30th October 2009
Insp Jon Brown
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those of you who have completed one of our neighbourhood questionnaires, this gives you the opportunity to shape the priorities in your area. If you have not taken the chance to complete a questionnaire you can fill one in on line, on this website or better still why not attend one of our organised monthly meetings and speak to your local neighbourhood team. The dates for these meetings are available on the website.
We have had a positive response to the campaign run by Blaby officers to tackle parking issues outside local schools when they returned after the summer holidays and will be running a similar campaign in the near future.
At the moment we are preparing for Bonfire night and Halloween and there are posters and leaflets available from your local officers. I am very pleased to say that the Police, Fire Service and District Council are working hard to make this a safe and enjoyable celebration for all.
During October we are running a number of crime prevention road shows in conjunction with Blaby District Council with the main theme being around home security.
I am working closely with Blaby District Council to tackle the root causes of problems across the district and to that end I am relocating staff to work from the Council Head Quarters in coming weeks. This will again improve the service that the Community Safety Team can offer.
I have attended a number of Parish meetings in the last few months which I will continue to do, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the great work they do on behalf of the communities they serve.
At the Joint Action Group meeting this month we discussed the launch of "SmartWater". SmartWater is a clear liquid solution which carries a unique forensic code and is even stronger and more accurate than DNA. Simply apply SmartWater to the nooks and crannies of your belongings and it is virtually impossible to remove completely. SmartWater works because criminals won't touch property that has been "SmartWatered". The solution glows yellow under ultra violet light, with only a tiny speck needed to identify your unique code. This means that property can instantly be identified if stolen. Your unique SmartWater identification number will be maintained on a National Security Register.
Another item which was discussed was the County Arms public House and the recently reported incidents of children playing on the building and the obvious safety implications. Since the Joint Action Group Meeting there has been a site meeting where it was agreed that the brewery who own the site will sitex, which will improve the security of the building itself by restricting access, the brewery will also ensure that twice weekly inspections are carried out. The police will also maintain a watchful eye of the site and respond to any future reports.
Looking at the crime mapping data this month there are a few areas which are shown as above average.
Burglary: Ellis Ward and Winstanley Ward have markers for above average. This is why you may have noticed an increased police presence in these areas. Also we will be launching SmartWater on Larch Grove, in early November which will assist with crime prevention in relation to burglaries. The third ward with above average figures is Forest Ward but this has seen a decrease in reports but still has above average figures. Tackling burglary remains one of the priorities for us.
Vehicle crime: There are 5 Wards with above average or high markers for vehicle crime. We have noted that vehicles with tools in them is a particular target so I would like to encourage anybody who has a vehicle with tools in that if possible secure the tools away from the vehicle when it is left unattended.
ASB: There is only Winstanley Ward which has a marker for high figures in relation to anti social behaviour. In unison with our partners at the Blaby District Council Community Safety Team we already do a lot of work in relation to identifying and tackling anti social behaviour and we are currently reviewing our current practices to identify any areas we can improve in. There is a designated ASB patrol on a Friday and Saturday evening sent out from the station so any information you have relating to ASB please pass onto your neighbourhood officers.
Then finally the Enderby and St Johns Ward have a marker for high in relation to all crime. Can I please assure you that this actually relates to a figure of minus 36. This reflects the hard work and efforts of the neighbourhood team and the local community in dealing with crime in the area and should not be viewed as an area of concern.
Kind regards Insp Jon Brown
