Issue - decisions

The committee received a report from the Southern Area Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant (Jim Stephenson).

Prior to the presentation of the report, the Sergeant highlighted the recent murder at Hanover Court. The committee were advised that the Neighbourhood Policing Team were not directly involved in the investigation, however it was explained that they would have a role in the long term.

The Sergeant reported on activity relating to priorities set at the November meeting.

·        Anti-social behaviour on and in the immediate vicinity of Cherry Hinton High Street

·        Anti-social behaviour associated with the use of mopeds

·        Anti-social parking associated with Morley Memorial and Queen Edith’s Primary Schools.

The committee were given the opportunity to consider whether each priorities should be retained, altered or discharged.

Anti-social behaviour in Cherry Hinton

It was noted that at a recent meeting of the Cherry Hinton Residents Association the continuation of the priority at least for another period had been requested. Concern was also expressed that some of the issues may have been suppressed by the cold weather.

The Sergeant acknowledged the concerns, but explained that engagement activities associated with Cherry Hinton were now embedded in the day to day activities of the neighbourhood policing team, so even if the priority was dischargedm the level of activity was unlikely to fall.

Mopeds

It was noted that there had been a significant reduction in the number of incidents, but concern was expressed that the cold weather may be a major factor in this reduction.  It was also suggested that inappropriate use of mopeds and mini motors has been highlighted as a possible problem on the southern section of guided bus route.

Anti-social parking

It was noted that to date the Police activities had been focussed on education and not enforcement, but inconsiderate parking remained a problem, although it was at a reduced level. Ward Councillors asked for the police to move to enforcement at the two schools where work had already taken place. It was also explained that both schools had written to all parents on a number of occasions.

Similar problems were highlighted in relation to the Pelican School on Glebe Road and Homerton Children’s Centre. Specific engagement activities had been undertaken with parents at Homerton Children’s Centre in the past, but due to the turnover of children it was agreed that education should be used as the first tactic. It was agreed however that issues associated with the schools identified in the original priority should be addressed through enforcement.

 

Questions were asked about the reasons for the rise in violent crime in Queen Edith’s. The Sergeant explained that the levels of violent crime were low in Queen Edith’s, and that the majority of the increase related to a single incident at Addenbrooke’s. Clarification was also requested on what engagement occurred with Addenbrooke’s and whether any specific interventions were planned. The Sergeant explained that there was regular engagement with Addenbrooke’s and that crime levels were in line with the normal patterns.

Police were asked whether detection rates in the report were unduly low, or whether they were average and what if any actions were being taken to improve the detection rate. The Sergeant explained that the detection rate was an average across all crime types, and crimes where the complaint was withdrawn were included in the undetected category. The committee were advised that the detection rates varied significantly across different crime types.

Mr Richard Taylor addressed the committee and welcomed the recent publicity from the South Area Policing Team regarding burglary. He also repeated previous requests for additional detail about the composition of the violent crime statistics and for details regarding speeding to be included. Mr Taylor also highlighted the presence of a representative of the Police Authority and suggested that they should have a greater role in the priority setting process, and also asked whether the Police Authority could exert any influence to ensure that the information was included.

The Sergeant explained that burglary was not solely managed by the Neighbourhood Police Team. The committee were assured that there was no spike in recent activity, and whilst incidents continued to be low, it was recognised that burglary had a major impact on individuals.  With reference to speeding the Sergeant explained that he couldn’t access the requested information, but did provide a breakdown of which percentage of report crimes had been logged as domestic violence.

	Domestic Violent related incidents	Total incidents
Queen Ediths	16	202
Cherry Hinton	31	126
Trumpington	22	186

 

The Sergeant explained that the % composition of domestic violence was broadly consistent with the rest of the city and previous reporting periods.

The Sergeant agreed to explore the possibility of reporting the number of fixed penalty notices issued by traffic cameras in the South Area; however it was noted that there were only a small number of cameras.

Ruth Joyce, an independent member of the Police Authority introduced herself and agreed to follow up the issues raised. She explained however that the Police Authority would cease to operate at the end of 2012 and that the responsibilities would be transferred to the new Police and Crime Commissioners.

Concerns were raised regarding the prevalence of speeding in Church End, Cherry Hinton. The Sergeant explained that speed enforcement was part of the regular business of the Police, and enforcement would be undertaken based on intelligence. The committee were advised that whilst PCSOs could undertake sampling activities, they were not permitted to undertake enforcement activities. Ward Councillors confirmed that the issue had been raised with the police before and asked for enforcement.

The following priorities were suggested during discussion.

1.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour in Cherry Hinton

 

2.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour associated with mini motos and mopeds

 

3.    Continue – Anti Social parking associated with Queen Ediths and Morley Memorial Primary Schools (enforcement) and add Homerton Childrens Centre and the Perse Pelican School (education).

 

4.    Add – Speeding on Church End

 

 

Following discussion it was agreed to not adopt a fifth priority associated with drug related issues in Hanover and Princes Court due to the on-going investigation activities having a significant impact in reducing general crime level. It was also agreed to review the situation in relation to Hanover and Princes Court at the next Police priority-setting meeting.

Resolved (Unanimously) to adopt the following priorities.

1.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour in Cherry Hinton

 

2.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour associated with mini motos and mopeds

 

3.    Continue – Anti Social parking associated with Queen Edith’s and Morley Memorial Primary Schools and add Homerton Childrens Centre and the Perse Pelican School.

 

4.    Add – Speeding on Church End