News : North Devon Insight

Hi Everyone

Firstly, I would just like to wish you all a Happy New Year.
Not In My Neighbourhood Week - 06/11/2009
Between the 2nd November and the 6th November a Police initiative named “Not In My Neighbourhood Week” was run throughout the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary. This involved Police Officers and Police Community Support Officer's from the Neighbourhood Beat Teams running different projects, within their areas.

On Thursday 5th November PC Tim Quick, PCSO’S Charles, Meaker & Barrett in conjunction with both staff and pupils from Sticklepath Community School as well as Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ran a speed enforcement initiative in the Woodville area around the school.

The idea was to have two speeding devices located one at each end of the approach roads leading towards the school and to measure the speed of the motorists as they approached. The speed limit in the area is a mandatory 30mph. However the aim of the project was to stop any motorists who were travelling in excess of 20mph as the approached the school, and to let one of the pupils in company with an officer, speak with the driver and to hand them a road safety poster that they had designed and made themselves. The officers also took the opportunity at that time to offer advice as required to the motorist.

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue where on hand to show both motorists and pupils alike several roads related video clips and to also give advise.

Two sessions where held, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Although the weather lived up to its normal reputation and rained, the pupils and staff entered into the initiative with plenty of enthusiasm.

I am pleased to say that no motorists were seen to be speeding and those that were spoken to by the children, listened to what they had to say and were equally positive towards the initiative.

In relation to the Parking and Speeding initiative in the Sticklepath area, unfortunately at the time of writing this report I am not able to release the final figures but I hope to do so in my next monthly article.

In the meantime here are the latest figures:

Throughout the first three weeks we have carried out foot patrols in all the named areas. Some of these patrols have been in conjunction with Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO) as well as Staff members from Petroc College.
Six warning notices have been placed on offending vehicles, plus the College has handed two Police Warning letters in person, to two students who caused a partial obstruction in Shorelands Road. I have been advised that the CEO's have issued several FPN's to vehicles that have contravened the No waiting Restrictions.

Also since the start of the initiative, 12 motorists have been spoken to in regards to their speed and the manner of their driving.

After having had several discussions with some of the local residents in the area, it has been agreed with these residents for them to write to their local councillor, with a view to holding a "Street Meeting" with the Residents, Councillors, Highway Agencies & ourselves to discuss such options as Yellow Lines and Resident Only Parking.
At present I have not heard back from either the residents or the councillors.

In the past week unfortunately there has been 5 reported incidents involving a group of youths drinking alcohol. Most of which are over the legal age for drinking alcohol.
One of these incidents involved criminal damage being caused to a vehicle. Another report was of a group seen at 3pm on the 23.11.09 drinking alcohol in the underpass nearest to the Cedars Roundabout.
In most of these cases those who are drinking are then smashing their bottles and leaving the area littered with glass, which is causing a lot of distress for the local residents, children and pets alike.

We have now made this a PACT PRIORITY and have increased our patrols in the area.

We would ask that any resident who witnesses alcohol been drunk in the underpass or any form of ASB to contact the Police giving as much detail as is possible. We have also spoken to the local off licence's in the area with regards to selling alcohol to anybody who is under the legal age or who they suspect will either sell or give to those who are under the legal age limit.

Recently an off licence in the town has had its Alcohol Licence revoked. Anybody who is caught acting in an Anti Social manner will be dealt with either via the ASB escalation process or will be charged with any relevant offences

Now for something completely different!

Please find below details of a recently released article to the media.
Good news for Northern Devon policing. (vast geographic area with 150,000 to 160,000 resident population and having been through the summer with visiting tourists) etc. (April to Sept figs):-
Customer Satisfaction in Burglary Dwelling; Violent Crime; Vehicle Crime & RTC (overall experience)
88.3% - BEST IN FORCE

Customer Satisfaction in Anti Social Behaviour (overall experience)
84.4% - 2nd BEST IN FORCE

