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:

·            Anti-social behaviour on green spaces, e.g. Jesus Green.

§    Road safety focussing on delivery mopeds and scooters, particularly in the City Centre and central open spaces.

·            Street begging.

·            Supporting the new (police campaign) expected on drugs with focus on frequent users and the night-time economy.

The Senior Anti-Social Behaviour Officer informed the Committee the City Council had recruited a Street Support Officer who would take a more assertive outreach approach with street life people, building relationships with individuals, gathering evidence while working with multi agencies to deter certain behaviours.

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

·      Drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour on green spaces highlighting Jesus Green and Grantchester Meadows.

·      County line drug dealing and safeguarding of young people.

·      Night-time economy and drug dealing and drug taking.

·      E-scooters illegally used on public highways.

·      Lack of lights on cycles.

·      Street begging.

Sergeant Stevenson recommended that the focus on open spaces regarding drug dealing and associated behaviour be removed; the cold weather would have an impact on the behaviour, but Police would still patrol these areas as standard.

The following suggestions were put forward for the Police to consider as local areas of concern.

·      Drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour, including threating behaviour and safeguarding of young people.

·      Road safety focussing on delivery mopeds and electric scooters illegally used on public highways, particularly those vehicles at night without lights.

·      Street begging.

Supporting the new (police campaign) expected on drugs with focus on frequent users and the night-time economy.