Issue - meetings

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.

A representative from the Garden Walk Resident’s Association made the following comments:

        i.              Expressed concern about children being exposed to drug dealing on the way to school and the impact on children of the constant exposure to this.

      ii.               Expressed interest in the speeding data gathered for Gilbert Road. 

    iii.               Would report drug dealing incidents online.

    iv.              Expressed concern about cars speeding on Victoria Avenue which had arisen as a consequence of the works being undertaken on Milton Road.

Councillor Todd-Jones encouraged members of the public to report incidences of drug dealing to the Police to help build up a picture of the issue which would assist the Police in allocating resources to tackle it.

Sergeant Jeffrey advised that no-one was reported for speeding in the Gilbert Road area when they undertook speeding checks but noted that this could have been because of their high visibility, which was a legal requirement. 

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

i.               Drug dealing in the Bramblefields area, Alexandra Gardens, Jubilee Gardens and Pointers Lodge (Chesterton Road).

ii.             Cycle theft at Cambridge North train station.

iii.            Impact of drug dealing on children using parks.

iv.           Speeding at Perse Way, Carlton Way and Roseford Road and queried what enforcement measures could be undertaken for the ‘resident access’ at Garden Walk.

v.             Knife crime (noted stabbing incident in Nuns Way).

vi.           Speeding and noisy bikes. 

Action: Sergeant Jeffrey to investigate what (if any) enforcement action could be undertaken regarding the vehicles which were driving (‘rat-running’) on Garden Walk where ‘resident access/restrictions’ applied.   

Inspector McNeill advised that there was an unauthorised encampment at Arbury Town Park and the City Council had asked the Police to consider their powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. The Inspector had given direction for those encamped to leave the land. The situation would be monitored.