Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from Sergeant Norden regarding the policing and safer neighbourhoods trends.

The report outlined actions taken since the Committee on 29 November 2012. The current emerging issues/neighbourhood trends for each ward were also highlighted (see report for full details). Previous priorities and engagement activity noted in the report were theft of cycles in the East area, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Petersfield area, plus drug dealing in the Riverside and Stourbridge Common area.

The Committee discussed the following policing issues:

(i)             Rough sleepers in Mill Road Cemetery.

(ii)            Drug dealing, drug use and associated ASB affecting Norfolk Street and the surrounding area.

(iii)          ASB affecting open spaces in general (thematic rather than geographic focus).

(iv)         ASB linked to street drinking in Mill Road.

(v)           Number of burglaries in Abbey Ward.

(vi)         Speeding in Coldham’s Lane.

In response to EAC Members’ questions Sergeant Norden and the Safer Communities Section Manager said the following:

(i)             Police officers would arrest people in possession of Class A and B drugs, particularly dealers. If residents could signpost areas to target, the police would do so.

(ii)            In February 2013 the Safer Communities Section organised a street surgery in Ditton Fields, following some complaints about disruptive behaviour in the area. Surgeries had also been organised by PCSOs. All issues raised to date had been addressed to Sergeant Norden’s knowledge, but he undertook to liaise with Councillor Johnson if not.

(iii)          The Police had only undertaken one licence review to date in the City, others may be considered in future as the case was successful in changing licencees’ behaviour. Plain clothes officers were monitoring alcohol sales in the Mill Road area.

(iv)         The “bin the pin” campaign by council officers to drug users had reduced the number of discarded needles in public areas, as had the increased frequency of bin emptying. Any discarded needles should be picked up within 2 hours of identification.

(v)           The Mill Road area was patrolled daily, sometimes more than once. Any offences such as ASB around the Co-op should be reported to the police.

(vi)         The Police could undertake ad hoc speeding checks in Coldham’s Lane without making it a police priority.

In response to members of the public concern regarding rough sleepers in Mill Road Cemetery, Councillor Blencowe said this issue would be addressed through the proposed ‘Alcohol-related ASB in the Petersfield and Mill Road area’ priority.

The following priorities were unanimously agreed:

(i)             Theft of cycles in the East area.

(ii)            Alcohol-related ASB in the Petersfield and Mill Road area.

(iii)          Drug dealing in the Riverside and Stourbridge Common area.