April 2011
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL
Ward: Westborough
Date: Tuesday 5th April 2011
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm
Location: St Andrews Church, Westborough Road.
Members Present:
Pc Alex Bossom – Neighbourhood Constable
Sgt Gary Lane – Neighbourhood Policing Supervisor
Rev. Stuart Kimber – St Andrews Church
Sandra Brett – NHW / Resident
Dave Batter – Resident
Jade Gilbert – IYSS (Integrated Youth Support Service)
Matthew Wildish – Resident
Steve Bright
Apologies for absence:
Brenda Smith – RAW
Tania Painton -
AGENDA:
1. Review of previously agreed priorities:
a) Drug supply activity – specified location: Pc AB informed members that Police had conducted high visibility and covert patrols in the specified area and that a test purchase operation ‘Simmer’ had resulted in the identification of those involved in the drug supply. Two persons (1 of whom was a local male) have been arrested and are the subject of proceedings. MW commented that the problem has ceased or been displaced. Ps GL and Pc AB informed members that patrols by Police, PCSOs & Special Constabulary would continue, to prevent / deter further activity.
b) Graffiti – identified location: Pc AB informed members that regular patrols had taken place in the area of the library and that there had been no reported incidents of graffiti at this location; the previous graffiti has been removed. Pc AB has had a meeting with the deputy manager of the library to discuss prevention measures, with the installation of CCTV a consideration. The current financial constraints prevent this being a viable option and SandraB suggested that ‘dummy’ cameras may be a positive ‘low cost’ measure, which Pc AB agreed to explore. MW commented that similar equipment had been damaged / removed at a local church, following the discovery of it being fake.
2. Current problems / Information sharing:
a) MW reported on the greatly reduced amount of graffiti in the area of the brook and of the efficient response from SBC in promptly removing any fresh damage. There is a reduction in the use of the tags ‘BC’, ‘MORK’ & ‘AZBO’ .
b) SandraB, in her capacity as a member of the Parent Council at the Chase School, raised the continuing issue of truancy, which is a current concern for that group. Pc AB reported that he had conducted a joint ‘Truancy’ patrol in February, during which 4 young people were identified and returned to the school. SandraB & MW identified that there were 2 issues – school security to prevent pupils absconding & issues around pupils truanting in the first place. SandraB agreed to focus on improvements to the gates/turnstiles at the school. JG agreed to research the issue of truanting within the re-formed Integrated Youth Support Service (Merger of Youth Offending Service and Connexions), to establish if pupils are deemed ‘at risk’, which may allow for street engagement officers to be deployed. Pc AB reported that the schools liaison officer for the western area, Pc Lisa Worricker had returned from maternity leave and SandraB agreed to contact her regarding this issue. SandraB offered her services as the link for the Parent Council and requested that any issues be passed to her for discussion at their monthly meetings.
c) SandraB and MW reported on damage to a launderette in Fairmead Avenue and to shrubs / flowers along Prittlewell brook, which are believed to have been caused by truanting pupils from Chase School. JG reported that she had received emails from Tony Little (SBC Parks Dept.) & Mick Holland (Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership) concerning the uprooting of the plants, between 8 – 8.45am and that IYSS would focus patrols on this problem.
d) DB reported that there appears to be a reduction in the problem of under age young people attempting to purchase tobacco at the ‘Costcutters’ store in Westborough Road at its junction with Fleetwood Avenue and thanked the authorities for their response. MW added that there were still attempts by Year 11 students from Chase School, as they are not required to wear uniform and try to pass themselves off as older than they actually are. Pc AB agreed to pass information to SBC Trading Standards department.
e) Pc AB updated regarding a previous NAP issue of vehicles regularly parking on the double yellow lines in Westborough Road, near to the junction with Westbourne Grove. Pc AB has conducted regular patrols in the area – no obstructions being found and SBC Parking Enforcement Team will continue to deploy staff in the area.
f) Pc AB updated regarding a previous NAP issue of vehicles being advertised for sale on the highway. SBC ‘Street scene’ staff has focused on the problem and ‘Cars Direct’ have been fined for contravention of the regulations.
g) SK reported that improvements had been made to the church gardens and that there was no recent damage / graffiti, although litter was still a problem. A dog waste bin has been sited at the church, so should assist with the local problem of dog waste.
h) Pc AB reported on the current issue of damage to motor vehicles (wing mirrors being broken off), with 22 reported incidents since the last NAP. The offences were spread across the ward, the majority being in the area of Northview Drive, Glenwood Avenue & Westcliff Park Drive. The offences appear to be committed during the late evening / early morning and Pc AB asked for the public’s help to prevent further offences and identify those responsible. Any information or suspicious activity should be reported to the Police at the time (999 for emergency response, 0300 333 4444 in non-emergency situations requiring Police attendance and via the mobile no. 07817 968 093 for information or general enquiries).
i) SB informed members that Southend Borough Council carried out a test purchase operation at 10 undisclosed off licences over the weekend of 11th – 13th March. The scheme involving young people was designed to identify those premises selling alcohol to under age persons and was directly related to information / complaints received from the public. Three of the premises visited sold alcohol to under age persons and SBC Trading Standards officers are taking the necessary further action. DB updated that a report had appeared in the Evening Echo on 5.4.2011 stating that the 3 premises are subject to official notices to make changes to their sales procedures.
j) SB informed members that Cory Environmental & Source Consultancy will be conducting a door to door ‘Re-cycling’ survey across parts of the borough during the period 21 st March – 21st April. Staff involved will be wearing Hi-visibility vests, have ID badges and an official letter from Cory Environmental.
k) SB promoted a discussion regarding facilities for young people within the wards. The enquiry was at the request of the Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS), who are attempting to identify what is currently available and what is required across the borough.
3. Set new priorities:
1) Criminal damage to motor vehicles across ward.
4. Any other business:
None
None
5. Date of next meeting:
7pm Tuesday 7th June 2011 at St Andrews Church, Westborough Road, Westcliff.