CHARNWOOD LOCAL POLICING UPDATE: 8th February 2012
8th February 2012, Insp Duncan Southall
CHARNWOOD LOCAL POLICING UNIT UPDATE: 8th February 2012
Welcome to the latest update on what has been happening at Charnwood Local Policing Unit (LPU) as at 8th February 2012. Latest results on overall crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) continue to show a decrease from last year but we have experienced a significant increase in Burglary Dwelling.
LPU Crime Overview: In terms of performance, all crime (per the British Crime Survey - BCS) is down 8.1% (318 less offences than the previous year), Serious Acquisitive Crime (Burglary, Robbery, Auto Crime) was down by 2.1% from last year (14 fewer victims and offences). All Vehicle Crime is down by 11.6% (or 44 less offences against last year's figures) with a 7.1% reduction in Theft from Motor Vehicle (19 less victims and offences). Theft of Motor Vehicle is down 22.9% on last year (25 less victims and offences). All Burglaries were down by 10.6% but Burglary Dwelling has gone up 11.2% (some 31 more offences from last year). This is now the main focus for the LPU. Criminal Damage has seen a 6.1% decrease (66 less offences) and Violence against the person has gone down 6.5% (50 less offences than last year)
Burglary Dwelling: As stated above, reducing Burglary Dwelling is the main focus for the LPU. Since January 1st we have seen 56 Burglaries (Dwellings) compared to 20 in the previous year. Whilst there is no specific, single way in which these have been committed, 6 of these have involved criminals breaking into houses and stealing property, including car keys and the owners cars. Many of these vehicles have been high value/prestige vehicles. The offences have occurred across the LPU but with the larger villages of Rothley, Barrow, Sileby Mountsorrel, Quorn, Thurcaston and, in particular, Birstall being targeted.
Our response to this has been to target these locations using a combination of marked/unmarked cars and uniformed and plain clothes officers. Significant additional Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) vehicles have been deployed (capable of identifying stolen vehicles displaying their original number plates AND number plates stolen from other vehicles in an attempt to pass them off as legitimate vehicles). The results so far have been some 26 persons arrested on suspicion of Burglary in the Charnwood Area. We are working closely with our colleagues both in the City and surrounding areas to identify those responsible and have deployed additional assets from the Roads Policing Unit and the Tactical Support Group to combat these offences.
Burglary is one of the most pernicious offences we deal with and the effect on victims can be devastating. Whilst there is no one single thing that you can do to avoid being a victim there are a number of simple measures that will significantly reduce the likelihood. Many of the properties we attend have house alarms which have not been set (both when away and when at home). Several unsuccessful attempts have been disrupted by an alarm being activated - please set your alarms if you have one fitted. Likewise, lots of properties have had keys left in the doors allowing criminals to break a window and gain access easily. The security and location of house keys as well as vehicle keys should be considered (somewhere you can find them but potential intruders can't). Leaving lights and radios on is also a worthwhile deterrent and ensuring your property is always secure (both when at home and away) goes without saying.
Any valuable and easily disposable property should be marked (either with UV pens or SMART WATER) and the serial numbers recorded. Crime prevention advice and security items (such as the above) can be obtained by contacting us on any of the communication methods cited below. Many high value electrical items (I-pads, Laptops, I-phones and Android Phones) have 'on-board' tracking software pre-loaded which just needs the user to activate it. This simple measure has already led to the arrest and charging of offenders on the LPU. If you have it, please use it, it costs nothing and works! Most important of all is reporting the suspicious immediately to us either on 999 (if you think a crime is occurring) or 101 if you have any other information. Please be assured that we are taking all reasonable steps and actions to identify and bring to justice those responsible.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): On a brighter note, the ASB figures from April 2011 to January 2012 show a 24.7% reduction in reported ASB. This equates to 517 less incidents reported to the Police compared to last year. There remain 'hotspots' which are addressed by my Neighbourhood Teams and Response Officers. Operation Eject continues to run on Friday and Saturday nights with dedicated Neighbourhood Officers, PCSOs and Special Constables visiting identified hotspots. We continue to work very closely with our Partners (Charnwood Borough Council, Parish Councils and the Public) to address ASB issues. Please keep reporting incidents to us, as we cannot address problems if we do not know about them.
Neighbourhood Policing Update: All of my Neighbourhood Teams are now located in community based Offices and I cannot thank those who have provided accommodation for them enough. This has meant that your local Neighbourhood Teams are located in the heart of your communities, increasing access and visibility. This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the Police and the communities we serve work closely together for the greater good.
Social Media/Live Updates: The LPU has a dedicated Facebook Page and Twitter account used primarily by my Beat Teams. If you want to see what the LPU and the Neighbourhood Teams are doing either go direct Facebook (www.facebook.com ) and type in Charnwood Police or go to the Force website (www.leics.police.uk) and follow the Facebook link at the bottom of the page (likewise with Twitter). Our Twitter account is (www.twitter@charnwoodlpu).
Charnwood LPU Joint Action Group (JAG). The Charnwood 'All Crime Joint Action Group' continues to meet on a monthly basis, consisting of statutory and voluntary partners (including Charnwood Borough Council, the Fire and Rescue Service, Women's Aid, Probation and Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing). We are focused on the individuals who pose the biggest threat to your communities in terms of crime. Information is effectively shared and actions agreed in a confidential environment with key stakeholders. The existing Beat meetings (advertised on the Force Website www.leics.police.uk ) form the basis for the raising and solving of locally based problems with the majority being part of existing Parish Council meetings under policing matters. A similar ASB JAG is also run monthly, concentrating on individuals and locations where ASB is an issue.
Consultation - The latest Neighbourhood Newsletters are available on the Force website www.leics.police.uk. Each one of these is a result of detailed consultation by your local Neighbourhood Teams via a series of advertised consultation events (again on the website and via public notice boards). The Neighbourhood Policing Teams also regularly attend Parish Council meetings and other public meeting (such as area forums). I am really keen to hear people's views and concerns as this is critical in enabling us to address what matters to the communities - if you cannot attend any of the publicised events, I would encourage you to contact us directly via e-mail Charnwood.lpu@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk or telephone (101).
Contacting Us: New '101' Non- Emergency Number: This is now established both locally and nationally. The 101 number gives you one easy way to contact Leicestershire Police to report less urgent crime and disorder or to speak to your local officers. It was introduced as part of the Government's wider work to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 and help the police efficiently and effectively tackle crime and disorder.
The new 101 number relates to police non-emergency issues and replaces the 01162 222 222 number. The benefits are:
- An easy to-remember number to contact every police force inEngland and Wales (which will by default put you through to your local Police).
- There is a single flat rate charge (15p from landlines and mobiles for the WHOLE call as opposed to 10p a minute with the old system - Note: most calls exceed 1 minute in duration thus effectively making it cheaper).
- The cost of the call is transparent, and in many cases cheaper than current non-emergency numbers.
- 101 can potentially reduce pressure on the 999 system.
- All 43 Chief Constables have agreed to adopt 101 making it a truly National system whilst maintaining the local accountability and contact for the public.
Summary: Overall, total Crime and ASB continues to reduce with the exception of Burglary Dwelling. As stated above, the reduction of Burglary Dwelling will remain the focus of the LPU for the foreseeable future. Please continue to watch out for yourselves, your property and your neighbour's property and call us if you see anything suspicious or become the victim of crime or ASB.
Duncan Southall
Inspector
Charnwood Local Policing Unit
