The Police will provide an update on activities in the Ward.
Minutes:
Inspector Atwal provided an update on police activities in the Ward.
The following key points were noted:
· Priorities were looked at monthly, and were inclusive of what people had reported in.
· There was a good team in Castle with a number of PCSOs.
· Working with the University of Leicester, students had been visited. Some funding had been received, and police had looked at what would attract students to think about their anti-social behaviour (ASB). A company had supported the police, and with the Safer Leicester Partnership had provided messages on pizza cutters and bottle openers.
· On New Walk last year there were lots of ASB incidents. In 2018 police had worked with Survey Monkey and designed patrol plans around that. The University had given contact details to residents, rather than them contacting the police with reported issues.
· A priority for the following month was to target ASB due to Halloween and fireworks – high visibility patrols from 8.00pm to early morning.
· There were eight burglaries in the Clarendon Park area, which was down from the same period in 2017.
· Police in Oadby ad Wigston were running a burglary patrol operation which might be pushing people into the area. More stop and searches and continued high visibility patrols would take place.
· There had been a reduction in student burglaries, with two reported. Students were generally targeted as they usually had new equipment, such as tv’s, laptops, etc.
· A patchwalk would be held near De Montfort Street and Belmont Hotel the week following the meeting.
In response to questions, the following information was provided:
· It was believed a number of factors had resulted in the reduction of student burglaries. The Police had worked earlier in the year with the two universities, student unions and City Wardens. It was also thought the reduction in ‘To Let’ boards had assisted. It was suggested the pattern in the reduction of burglaries could be a project for students in the Criminology Department at the University.
· Two students had looked at the homeless and working girls, and the impact it had on the city. It was found that issues around drugs was linked to anti-social behaviour, which for certain groups in the city was blatant. A lot of work was being done to build intelligence.
· The was a good seize of cannabis plants at a property in Clarendon. It was noted that cannabis growing in properties was a huge fire risk.
· People had spotted drug dealing taking place outside Sainsbury’s, involving young children. It was reported that complex work around the issue and warrants were ongoing for the addresses feeding the drugs to the community. It took a lot to build up intelligence, and the police relied on information from the public. A good indicator was the curtains were always shut, condensation on the windows, plastic sheets across windows, and people not living there and rarely visiting.
· Drones were also used to inspect houses where it was suspected cannabis was being grown. If the landlord was aware, they would be prosecuted.
· There had been a number of reports with the Clarendon Park Facebook community regarding cars broken into, rummaged through and no damage – keyless entry, where key fobs had been activated with a device – mainly Ford cars.
· Local PCSO Amarjit Sanghera just been awarded with the St Philips diversity award. A PCSO for 7 years, he had done a lot of work with the Sikh community, and was at the forefront of work with Sikhs and Muslims.
· The City Central Team was also nominated for the Neighbourhood Policing award which we got. Specials had been awarded ‘Best Special’ in the Ward. PCSOs and the Neighbourhood Officer were commended.
The Chair passed on thanks to all officers for everything they did, and congratulations to Amarjit.