Sanction Detection’s
33% - HIGHEST IN DEVON & 3rd BEST IN FORCE

Recorded Crime (April - Sept 2009)
14% reduction in total crime - nearly 1000 fewer victims of crime
25% reduction in Criminal Damage - 366 fewer victims
15% reduction in serious acquisitive crime - 90 fewer victims
10% reduction in violent crime - 125 fewer victims
8% reduction in vehicle crime - only 368 crimes in 32 weeks

Policing Pledge
- Immediate Response Incidents 2979 - 81% in 20 minutes (Better than Force average)
- Prompt Response Incidents 4087 - 76% in 60 minutes (Better than Force average)
and best of all the April - Sept figures for-
"Public Confidence in Police and Local Authority dealing with Anti Social Behaviour issues which matter to them" have us moving closer to the 84% target and - SECOND IN FORCE by a whisker!

Regards

Tony

LOCAL POLICE SURGERIES:
Roundswell: The last Tuesday of each month and is held in the Roundswell Community Centre (around the corner from the main entrance) from 10.30 –11.30am
Woodville: The second Tuesday of each month and is held in the Children’s Centre (which is located in the grounds of Sticklepath Community School) from 2 – 3.15 pm

PC 14294 PC Tim Quick
PCSO 30093 Tony Charles
Contact Telephone Number: 08452777444
Barnstaple Neighbourhood Beat Office

Email addresses:

Timothy QUICK@devonandcorwall.pnn.police.uk
Terry.HODGSON@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Anthony.CHARLES2@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Jessica.MEAKER@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

'If you have been a victim of crime and would like assistance, please contact Victim Support on 0845 676 10 20

A friendly message from your Neighbourhood Beat Team for Whiddon Valley, Landkey, Bishops Tawton & Swimbridge.

PACT MEETING (partners & communities together) for Swimbridge & Landkey

Saturday February 6th from 10am - 1pm

PC Glyn Clark & PCSO Hannah Denton would like to invite all local residents to the forthcoming PACT meeting. It will be in the "Jubilee Hall" in Swimbridge in conjunction with other agencies such as the Country Mile Project and local councillors.

Crime prevention advice such as "Property Marking" will be available as well as advice on Community Messaging, Neighbourhood Watch, Country Watch & Horse Watch.

This is your opportunity to come along and have your say, whether it is with your local police team or a local councillor. Remember if you don't speak up to the various agencies then they may not be aware of an issue that they can help with.

VEHICLE CRIME
As many of you are aware there has recently been a rise in vehicle interference in the area. Barton Road in Whiddon Valley has now become the victim on two separate nights in the past three months. The incidents are not related & the court has dealt with the offenders for the offences that occurred in August. The most recent spate happened over night on the 18th November when four vehicles were broken into, as well as further reports throughout Barnstaple. Police investigation is ongoing.
If possible leave your vehicle in a well-lit area
Do not leave any items on display eg. Satellite navigation, iPod, mobile phones or keys.
In your home, do not leave any vehicle keys on display or near to the front door of your property.
Mark your property, it is a great way to deter thieves from stealing.

Yes, the average number of crimes in this area has increased from 7.7 to 9 (17.4%). BUT remember that North Devon is still one of the safest places in the UK to live. Remember that one of the reasons it has increased is that more people are in contact with their Neighbourhood Police Team.
Vehicles have been damaged where the offender tried to get in the vehicles as well as personal  belongings being stolen from them. Although we do not want you to be alarmed by this we would like to you to read the advice below.
PACT TEAM
(partners & communities together)

The PACT Team is made up of five police officers & one Sergeant. The team assists various police departments with any key issues.They assist the Neighbourhood Police Team by spending time at the "PACT Priorities" that have been pointed out by you, the public. Therefore the team have spent time in Barton Road as well as areas such as Westacott Play Area to tackle any anti social behaviour when PC Clark & PCSO Denton are not on duty.

PC Glyn Clark & PCSO Hannah Denton would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 2010.

For further information please use our contact details or visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk

 
Or contact PCSO Hannah Denton if you would like any further crime prevention advice.

email:
glyn.clark@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
email:
hannah.denton@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

General Enquiries, to report a crime & for information & advice 08452 777444

Crime Stoppers 0800 555111
EMERGENCY 999