Meeting at a glance
The meeting covered the Panel's local community-safety priorities and other matters raised by residents, police and partners.
RobberyVehicle crimeAnti-social behaviourVAWGCrash-for-cash
Robbery
- 6 arrests had been made on Furzedown ward since the last meeting. Most perpetrators were coming from outside Furzedown.
- The SNT were targeting specific areas where robberies were occurring and known criminals live.
- LC reported that children/youth with balaclavas were targeting children with mobile phones on the path by the athletics track. Police team advised that this area was being watched by police more, for this reason as well as because of VAWG.
- Questions to police: DC – do police have access to cameras (on Blegborough Road/Leverson Street junction)? Police confirmed they do.
- TH asked about the best way to communicate with the police following the introduction of Met Engage. Nick (new PCSO) and Waleed (new schools officer) would be trained on Met Engage, but this would take a little time for them to get up to speed. Residents could still contact Andre via WhatsApp. Regarding leafleting local residents, SC asked if the Furzedown Project were given leaflets to pass to older people?
Action: The SNT would follow up on this.
- Question from police: did residents want more uniform patrols or plainclothes officers? There was a feeling that both were necessary and both had their pros and cons, but on the whole people wanted perpetrators caught rather than just moved away from our area.
Action: an intelligence led plan would be developed.
- Regarding the church break-ins, a person had been arrested and there had been no further incidents.
Vehicle crime
- This remained the biggest issue on Furzedown ward, although numbers were down. Thefts of motor vehicles are more difficult to tackle than thefts from motor vehicles. The latter offences were being done by a small number of criminals who would be targeted using ‘baited’ vehicles.
Anti-social behaviour
- Police were aware of a couple of groups of people gathering in particular areas with issues of drink and drugs – action was being taken on this. SNT were also targeting beggars, either moving them on or getting them relevant help.
- Residents reported an issue with drugs selling from the rear of a property on Westcote Road, in the alley near Rackham Mews. Other issues in the alley included flytipping. Andre asked for details after the meeting.
- The police were aware of issues around the Furzedown pub and were looking into it.
Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG)
- Most incidents were still domestic related (and so not for the SNT to investigate), but the SNT are targeting those areas where incidents have occurred that are not domestic related. PC Cressida Wilson (VAWG lead for the area) would be doing a ‘walk and talk’ where people can raise issues. Women should feel free to approach her, or Kristina Poole (sergeant).
- A point about delivery scooters/electric bikes using the path by the athletics track and going very fast was raised, in the context of women and girls feeling unsafe on that path. AS advised that Nick (PCSO) was able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for cycling on pavements.
Any Other Business
- Eardley Road/Leverson Street junction: it was reported that the signage wasn’t clear – ie the sign didn’t have a bar through it to make clear that cycling was not allowed. It had been said by the council that they needed to follow TfL standards on this. LC disputed this and would take this up with council officials. Police reported that penalty notices had been issued to motorbikes for infringements there.
- Parcel theft: police expressed frustration that the same people were being arrested again and again for this crime. If the case is prosecuted, it typically means 2 weeks in prison and then they are out again.
- Crash for cash: some frightening incidents were reported where perpetrators caused damage to a vehicle even when they knew the scam wouldn’t work. The issue continued to be dealt with by City police. A question was raised about whether the riders should have a full licence rather than provisional and ‘L’ plates. Police advised that though it was frustrating, they are entitled to ride on ‘L’ plates and not have somebody accompanying them. The advice was to get a dashcam and report to the police as soon as possible.
- Upcoming events: 13th June, 12-4pm – FCN Funday on the recreation ground. It would be good for the police to have a stall, or at least a presence, there.
Source: the meeting-minutes document supplied to the Furzedown Safer Neighbourhood Panel website. The source document does not state a separate draft/approved status, so this page labels it simply as published meeting minutes.