Verbal update from Inspector Wilson, Nottinghamshire Police
Minutes:
Inspector Robert Wilson of Nottinghamshire Police updated the Committee on the following issues:
a) The Police are in the process of acquiring Byron House on Maid Marian Way and officers currently based at Canning Circus Police Station will be moving there at some stage. This will not affect policing in Wollaton. The Police Response Base, currently at Radford Police Station, will not move.
b) Across the whole area there has been an 5% increase in crime between April and November when compared to the same period last year. Dwelling burglary has decreased but thefts from sheds and garages, and particularly bike theft, has increased. The Police have been encouraging people to secure their sheds and garages.
Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey
c) There has been a small increase (4%) in crime when compared to last year. Since the last update the Police have made a significant arrest of a resident. No charge was brought but offences reduced significantly. The same individual was then arrested in connection with a burglary in Lenton. He was charged and has been remanded in custody.
d) Thefts from sheds and garages have decreased but bike thefts have increased. Policing activity has focused on tackling this through catching people in the act, the use of capture bikes, CCTV and challenging people found with tools such as bolt cutters without good reason who can be arrested for the offence of Going Equipped to Steal.
Wollaton West
e) Thefts from sheds and garages and theft from vehicles have both increased significantly when compared to last year. This is partly down to the number of bike thefts in the area and work has been done to encourage residents to secure their bikes. More officers have been deployed in Wollaton overnight and those overnight patrols have resulted in some arrests.
f) A joint initiative between the Police, Police Community Support Officers, Community Protection and Neighbourhood Management has been taken to mail crime prevention leaflets to all other addresses on a street when a theft of a vehicle or burglary occurs.
g) Home burglaries have decreased by 5 (10%), theft of vehicles has reduced by 8 (60%) and capture cars have been deployed. Crime prevention roadshows have taken place at Bramcote Lane and Middleton Boulevard shops and more dates are planned in the run up to Christmas.
In response to questions from the committee and others present, Inspector Wilson provided the following comments:
h) Around 50% of thefts from vehicles were from unlocked vehicles while, with the remainder, windows are broken or locks forced to gain access to the vehicle. It is possible that devices have been used to trigger the electronic door unlock signal on car key fobs and Inspector Wilson agreed to find out if measures could be taken to block this. Residents are advised to keep their car in a garage if possible and to hide their car keys to reduce the risk of their vehicles being taken.
i) Lighting in the area is not of concern to the Police who are happy with the level of street lighting. The new lighting doesn’t disperse light in the same way as the replaced lights and residents may need some time to get used to this.
j) Inspector Wilson agreed to look into reports of a gang of four people causing concern in the area after dark.
RESOLVED to thank Inspector Wilson for his update.