Dave Budd from Leicestershire Police will give a presentation about how antisocial behaviour is being tacked in the ward,
Minutes:
Hardip Dayal from the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Dave Budd, Community Initiative Co-Ordinator, gave a presentation and led a discussion regarding how the Neighbourhood Policing Team was working in Eyres Monsell and Gilmorton.
Dave Budd explained that priorities for the area were identified regularly so that the team could focus on what was most important. These priorities were identified through the Community Safety Bureau who produced six-monthly reports; and also, Community Meetings could also help in identifying what people felt the team should be working on.
Dave reported that the three current priorities were antisocial behaviour (particularly on Swinford Avenue), vehicle related crime, and drug misuse. The priorities were tacked using a “National Intelligence Model,” which was a problem-solving plan. It involved identifying those causing the problem, catching them and taking enforcement action. Other people working in the area could also contribute to this, such as the City Warden and Housing Officers.
Methods used to catch offenders included cameras, patrols and plain clothed police officers. Partnership working was also important, and residents could pass on information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. There was also a mobile police station that could visit the area.
Dave and Hardip stressed that the police could not do all the work on their own, and that they relied on everyone working together to tackle problems.
Members of the public asked the following questions and received responses as below:
1) Has the situation of antisocial behaviour around the Exchange improved?
Generally, yes. There are still a few individuals we are trying to tackle. The Joint Action Group (JAG) has now started to look into this, which may lead to increased funding opportunities to tackle it. Community justice is being trialled, and may have an effect.
2) Can a drinking ban be introduced on the estate?
We have applied for this twice before, and will continue to do so. Bans are introduced with the agreement of the Council, and we need to get together some good evidence that it is needed.
3) Problems of antisocial behaviour have moved from the Exchange to Swinford Avenue, particularly at the end of the school day.
We can look into having a more visible presence at that time of day in that area.
4) Do officers do work in schools?
Yes, and we came to the Children’s Centre recently. We have also set up projects for children and young people, including a bulb-planting event in the Lady’s Covert. We hope that, by planting them, they will want to look after tem as well.
5) It is not all children who cause problems – just the odd “bad apple.”
Part of Hardip’s job is to get involved with all the others who may be in danger of getting drawn in with the odd bad influence, and give them other options. Football events and the Eyres Monsell Sports Day have been arranged.
Councillor Palmer thanked Dave and Hardip for the discussion and stated that the people of Eyres Monsell could make a choice to not allow a small minority of people ruin the area. If everyone worked together, than bit by bit, the problems could be tackled.