Policing Southampton Partnership briefing

September 2019 Southampton is a vibrant, busy city that we are all proud to protect and serve. This newsletter is for our trusted partners with the aim to bring you closer to the teams and the people that identify risk, tackle offenders and protect those who most need our help. We will list the challenges we are facing, the problems we are solving, and opportunities to work together. Operation Sceptre We took part in Operation Sceptre which was a national week of action that ran from September 16 to 22. In Southampton we demonstrated our commitment through several engagement events, proactive patrols, visits to parents of young people thought be carrying knives, and we conducted knife sweeps. In Shirley, a PCSO hosted a live, two hours engagement session on Twitter and the team carried out a test purchase operation in four retail outlets. All shops passed which is great news.

Through our focus on high harm, we stopped and searched a man who was in possession of an axe and he was charged. We also ar- rested a man after he was reported to be making threats towards his ex partner with a knife. Most notably, a man was reported to have committed three knife point robberies in the centre of Southampton, he was quickly arrested, charged and remanded.

For us to be able try and influence young people and prevent the next generation from carrying knives, we produced a campaign via the Police Apprentice Scheme in partnership with schools and the Saints Foundation and asked children come up with an idea that they thought would make their peers aged 9 to 14 think twice about choosing to carry a knife. A group of teenagers from St Georges Catholic School were the winners and came up with a rap called #NeverChooseKnives. A social media influencer called Zuby helped them perfect the lyrics and music video. The film was released to schools as part of the Safe4Me package and Zuby pushed it out across social media. If you haven’t see it yet, please take a look.

Investigation updates It has been really busy this September. Below are the updates from the most significant investi- gations in Southampton. If there are any we have not included that you would like an update on, or have any questions about, please contact philp.lamb@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.

Operation Haselmere: Fatal assault in Spear Road We are investigating an incident where a 28-year-old woman was fatally assaulted at her home on Spear Road on September 21. A man was arrested on suspicion of her murder and is currently in hospital receiving treatment for injuries he may have suffered during the incident. The woman, who has since been named, died of multiple stab wounds. We believe the community may have drawn the conclu- sion that this incident was drug related. We can confirm that it was not, although both parties were known each other. Enquiries are ongoing and we will interview the man once he is well enough. The woman's family is being supported by specialist officers and you will know there has been a police presence in Spear Road since the incident happened.

Operation Telly: Incidents in River walk and Riverside Park We continue to investigate the reports of gunfire, cannabis cultivation and the death of 20-year-old Sol Hemy that occurred in the early hours of September 5. This was a huge policing effort in terms of patrols and engagement and managing the large police scenes to allow for a thorough investigation by detectives and CSIs. We have arrested one man on suspicion of murder and continue to try and identify others involved in the incident. At this time, Sol’s death remains unexplained. We have confirmed that Sol was not shot. In the days that followed this incident, there was a fire at a home on Ripstone Gardens. This address was also being used for cannabis cultivation. We are not di- rectly linking the incidents but we are open minded about them being connected and are looking into what we know about cannabis cultivation in the city and how this might be linked to harm.

Stabbing in Thornhill We are investigating a robbery after an 18-year-old man was approached by a group of young men on Hannay Rise at 9.48pm on Tuesday 17 September. The man was stabbed in the back of the leg and had his bag stolen. The man entered KFC in Antelope Park shortly after the incident and alerted staff there. His injuries were minor and he does not support a police investigation. This was a targeted attack between two groups known to each other. In response to this, we have visited those be- lieved to be involved and warned them about the dangers of knives. Officers from the Southamp- ton East Neighbourhood Policing Team went to Hannay Rise to speak to residents and ensure they felt reassured that the incident was isolated and that we were managing those involved best we could. We also considered authorisation a section 60, enhancing our stop and search pow- ers, however the engagement work that went into this straight after the attack meant that was no required.

Regents Park Community College We responded to a report of a pupil having attacked another pupil at Regents Park Community College on Friday 13 September. A teenage girl sustained inju- ries to her neck during this incident and was taken to hospital for treatment. A 14- year-old boy from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been bailed with conditions until October 11. We have worked with, and continue to work alongside the school to ensure all involved are supported. Chief In- spector Phil Lamb sent a letter to schools and dedicated safeguarding leads after this incident outlining support, advice and multi-agency approaches to keep children safe. The letter also in- cluded timely, start of term reminders, not only about knife crime, but also education about send- ing nudes and supporting victims of hate crime.

