Issue - decisions

The committee received a report from Inspector Poppit, Sergeant Jayne Drury and Community Fire Safety Officer Jim Meikle, regarding policing and safer neighbourhood trends.

The report outlined actions taken since the West Central Area committee of the 25^th April 2013.

Sergeant Drury updated Members on the following:

·        The Police had recently executed two warrants after receiving information which had resulted in five arrests; the reasons for those arrests were not given.

·        Work has been undertaken to tackle those Off Licences who  had sold alcohol to those already intoxicated relating to Anti-Social Behaviour and Open Spaces. Work was still on going on these issues and two licences would be reviewed. 

·        Land owners of the rough sleeping hotspots in the City Centre had been contacted and environmental changes identified to stop access to these areas.

·        Joint patrol with City Council Enforcement Officers had been carried out in Fitzroy Street and Burleigh Street to confront street drinking.

·        Two of the City’s problematic street drinkers were no longer in the City, one of whom had been jailed for breaching their Anti-Social Behavioural Order and other was now in a secure rehab centre.

Community Fire Safety Officer Meikle reported the following:

·        After Members support to prioritise bin and rubbish fires this had helped promote joint working with other services and other Council departments to work towards a solution to the problem of waste in the city.

·        During an inspection through the city that evening no single blue bags had been spotted. There was however commercial waste and a large number of unsecured bins with flammable materials left outside which provided an opportunity for arson.

Members were asked to approve the continuation of addressing waste management in Market Ward which would allow the joint working with the City Council to continue. The Council could access the blue bins when the shops were open so that rubbish did not build up and was not left on the street at night. 

In response to a Member’s question it was acknowledged that Hobson Passage was a particular problem area, the lay out of the city centre did not make it easy for bin storage. This could be addressed if the owners were instructed to keep the bins locked or stored in secure place and enforcement notices put into place.

Councillor Hipkin asked if it was reasonable to assume that not all bin fires were started deliberately such as a discarded cigarette butt. Community Fire Safety Officer Meikle explained that there was a difference but the cost to call out the fire brigade was the same.

Councillor Rosenstiel referred to the report in which the residents of Radcliffe Court had experienced youths gaining access to the private terraces within the complex by jumping onto different parts of the adjoining buildings. Residents had stated that they were not getting the support of neighbouring business in ensuring that roof access was secure. Sergeant Drury responded that she would speak to the businesses concerned

In response to a question concerning the penalty of those committing cycle theft, Sergeant Drury advised that the Courts decided the punishment and the matter was taken out of police hands.   

Sergeant Drury advised that the Police met with new University students to provide information to educate on issues such as bike safety and personal safety.

In reply to a Member comment regarding the Anti-Social Behaviour at Lammas Land, it was felt that that this area should also be added as priority. 

The Committee:

Resolved (unanimously) to prioritise the following:

·        Tackle ASB in the Jesus Lock; Lammas Land and Mitcham’s Corner area

·        Reduce theft of pedal cycles and dangerous cycling (seasonal peak for offending approaching in September/October)

·        Address waste management in Market Ward