An update will be given on recent Police developments and successes.
Minutes:
Sergeant Andy Cox of Leicestershire Police gave the following update:
· The Police Service had worked hard through difficult times and had achieved targets, though there was room for improvement.
· At the end of the financial year, there was a 17% reduction in crime across the board, which equated to 1,437 less victims than the previous financial year. This was attributed to better targeting, and identifying trends when they appeared, and crime was reduced year on year. The Police were also working with offenders / potential offenders as prevention was better than cure, and showed in the results.
· Other agencies’ budgets had been reduced, and they were leaning on police services which were being strained, but resources would be used in the right way, and would be targeted at what the public wanted. He added civilian staff were important as without them, front line policing would not be as successful.
· It has been a positive year in the City Centre and in other areas. The Police had made a significant impact in prostitution areas, through targeting users, and working with other agencies to work with the girls.
· Phone snatches were a problem, and the police were offering crime prevention advice.
Residents congratulated the police officers from Mansfield Street Police Station through there positive engagement with youths at the Gower Street youth centre. Sgt. Cox responded it was a difficult to engage with group, who needed to feel part of the community.
A resident said it had been predicted the economy recession would increase crime, but figures were reduced. Sgt. Cox said the Police were better at what they did, in targeting individuals and working with agencies.
A resident asked if the Police believed they had had a greater impact on anti-social behaviour. Sgt. Cox said the Police worked with Leicester City Council Licensing and door staff to ensure premises did not serve excessively drunk people. He said premises could be brought to a Licensing Hearing for a review if necessary. He added radical improvements had been made for the night-time economy over that past 20-years, which used to be concentrated on Churchgate, and now continued to 6.00am in the morning across the city. Sgt. Cox said the Police continued to work with colleagues at Accident & Emergency at LRI, though the majority of people who went out in the city were responsible people. He added that CCTV operators in the city were outstanding at identifying troublesome people, who are ticketed to leave the city centre, or are arrested.
Sgt. Cox said the Police were in early stages of discussion with Councils regarding the late-night levy and the restriction of opening hours following recent consultation, though guidance had not yet been received from Government. He said it was difficult politically, for example, if Nottingham and Derby chose not to introduce a levy but Leicester did, it could see businesses move out of the city.
Sgt. Cox said following the closure of Churchgate to traffic, there was a better harmony, and the dynamics of the area had improved. He said the same principle had been applied to Belvoir Street, and had impacted on businesses in a positive way, and feedback from Police was there had been a positive improvement in the atmosphere and behaviour. He added the Hotel still had access to their car park.
PC Emma Jayne Cox responded to the statement that residents in Clarendon Park had said burglary was on the increase, and provided the following figures for burglaries:
January – 3
February – 8
March – 2 up to present date.
She said two people were arrested directly on the scene and reductions in burglaries had occurred immediately. She added the burglaries had occurred in the daytime when people were at work, and burglars had accessed the properties by smashing in rear windows. She said the properties had alleygates, but not all were used properly. Sgt. Cox informed the meeting that a neighbourhood watch could be set up, and police would offer advice to residents who wished to do so, and could be contacted on the 101 telephone number.
The Chair thanked the Police for their update.