Agenda item

Sergeant Danny Graham, Leicestershire Constabulary, gave the following update on police issues in Thurncourt Ward:-

·           The total number of crimes recorded for the period 1 April – 18 July was 158, which was a reduction from 172 last year.  Of the five Wards covered by the Spinney Hill Park Basic Command Unit, Thurncourt had the lowest number of crimes;

·           The following crimes had been recorded:-

o  42 assaults, one of which was a serious assault, (grievous bodily harm), compared to 45 the previous year;

o  11 burglaries of dwellings, compared to 12 the previous year.  This was a low number;

o  6 burglaries of premises other than dwellings, which was the same number as the previous year.  This was a very low number;

o  25 cases of criminal damage, compared to 17 the previous year;

o  7 thefts from motor vehicles, compared to 11 the previous year;

o  4 thefts of motor vehicles, compared to 6 the previous year;

o  10 cases of anti-social behaviour, compared to 23 the previous year;

·           Incidences of anti-social behaviour had only been recorded for approximately 18 months.  It was recognised that what was defined as anti-social behaviour could be very subjective, (for example, a game of street football could be considered by some people to be anti-social behaviour);

·           Vulnerable Persons Reports were records of people with an inability to look after their own affairs.  For example, a visit to a resident could identify that that person was isolated and needed help in maintaining their property.  Even if the initial visit was about something different, this would be recorded and other agencies sign-posted to that person.  This was particularly prevalent in the Local Policing Unit that included the Thurncourt Ward, with 18.9% of all Vulnerable Person Reports being made in Thurncourt;

·           The Police had received the new mountain bike for which a community grant had been given.  This would be kept at the Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre;

·           During recent weeks, the Police had been working with Harborough District Council and the Police Neighbourhood Team from Market Harborough to stop anti-social behaviour at Scraptoft Hall;

·           An application had been made for a licence to sell alcohol at the Trocadero service station, to which the Police had objected.  However, the concerns raised had been addressed during negotiations with the applicant.  Consequently, the objection had been withdrawn, but the situation would be monitored;

·           An adult male had been legally evicted from Trevose Gardens, after a seizure order had been obtained;

·           An analysis of the levels of hate crime on the City’s outer estates had been done.  Of the eight Wards looked at, levels of hate crime in Thurncourt were the lowest by a significant amount;

·           PC Ben Orton had been nominated as a Beat Officer of the Year, but had been beaten to the title by another nominee; and

·           Every beat needed to have at least one Problem Solving Plan, based on Police crime data and analysis, plus the experience of beat officers and public comments.  There currently were no particular problems on Thurncourt, but two such Plans had been drawn up:-

o  Although the playground in Kirminton Gardens was well used and appreciated by residents, there had been some reports in the past of misuse.  These incidents had been dealt with, but a Plan had been drawn up to acknowledge them; and

o  An initiative to reduce speeding on Thurncourt Road.  Consideration was being given to extending this to Colchester Road;

Any suggestions for future Problem Solving Plans would be welcomed.

Sergeant Graham then explained that various changes were being made to the Neighbourhood Policing Team.  Following a recent review, it had been decided that the Team would lose one of its beat officers, (probably in August 2011).  PC Susan Oakes would be moving to the Stoneygate team and PCSO Jim Edwards would be moving to the Coleman team.  However, the Thurncourt team would be gaining two PCSOs, Jack Thomas and Joe Turner.  Sergeant Graham had voiced concerns about these changes and the situation would be monitored.

Members of the community present at the meeting also expressed concerns about losing a lot of experience from the Ward and having a large number of people new people on the beat team at the same time.  The Chair advised the meeting that she was Chair of the Police Authority, but had not been advised of these changes, so would look in to the situation.