Representatives of Lancashire Police will report on the priorities for each PACT (Police and Community Together) and any other Community Policing initiatives.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Inspector Ian Roberts to report on the priorities for the local Police and Community Together (PACT) and other community policing initiatives within the central area of Chorley.
The Inspector explained that three years ago Government had set a target to reduce British Crime Survey crimes, which included burgulary, violent crimes, criminal damage and vehicle crime by 15% and he was happy to report that they had achieved this within the first two years.
There was however some concerns that there was a slight increase in high-level crime mainly associated with the carrying and using of weapons on the streets by youths. The Community Team were totally dedicated to dealing with Anti-Social behaviour and the eradication of this trend would be their top priority.
The Inspector also announced that they were shortly to re-launch their ‘Operation Summer Nights 07’ initiative. Organisations across Lancashire have joined together in this campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour, promote personal health and safety and build on the positive behaviour of most young people.
Questions raised at the meeting:
(i) Simon Clark (Environmental Health Manager) asked if there was any statistical information on crimes relating to the carrying of weapons.
Response: Inspector Ian Roberts reported that in a three-month period there had been nine crimes committed that involved weapons and a further twelve youths had been fined for carrying a weapon on the streets.
(ii) Councillor A Gee asked if the crimes had been against strangers or people that they knew?
Response: Inspector Ian Roberts reported that the weapon related crime was usually against people that the assailant knew and that less than 20% of weapon related crime was against strangers.
Donna Hall (Chief Executive) asked Councillors T Brown and H Khan to talk to the Forum about their successful Young Peoples Programme.
The Members explained that local residents in the area had been experiencing a high number of racial attacks and other problems relating to anti-social behaviour. Consulting with the youths concerned and with the help of Local Network funding they were able to deliver a programme of activities that not only incorporated fun, helping to relieve boredom, but also help to deliver educational sessions on racial and behavioural issues and run awareness days on Alcohol and Drug use. The programme is going from strength to strength and with the securing of extra funding there were plans in place for the provision of a Youth Club on Lord Street in the near future.
The responsibility of the parents was just as important and a number of Parental Skills workshops were planned along with joint activities for children and their parents.
The Members reported that there was now a better working relationship with the Police Community Team, there was greater community cohesion and as a result Crime was reducing. They did however add that further funds would be needed and that a commitment for the continued funding of this programme would be needed from Lancashire County Council.
Questions/Issues raised at the meeting:
(i) A member of the public reported that she was still experiencing gang related fights to the rear of Wright Street, Chorley
Response: Councillor T Brown reported that some of the children responsible had just recently been recommended for the programme.
(ii) The Head Teacher of Albany High School asked how much of the crime being committed by the youths is drink related and how do the Police tackle the issue of its accessibility?
Response: Inspector Ian Roberts reported that the majority of anti-social behaviour that was displayed by youths was related to alcohol. The Think 21 project worked with the various shops and off licenses in the area on the accessibility of alcohol to the youngsters but the biggest problem they faced was youths obtaining alcohol by parents buying it for them. The Summer Night Operation 07 would help to re-educate and protect the youths.
(iii) Councillor P Malpas asked if the Police Community Support Officers had the necessary resources/methods to patrol the area extensively, especially taking into account the vast openness of the parks at night?
Response: Inspector Ian Roberts reported that they have various methods of transport to patrol the area with. He also reported that South Ribble Borough Council have installed Infra-red cameras in their parks that produce a good quality of picture capable of identifying from and he intended to look as to whether this would be a possibility for Chorley.
Donna Hall (Chief Executive) stated that there was a high percentage of young women having a shorter life expectancy associated with alcohol related illnesses such as Liver Disease. Ms Hall asked Simon Clark (Environmental Health Officer) to explain some of the work that the Council was doing on Health Awareness.
Mr Clark explained that Chorley Borough Council had appointed an Alcohol Officer to carry out preventative work on drink related issues/habits concerning adults and would be working with the various partner organisations to raise more awareness.