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.         Drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour, including threatening behaviour and safeguarding of young people;

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

   iii.         Street begging; and

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

 

A member of the public put forward the following questions:

 

Q1: Recently, a neighbour experienced someone attempting to break into her home late on a Saturday night. She was alone with two young children. Despite being on the phone with the police while the person was attempting to get into her front door and being around the corner from the Parkside Station, there was no attempt made by the police to attend to her house while it was happening, despite it going on for some time. Luckily the attempt was unsuccessful, and the person left without coming inside. The police visited the next day. 

 

When she told her neighbours the next day what had happened, we had one collective question - if a ‘live' home invasion is not an immediate priority for the Cambridge police for a call out, what is happening in Cambridge that is more pressing?

 

Sergeant Misik advised that he had reviewed this case and had spoken with Councillor Bick of the outcome; the nature of the call changed while the member of the public was on the phone. Due to the change, the call handler adjusted the priority as the risk had reduced.

 

 

Q2: NB: This is not referring to the motorised mopeds being discussed elsewhere.

Cycling through the centre of Cambridge since the end of Lockdown is now essentially anarchic. There is no more any concept of one way streets and there is widespread cycling on pavements. Although I cycle through it several times a day, I have never seen any police or community patrol engaging in it

Although I’m sure some cyclists are doing it deliberately to save time, I think many simply do not understand which streets are one way

 
Could the Council please consider some action towards improving this - for example, a day or two where those entering one-way systems the wrong way are actively and publicly stopped; improved signage, etc? (Regarding improved signage, can it please be remembered that not all cyclists, particularly those not from the UK, have taken a UK driving test and may not understand the meaning of UK road signs.)

 

At a bare minimum, could the painted signs on the ground that show that there is separate ‘lanes' for pedestrians and cyclists on the path leading to Garret Hostel Bridge from the Backs be repainted? They are barely visible, and there is a general air of confusion as to where one is supposed to be. This will only get worse as the tourists return in greater numbers.

 

The Head of Environmental Services respond that enforcement was a Police responsibility, and the County Council would be responsible for signage as the highway authority.  Had spoken with the City and County Council Cycling Officer on this matter who had advised of the following.

      i.         The highway around Garrett Hostel was to narrow for the effective segregation of pedestrians and those using cycles. This should not have been implemented in the first instance. Therefore, could not support the request for the faded signs to be repainted. 

    ii.         There had been some improvement to signage undertaken some years back but there could be scope for greater clarity.  Without enforcement, signage has limited impact.

 

Sergeant Misik explained that enforcement was undertaken but could not be at the same location all day every day. 

 

The Committee discussed whether a one-way system was required and if there was an issue with people choosing to cycle doing so both ways. It was noted this was also an environmental issue, witnessed aggressive interaction on a shared space and there should be respect and awareness.

 

The Committee next discussed the policing and safer neighbourhood report and the frustration that was experienced when reporting a crime / incident that very little or no feedback was received, particularly when reporting a drug related crime and / or associated anti-social behaviour.

 

Sergeant Misik explained that an outcome was rarely provided back to the individual. Reporting provided the police with a better chance of being in the right place at the right time and provided examples where a positive outcome had been received due to the public / councillor reporting. Agreed to speak with Inspector McNeill on how to improve the message of successes and if a briefing note could be circulated to the Committee.

 

In response to a discussion on street begging the Harm reduction and Anti-Social Behaviour Manager advised those individuals who were passive begging were rarely reported, therefore officers were not receiving the evidence of the impact this was having on people. Officers did not have the power to move on or prevent these street beggars unless a case of evidence was provided to the court for injunctive action. Officers would try to engage with these individuals to link them in with options available.

 

Those street beggars who were accommodated were treated the same as those who were homeless, it was the behaviour that was targeted, and all were offered the same support services.

 

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

      i.         Drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour, including threatening behaviour and safeguarding of young people with a particular focus on open spaces.  

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

   iii.         Street begging; and

  iv.         Improving feedback back to the community and councillors when a crime or incident had been reported to show the positive results.

 

Members confirmed their agreement the above areas would remain as suggested priorities for the police, including the additional request for feedback to residents and councillors on positive results from non-urgent reporting and a focus on open spaces during the summer months