the report were:

•  ASB and dangerous driving across the north of the city (including Fen Road and the High Street) and NO2 canisters;

•  Street based drug dealing including cuckooing; and

•  Youth and knife crime.

The virtual Area Committee would not be making a decision, so would not vote on priorities set by the Police. The Police reported back on the local areas of concern they were currently focussing on. Councillors and members of the public could not change these, but they could suggest ideas/issues for the Police to focus on.

In response to Members’ discussion Sargeant Emms provided the following responses:

      i.         Confirmed it was an offence to drive under the influence of drugs. Noted an issue with NO2 was that it dissipated through the body almost instantly therefore it was difficult to prosecute people for driving under the influence of this. Noted that the police had other ways to tackle this issue as other offences could be being committed at the same time as driving under the influence of NO2.

    ii.         Was aware of a couple of reports of damaged vehicles on the High Street in Chesterton but was not aware that this was an on-going issue.

   iii.         Was aware of a gathering point for youths near Tesco (in Chesterton?) but was not aware of any specific recorded complaints either from the store or from residents.

  iv.         At the neighbourhood level, the Home | Police.uk (www.police.uk) website allows for swift access to local crime and anti-social behaviour data at street level. The website can display crimes on a map as well as in chart format, along with trend lines.

    v.         Police Officers were visiting schools to speak with children about knife crime and trying to divert children away from crime. This initiative was still in its early stages, so it was too early to comment whether there had been any impact from the school visits.

  vi.         The Police regularly worked with partners including the Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Team and City Homes at the City Council, Cambridge Regional College and Romsey Mill to try and reach out to peers and family members of offenders to try and divert them from criminal activities.

 vii.         There was a Department wide operation regarding cycle crime which was managed by the South Team Sergeant. Confirmed was aware of the ‘Facebook Stolen Bikes’ group but unfortunately the information published by the group was not sufficient for the courts to accept as evidence. A property had been identified through the group and Police were investigating whether this was being used as part of a stolen bike operation.

viii.         Agreed small motorbikes did tend to be noisier.   

  ix.         Police officers needed to witness poor driving to be able to successfully prosecute someone.

    x.         Operation Staple included ASB driving.

  xi.         Where individuals / families appeared to be on the periphery of crime, they would be assessed by officers and those at risk would be visited by Police Officers to try and divert them from crime.

 xii.         The North Cambridge Consultation Meeting was a pilot scheme which had worked well and a second consultation with residents about their concerns was planned for 30 November.  Thought invitations had been sent out but would follow this up with colleagues.

Action: Would look into the publicity about the second North Cambridge Consultation Meeting and would ensure that invitations to this event were sent out / made available.

In response to Members’ discussion the ASB Officer provided the following response:

        i.       The City Council have delivered Cambs Against County Lines sessions in schools to raise awareness about county lines and criminal exploitation. Most recently, officers from the Community Safety Team delivered a session at Chesterton Community College.

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

        i.       HRARA appreciated the work initiative regarding begging by the Co-op on Histon Road.  However was aware that the same problem existed by Aldi.  Witnessed an employee having to run out of the shop and stop an abusive drunk beggar from offending a customer. Asked the employee when he returned if this was an ongoing issue and he replied yes. Did not think it should be the responsibility of the employees to police this issue.

      ii.        Wanted to ask the Streetlife Working Group to include Aldi beggars in their multiagency meetings.

The ASB Officer confirmed that the above issue would be taken on board and would be discussed at the Streetlife Working Group the following week. Encouraged members of the public to report any concerns to the Police and also confirmed that ASB Officers were happy to liaise with members of the public. they could be contacted on asbsection@cambridge.gov.uk.