The Leicester Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire will give a presentation and respond to any questions. “Prevention through Partnership, to protect communities”.
Minutes:
Local Policing Sergeant (Sgt) Nigel Baraclough was present at the meeting and provided the following update:
Local Policing Update
· It was noted that there were issues regarding young males taking drugs and potentially carrying weapons, they were seen to be located around tower blocks in the ward. Several arrests had been made and the Housing department had been informed.
· Sgt Baraclough gave an update of a gang who were responsible for violent crime in the Ward earlier this year whereby the Police had recovered many assets/ weapons and the gang had now received banning orders preventing them from entering certain areas. Residents were informed that if they knew of any breaches with this group, they could report this on the Police website by typing ‘banning order Spinney Hills’.
· Attendees were also informed that they could attend the monthly meetings held by the Police at Wesley Hall. For dates, it was advised to visit the Leicestershire Police website.
City Warden Update
· Angela Martin – Ward Community Engagement Officer (WCEO) read the update provided by the City Warden. Contact details for the City Warden were provided and residents were requested to provide details of any City Warden issues to the WCEO after the meeting.
Police and Crime Commissioner - Lord Will Bach
Councillor Dr Chowdhury gave an introduction to the Police and Crime Commissioner – Lord Willy Bach.
· Willy Bach then explained his position and provided details about the Police and Crime plan which included emphasis on Crime prevention, partnership and protection.
· It was noted that the plan was built around five themes; 1) viable partnerships, 2) visible Policing, 3) victim services, 4) Vulnerability protection and 5) value for money.
Residents were then given the opportunity to ask questions to Willy Bach some of which addressed issues such as residents’ experiences with the Police, diversity/ equality in the Police and domestic violence. Actions which arose from those questions were as followed:
· In regards to the domestic violence issues Angela Martin – WCEO agreed to provide contact details of the Community Safety Team to residents who required it. A resident also noted that a service called ‘United Against Violence and Abuse’ (UAVA) which was partly funded by Leicester City Council had recently been launched and a helpline was available.
· A vulnerable resident noted to have had issues with her housing, reported that the Council were pursuing her for costs which she (and her representative) felt was not her debt. Angela Martin – WCEO agreed to go through further details with the resident after the meeting and look into what could be done.
· It was queried what actions were being taken to reduce drugs and alcohol in the community. Willy Bach noted that next week was alcohol awareness week and informed residents of organisations such as ‘Turning Point’ which offered a variety of services hubs and ‘Dear Albert’ which helped individuals stop taking alcohol and drugs.
· The Police were to follow up on a recent robbery which took place at a relative’s house of one of the meetings attendees.