Verbal update of crime statistics and Policing issues in the Area.
Minutes:
PoliceInspectors Gordon Fenwick and Riz Khan were in attendance to report crime statistics and respond to the Committee’s questions. Senior Community Protection Officer Tom Lynk was also present.
Inspector Gordon Fenwick highlighted the following points with regard to Wollaton West Ward for the period of January to February against the same period last year:
(a) overall crime has decreased by 7% with 52 fewer reported incidents;
(b) robberies were down by 55% with four incidents;
(c) residential burglary was down by 19% with 57 incidents;
(d) overall thefts are down by 27%;
(e) there were 12 fewer vehicle offences;
(f) criminal damage is up by 12 offences;
(g) antisocial behaviour is down by 19%;
(h) there’s been a focus on the Eton Grove junction with Woodhall Road on Wollaton Road, with 36 offences identified between 27 February and 3 March 2019 and action taken. The Neighbourhood Action Team have been kept informed;
(i) warrants have been executed on Charlbury Road;
(j) the speed camera is back in action in 20 mile-per-hour areas.
Following the New Zealand attacks, if residents become aware of any community tensions please inform the Police as a matter of urgency. Within the next few weeks there will be an open day at the mosque, the Police are in regular contact with community leaders, but citizens are requested to be vigilant for any racist activity and influences report this to the police. If Officers would welcome the opportunity to attend community events and meetings where possible, to provide a visible presence and also provide the opportunity for citizens to speak informally on topics which may be of concern.
Inspector Riz Khan updated the Committee on the Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey ward crime statistics and activity for the year to date compared to the same period last year, as follows:
(k) for the year-to-date crime statistics, there has been an overall increase in crime by 22% which equates to 123 more offences. Whilst this sounds significant, it should be noted that the Police have has substantial positive outcomes and several arrests have been made;
(l) the overall crime figures also now include stalking and social media harassment which are now recorded as antisocial behaviour;
(m) the has been an increase in violence with injury with seven more incidents;
(n) there is currently a knife amnesty the Police continue with operation screech with high visibility policing and working with shops;
(o) there were seven more robberies committed to bringing the total to 12, but three offenders were detected and one person has been sentenced to prison for three years while two others are currently going through the courts;
(p) there’s be a 20% drop in burglary from 46 to 33 incidences;
(q) there’s been an increase in shop thefts, generally around the Co-op area, but Police are working with Co-op to gain its CCTV in a timely manner to enable culprits to be pursued;
(r) only one more vehicle offence has been committed in this period, this may be due to the deterrent of plainclothes and uniformed Police presence;
(s) domestic violence has increased to 35 offences but 25% of offenders have been identified;
(t) hate crime has increased to 8 offences but two culprits have been detected and prosecuted;
(u) antisocial behaviour is down by 18% to hundred and 39 incidents.
Members of the Committee welcomed the positive achievements of officers, requested that the speed camera focus on Grangewood Road as although there is a 20 mile-per-hour speed limit, it appears that this long straight road attracts speeders but also drivers racing each other.
Councillors commended the work of Police Officers, particularly regarding the added pressures following the significant reduction of Police Officer numbers within the county during the past few years.
It is not year clear if the ward boundary changes will have any impact on local Policing but concerns continue that Police will not be able to meet the challenges put before them. However, it is scheduled new recruits will firstly work with Response Teams before filtering into Neighbourhood Policing.
RESOLVED to thank Police Inspectors Gordon Fenwick and Riz Khan and Senior Community Protection Officer Tom Lynk for their update and attendance.