LPU Commander's Report
26th August 2010, Insp Chris Brown
ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The Safer Summer campaign continues and we have had some real success with officers who have been dedicated with dealing with ASB during this campaign. As I commented on the previous report, they have been working in the Ashby, Measham, Coalville, Whitwick and Castle Donington areas on ASB issues from the car cruise at Castle Donington to street drinking, litter and inappropriate behaviour. We have and will continue to have a robust approach ranging from a verbal warning for very low level issues through to warning letters and enforcement. The reports that we have been receiving in the areas mentioned above have reduced as well as the behaviour of people. Continuing my explanation of antisocial behaviour please find below two more categories.
Drug Related
This probably doesn't take much explanation but these reports revolve around drugs legal and otherwise in public or private places where members of the public feel that the behaviour of drug taking or the behaviour as a result of drugs is inappropriate. I am pleased to say that this does not form a significant number of reports on North West and I am sure that on a number of occasions it is, in fact, reported as rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour. This is one area where it is not important which category it comes under but it is essential that these incidents are reported to us in order for us to direct staff in patrolling those areas or dealing with a drug issue. Dealing with reports revolving around drugs can take a number of forms from intelligence gathering through to arrests. I mention this because I am sure some of you will expect an immediate response when in fact gathering intelligence to obtain warrants is an essential part of our business.
Litter and Drug Paraphernalia
This category really does speak for itself. We see litter in our streets today and I am sure like me you get very frustrated when there are a number of litter bins around and people choose to throw it down or even out of the window of a car. Drug paraphernalia is also termed litter where syringes and needles are discarded carelessly. It is important to report these finds to the police or the council in order for us to ensure that they are cleaned up before injury is caused and make attempts to prevent further similar items being discarded.
CRIME
Crime on North West continues to fall and to date we are still achieving a 14% reduction in overall crime across the district.
Burglary - Last year we achieved a 24% reduction in burglaries, however, this year we are not doing quite as well as in some areas within the district we have seen an increase. If you look on the crime mapping this month the Coalville and Valley wards have seen an increase in the number of burglaries. I am encouraged by the fact that we have made a number of arrests as a result of these offences. Burglary in the other areas shows a reduction. Please remain vigilant and help us to achieve a further reduction on last years good figures.
Vehicle Crime - We continue to see a reduction in vehicle crime on North West on year to date figures but I still see slight increases in our main towns of Ashby and Coalville. I constantly remind people leaving items on show is the main reason their vehicles are being broken into but we continue to do it, resulting in opportunists committing crime. Again, over the last 2 months we have had some excellent results arresting those responsible and putting them before the courts and our detection figures are excellent this year. I hope with your help we can continue to maintain the reductions as well as the arrests.
Robbery - I hesitate to comment on robberies because during the year we have so few, so that when you look on the crime charts one robbery can show as 100% increase and, in fact, often does. We have had one or two robberies, some detected. The good news is that they are of a more minor nature but we still treat these seriously.
I am very much aware that if you are reading this you are interested in what is going on in your area on North West. I would like to say that I have a very excited and enjoyable job and I would love to share things with you, obviously I cannot include specific details. Please feel free to contact me via this website and let me have your views and ideas for example would you like to see more subjects covered in my report or should it be more like a blog. I look forward to hearing from you.
