Issue - meetings

Representatives from the local police team and Council’s community safety team will present the latest report and answer questions.

The Committee received a report 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:

      i.         Street based drug dealing, including cuckooing.

    ii.         ASB and dangerous driving across the north of the city and NO2 canisters.

   iii.         Cycle crime.

  iv.         Youth and knife crime.

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

1.    Asked in relation to people who drove petrol mopeds with L plates if there was any evidence that the drivers were receiving instruction or were booked in for tests and whether they had insurance. Also asked if the Police had concerns about human trafficking and modern slavery given the high numbers of moped drivers visible over the past 12-18 months.

The Police advised that the only way to know if the drivers had taken a driving test or had insurance was to stop the drivers and ask them. There were automatic numberplate cameras around the city which alerted the Police about certain issues, but this only happened if the vehicle was driven passed the cameras. Members of the public had no legal powers to stop the drivers themselves and were advised not to do so. 

2.    Asked what the Police were doing to make the pavements safe for pedestrians, free of unauthorised cyclists.

The Police advised that road traffic laws required a Police Officer to witness cycling offences, this was difficult with current officer resources and if the Police were on their way to an incident with a more pressing risk. The Police liaised with ‘Voi’ when registration information was provided regarding the anti-social use of e-scooters. This could result in Voi issuing warnings to users or the person’s account being suspended.

Members welcomed and supported the work of the Police and Anti-Social Behaviour Team.  Members expressed concerns regarding:

        i.       Noisy motor bikes / noisy exhausts

      ii.        Bike thefts / burglaries

    iii.        Knife crime

    iv.       Effectiveness of cycle crime investigations reported online

      v.       ASB at Carlton Way shops / Carlton Terrace

    vi.       Parking issues near schools.