Issue - meetings

The committee received a verbal update from the Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant and the Community Fire Officer on crime and policing in the four wards.

 

1) Councillor Manning: Suggested that as part of future reports the Police could highlight additional ‘root causes’ of issues. This would allow the Area Committee to take away and progress issues that were not directly under the control of the Police.

 

The Chair agreed to liaise with the Police on this suggestion.

 

2) Councillor Price: Pleased that overall crime figures were down, but enquired as to the reasons for the rise in ‘violent crime’.

 

The Police Sergeant confirmed that a number of thefts had taken place from fast food delivery drivers and as there had been a ‘threat’ of violence it had increased the overall figures. Also a number of incidents had taken place at a local pub as a result of a change in the management. This issue was being addressed by the Police and Licensing Officers.

 

3) Councillor Bird: Asked for details on the increase in ‘theft from vehicles’ in East Chesterton.

 

The Police Sergeant confirmed that a number of arrests had been made and it was hoped that the figures would now decrease as a result.

 

4) Councillor Brierley: Asked what data source was used for the needle finds.

 

The Safer Communities Manager confirmed that figures were based on reporting from the City Rangers.

 

5) Councillor Ward: Reports had been made regarding a motorcyclist driving at 90mph down Histon Road.

 

The Police Sergeant confirmed that he would look into this issue.

 

6) Councillor Pitt: Thanked Police Sergeant Wragg and congratulated the Police on the year on year decrease in crime figures. Asked if the burglaries in West Chesterton related to thefts from sheds.

 

The Police Sergeant confirmed that it was from sheds and garages.

 

7) Ms Harris: Asked why the fire in Aylesborough Close had not been included in the report.

 

The Police Sergeant confirmed that the fire had taken place after the report had been written. In response to this fire the Police had spoken with housing colleagues about the need to secure empty properties properly.

 

The Community Fire Officer confirmed that work was ongoing with City Homes to minimise the risk of fires.

 

8) Councillor Brierley: Asked if statistics on traffic violations such as anti-social cycling could be included in future reports.

 

This comment was noted.

 

9) Councillor Pitt: Asked if the Police were promoting cycle safety in schools.

 

The Police Sergeant confirmed that the Police had a good relationship with all of the schools in the area and work was ongoing to promote cycle safety.

 

10) Councillor O’Reilly: Confirmed that any decision of the Committee should be based on evidence, and as anti-social cycling was not reflected in the accident statistics, she was happy for it to no longer be a priority.

 

Councillor Manning supported this and agreed to work with the Police were required to identify any ongoing hotspots for anti-social cycling.

 

Councillor Boyce noted that cycling accidents tended to be under-reported, whereas most car accidents tended to be reported for insurance purposes.

 

These comments were noted.

 

On a show of hands the following three Neighbourhood Priorities were agreed unanimously:

 

       i.          Continue the arson prevention work

     ii.          Continue the prevention and enforcement work to reduce cycle theft

   iii.          Address ASB in the green areas across the North