Download 16th November 2011 - Houghton Regis Town Council

Houghton Regis Town Council
Combating Crime Working Group
16th November 2011 at 1.00pm
Present:
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Cllrs
RD Hines
P Carrington
Mrs S Gilchrist
AL Roberts
Chairman
Officer
Jenny Saunders
Acting Deputy Town Clerk
Police
Sgt C Thomas and
Inspector J Hitch
(Sub for Mrs K Ireland)
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from. P Williams & Mrs K Ireland
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SPECIFIC DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
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MINUTES
Resolved:
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To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on the
19th October 2011.
POLICE REPORT
The Police report was circulated to all members present at the meeting.
The crime levels over the last two months have increased by 10.5% criminal damage
and violence against persons has largely responsible for this peak in offences, with
vehicle and theft crime following closely behind. However, the figures remain lower
than the same period 12 months ago.
The main location for crime in the last 3 months remains Houghton Green Service
Station, which has experienced a large number of fuel thefts. The Recreation
Ground, Tithe Farm Rd and Parkside Drive all continue experience high levels of Anti
Social Behaviour. (ASB).
Over the next period the police will be running a specific operation to reduce house
crime. This initiative will not have any financial implications as the force have more
PC’s out working and not station based.
A street watch representative has handed over a list of vehicles that have out of date
tax disc displayed to the Houghton Regis Police Station. Sgt Thomas explained that
this is a matter the DVLA will act on and confirmed that the list has been sent to the
relevant department.
Combating Crime Working Group
2
16th November 2011
A member asked if the drug situation in Recreation Rd area has improved as
residents in this area felt that it was getting worse. Sgt Thomas referred back to the
report where Serious Acquisitive Offences had shown an increase however, the drug
related crime had reduced for this period compared to the same months last year.
The street watch scheme is up and running but they are experiencing difficulty in
recruiting volunteers due to an insurance issue.
On the 13th of December operation vision is being launched where a large number of
Police Cadets and PCSO’s will meet at the Houghton Regis Town Council buildings
to be briefed before setting off to Tithe Farm and Parkside estates to discuss with
residents :
 Crime prevention advice.
 How to protect your vehicle and belongings.
 Promoting the street watch initiative.
A member asked if the Town Council were getting value for money from operation
Hana. In reply to this question Sgt Thomas confirmed that since the operation started
the levels of crimes and anti social behaviour has significantly reduced, this is also
demonstrated in the monthly report. Sgt.Thomas has looked at the local trends and
has put in place a new rota so that the PCSO’s will now operate earlier in the week
where there appeared to be a gap in cover. The Chairman thanked both Sgt Thomas
and Inspector Hitch for the comprehensive report.
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CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE ACTIONS
At the next Town Council Meeting on the 5th December 2011 the Police will discuss
and answer question regarding operation Hana.
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DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Resolved:
To hold the next meeting on Wednesday 14th December 2011
at 1.00pm.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 13:38 pm
Dated this
Chairman
day of
2011