August 2011
NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETING
NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETING
Ward: Westborough
Date: Tuesday 16th August 2011
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm
Location: St Andrews Church, Westborough Road.
Members Present:
Pc Alex Bossom – Neighbourhood Constable
Rev. Stuart Kimber – St Andrews Church
Dave Batter – Resident
Matthew Wildish – Resident
Sylvia Sookias – Resident
Lydia Sookias – Resident
Jade Gilbert -
Apologies for absence:
Alan Grubb – Resident
Irene Grubb – Resident
Tania Painton -
AGENDA:
1. Review of previously agreed priorities:
a) Criminal Damage to Motor Vehicles across ward: Pc AB informed members that Police had conducted high visibility and covert patrols within the ward. A total of 15 reports of criminal damage to vehicles had been reported since our last meeting, with 6 of these occurring overnight on a Saturday / Sunday evening in Beedell Avenue, where vehicle bodywork had been scraped with a sharp object. There were 2 more incidents in Hildaville Drive on a separate evening. Patrols had been focused on the problem, but due to lack of an identified pattern of offending, it was difficult to deploy resources at specific locations or times. There have been no arrests and the offences are currently undetected, with no repeat victims being identified.
2. Current problems / Information sharing:
a) JG reported that a number of activities for young people had been planned and advertised for the school summer holiday period. The Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) were involved in a number of operations, targeting young people at risk of offending or harm. These operations ‘Dolphin’, ‘Red Bull’ & ‘Stay Safe’, were ongoing and were a joint agency response to reported problems or referrals.
b) LS reported on suspected drug activity in the alleyway at the rear of ‘Sally’s Curiosities’ in Ronald Park Avenue. LS agreed to discuss with Pc AB outside of meeting to facilitate Pc AB meeting with the original informant.
c) SS requested an update on the recently reported rape investigation. Pc AB informed attendees that the investigation was ongoing and agreed to discuss with SS outside of meeting.
d) MW updated on graffiti issues, reporting that incidents had reduced ‘big time’ recently. A roller had been used to graffiti the tennis courts behind Clatterfield Gardens with the word ‘MARVIN’ in 12” high letters. There were also older tags ‘BC’, ‘Rayz’ & ‘Denser’ seen on the 20th July and ‘Les & Gary’s’ vans had been targeted. White paint had been used to damage a car which had been reported to the Police; the can of paint being thrown in the brook.
e) MW reported on current drug activity in the Southview Drive area.
f) LS reported on current drug supply activity and associated antisocial behaviour in a specified area which occurs around 7pm. JG undertook to ensure that the Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) and the Young Persons Drug & Alcohol Team (YPDAT) were aware and targeted resources.
g) SK reported that Debbie Martin had been appointed as the church youth worker and it was hoped she would start work in the near future, with the intention of being centred around the café.
h) Pc AB updated that the rough sleeper in the doctor’s surgery reported at the previous meeting had been spoken to by Police and has been moved on.
i) Pc AB reported that patrols have been made by PCSOs in Hildaville Drive regarding the previously reported skateboarders and that they had not been seen. SS reported that they have moved to Tintern Avenue & Westborough Road, there being 2 or 3 at a time, aged about 18yrs. DB reported seeing them in Fleetwood Avenue. LS reported on a ‘Blue Light’ Disco scheme she had read about to engage young people and agreed to discuss with Pc AB outside of meeting.
j) LS reported on an incident the previous Friday evening, where 2 males resident in Tintern Avenue were engaged in sexual activity in that road. LS agreed to arrange for original informant to speak to Pc AB.
k) SK reported on a scheme currently being debated, to create emergency accommodation within 5 churches in the town for use by homeless persons. The accommodation would be made available between 7.30pm – 7.30am during September to February if extreme weather conditions prevail (-3 degrees on 3 consecutive days).
l) Pc AB updated that 2 people had been arrested and charged with causing criminal damage to motor vehicles in Beedell Avenue, but was unable to provide details of conviction at the moment.
m) SK reported on a Street Pastors initiative entitled ‘Adopt a street’ where prayer is offered for a specific area continually for a year. The scheme has been adopted at various locations around the world and significant reductions in reported crime have occurred.
n) DB informed attendees that his residents’ newsletter would include details of Neighbourhood meetings and could be found at aowr.org.uk/newsletter followed by sequential publication number.
o) SB reminded attendees to spread the message regarding reporting problems to the Police at the time they were happening, to enable the most appropriate Police response. In situations requiring urgent attendance the 999 system should be used. For non – emergency situations requiring Police attendance then calls should be made via the new national non-emergency number 101 . This number was introduced on the 1st July and has replaced the 0300 333 4444 number previously used in Essex. The neighbourhood Police team were contactable via the mobile no. 07817 968093 for information or general enquiries.
3. Set new priorities:
1) Drug activity & antisocial behaviour at a specified location.
4. Any other business:
None
None
5. Date of next meeting:
7pm Tuesday 4th October 2011 at St. Andrews Church.