Agenda item

Officers from Leicestershire Constabulary will provide an update on police issues in Thurncourt Ward.

Sergeant Shane O’Neill, Spinney Hill Park LPU Commander, introduced himself to the meeting, advising that he was present to talk about the situation regarding the murder committed in the area during the previous week.

He explained that it was very rare for someone to be killed in the community and the family concerned did not have strong links with the estate.  The incident had been dealt with very quickly, both by the local Police team and by the Major Investigation Team.  Three people were arrested within an hour, two of whom had been charged.  The last Police presence had been removed from Flamborough Road today and there was no cause for concern to the public.  Police officers had been visiting local schools to reassure pupils and give updates on what was happening.

Sergeant O’Neill explained that this was the first opportunity there had been to test the communication system set up to ensure that as many people as possible in the community knew what was happening as soon as possible.  However, some present at the meeting felt that communication with people living in the immediate area could have been better.  Cases also were identified when members of the Key Individual Network did not receive the expected telephone call about the incident.

Sergeant O’Neill recognised that there were gaps in the communication process, but explained that it had been decided not to release any information initially, as the Police were limited in what they could say and limited information could cause more concern than none.  He also asked any Key Individuals who had not received a call to speak to the Police to ensure that all contact details were correct.

The Chair reminded the meeting that it had been agreed at the last Community Meeting that the Ward Councillors would send a letter to the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary to say how valued neighbourhood policing was in communities.  This had been done and a copy of the letter had been sent to Chief Superintendant Rob Nixon.  The Chair read out the letter, a copy of which is attached at the end of these minutes for information.

The Police then gave an update on issues in Thurncourt Ward, drawing particular attention to the following matters:-

·            Despite an overall reduction in crime, there had been an increase in thefts of copper piping and lead (for example, roof flashings).  Of the 17 thefts reported, 15 were metal thefts.  Two people had been arrested and released on bail;

·            There had only been three burglaries in dwellings reported, but it was unclear if they were all burglaries, or whether they related to domestic incidents; and

·            The Police were aware of new people moving on to the estate.

Members of the public raised concerns that no action could be taken over cars that appeared to have been abandoned on residential roads until the tax expired.  The Police explained that they had no power to take any action if the vehicles were taxed and insured and were not parked illegally, or causing a dangerous obstruction.  In cases such as this, members of the public could advise the Police that the vehicles appeared to have been abandoned, so that the Police could keep the situation under review and carry out the vehicle owner checks that were always made when a vehicle appeared to have been abandoned.  Untaxed cars should be reported to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Barbara Whitcombe, Leicester City Council’s City Wardens Team Manager, confirmed that the Council did not have power to remove such vehicles either.

In response to a question, the Police confirmed that the CCTV cameras in the Ward were all working well.  Some problems had been experienced with tree foliage obstructing the field of vision, but this was common in the summer months.