Crime Reduction - Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD AT CHORLEYWOOD PARISH COUNCIL OFFICE AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY 30 TH APRIL 2007

PRESENT AND APOLOGIES

PRESENT:

Chairman: Yvonne Merritt Clerk, CW Parish Council

Cllr Max Green Chairman, (CWPC), Cllr Barbara Green (Chorleywood Parish Council), Cllr Richard Booth (Chorleywood Parish Council), Cllr Peter Kemp (Chorleywood Parish Council), Cllr Rodney Kipps (Chorleywood Parish Council), Joyce Bishop (Chorleywood House Estate Partnership), John Sheldon (Neighbourhood Watch), Rosemary Vickery (Neighbourhood Watch), Nicki Angell PCSO 6581

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from:

Cllr Jackie Worrall (Chorleywood Parish Council)

Cllr Leonard Spencer District Councillor

Jackie Hale Chorleywood House Estate Partnership

• MINUTES OF THE MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 2 nd October 2006, were accepted as a true and correct record and duly signed by the Chairman.

• MATTERS ARISING

Graffiti in the area appeared to still be a problem. Joyce Bishop requested a higher police presence in the Chorleywood House grounds.

PCSO Angell advised that all reported graffiti was photographed, recorded and kept to provide a basic profile. However, all rude or racist graffiti was removed quickly by TRDC.

John Sheldon advised that the mobile police station would now visit every four weeks alternating between Monday and Wednesday. The station would be located outside the library.

• CRIME STATISTICS UPDATE

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The crime statistics were reported by PCSO Angell and are attached in appendix 1.

The West Herts against crime initiative, funded by the Government, Herts Police and TRDC was working well. The benefits to the elderly and vulnerable included home visits from specialists giving advice and security. Spy holes, door chains, security bolts, door and window locks could all be provided and fitted free of charge.

Garden sheds and garages could be included in the survey. Further information can be sought from Gary Sibson, Crime Reduction Officer – Tel: 472020.

Overall, the crime figures were reduced by 37.28% for Chorleywood West and 25.7% for Chorleywood East.

It was believed that crime was down due to the PCSO as well as the drink exclusion zone and the feedback of information from Neighbourhood Watch.

John Sheldon stated that the crime figures were the best he had known. He stated that the mobile police unit and CCTV all helped.

• POLICE COMMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER - THE ROLE OF THE PCSO WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

PCSO Nicki Angell advised the meeting that the principle role of the PCSO was Community Support. PCSO’s had the time and resources to support issues relating to local individual areas. PCSO’s were the eyes and ears who could call the police once crime happened when touring the neighbourhood they were able to offer advice on security and also to deal with the youth and anti-social problems.

PCSO’s have high visibility spending 80% of their time out on the street. They have the opportunity to stop and talk.

Blue signs have been put in shops with the name and contact details of PCSO’s. The PCSO’s will also be involved in school projects – talking to Reception up to Year 6 children.

As the nights get lighter the PCSO’s will patrol the Common to try and stop anti-social behaviour. The PCSO’s have good liaisons with the British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police who could share intelligence about visiting youths.

The Members then put questions to PCSO Angell about specific issues and all Members agreed that the PCSO’s are an asset to the community.

• MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST

John Sheldon advised that there were 2,500 houses in Chorleywood West and that 2,200 houses were in the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Members are encouraged to report situations and give information to crime stoppers getting the Community to help each other.

Cllr Rodney Kipps advised that Herts County Council had stopped the funding for a youth leader at the Youth Club. Whilst the Club was being kept open by volunteers, the Committee were trying to obtain funding to get another Youth Leader who could occupy the children and thereby keep them off the streets.

The Chairman, Yvonne Merritt concluded by advising she would write to the Police to request that they have the mobile unit on a Wednesday only to avoid confusion with the Public. She also thanked PCSO Angell for attending and stated that it was encouraging that the crime figures were down by such a large margin.

7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was agreed as 8 th October 2007. John Sheldon agreed that he would be prepared to discuss with the group the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch, and what the job of co-ordinator entailed.

8. CLOSURE

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked the attendees and the meeting closed at 8.58pm.