This month we have seen two men jailed for a combined 17 years for rob- beries, Chorley Laxton jailed for aggra- vated vehicle taking following burgla- Check out our Twitter pages to ries where cars were stolen and three keep up to date. For Central, East teenage boys aged 14 and 15-years- and North Teams go to old pleaded guilty to a combined 17 @SouthamptonCops. robberies in Southampton city centre in 2018. The boys For the West of the city, follow would surround victims and threaten to stab them. They @ShirleyPolice were given youth rehabilitation orders and a 16 week curfew.

Don’t forget about the Community Partnership Information (CPI) process

As trusted partners we would like to remind you what the form is used for. In its simplest form the aim of the CPI is to provide relevant information to us that you think we should know.

Below are two links to the CPI process and forms:

Modern Day Slavery http://www.modernslaverypartnership.org.uk/contact-us/

Schools & Education https://www.safe4me.co.uk/portfolio/sharing-information/

When completing the form please try to bear in mind why the information is relevant to us and what we might realistically be able to do with it. Think about our priorities as well as those who could be at risk of harm or associated to vulnerability. Policing Southampton Partnership briefing

Our priorities

 Preventing, reducing and tackling perpetrators of Most Serious Violence (MSV).

 Preventing, reducing and tackling perpetrators of Domestic Abuse (DA).

 Preventing, reducing and tacking perpetrators of Serious Sexual Offences (SSO)

We also work hard to reduce anti-social behaviour and hate crime and we are keen to continue to work with young people to minimise the opportunity of being involved in crime either as a victim or a perpetra- tor.

Policing the Carabao cup tie - Portsmouth Vs Southampton

This was the first “south coast derby” to be played between the two clubs in seven years and was broadcast live on Sky TV. In addition to the significant resources from Hampshire, the size and scale of the operation required support from a number of forces, some providing specialist assets.

You would have seen the media coverage, comments and expectations of how fans reacted before on how derby matches have been policed. Much of this is often around police tactics in response to public safety and public disorder with the obvious scrutiny that goes with that. Our focus was about keeping people safe and getting the policing style and tone right so that the vast majority of those attending were able to enjoy the event, while making it clear we would respond appropriately to those seeking dis- order.

Our policing operation not only focussed on the safety of those attending the match, but also fans watching the game on screens in Southampton. We had a dedicated team officers in Southampton city centre and we’re pleased to say there were no incidents, no arrests and no dispersals. The atmosphere was excitable but pleasant and officers lead a parade from Above Bar Street to Bedford Place to cele- brate the win.

In Portsmouth, we used an array of tactics to keep both sets of fans apart. We also implemented sec- tion 60 stop and search powers, dispersal orders, and prohibited face coverings. At full time, Saints fans were kept in the stadium for 30 minutes to allow for the Portsmouth fans to disperse. There were a total of five arrests in Portsmouth and none in Southampton. After the event, everyone was talking about what happened on the pitch, not off it, which is exactly what we wanted.

We are working with Mutual Gain to bring communities together to make a positive difference to young peo- ple. We want to give young people opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends and build resili- ence, steering them away from crime and violence. We are looking for lo- cal partners, residents and young people to join us and help us find out what the community in Swaythling needs to both feel and be safer from violence.

Initially we are looking to establish a group of people who can begin the community conversation and identify local needs. You will learn new ways of working with your community, add to your skill set and help make the changes you want to see in Southampton.

The next stage of the programme is to help communities bid for funding to establish and support pro- jects that will make a real difference to young people in their area.

Interested? We ran an event today on to take the first step towards new solutions to violent crime with more to follow soon.. E-mail - [email protected]

Community cohesion activity calendar

September 15 We liaised the Muslim Council, Pakistan Welfare Association and the Hindu Vedic Tem- ple in the city to ensure that the planned visit of the first Secretary of the Indian High Commission from London to the Vedic Temple went smoothly and peacefully. This in- tervention happened following the International ‘Kashmir’ situation between India and Pakistan, resulting in some strong anti-Indian government feelings within the Pakistani community in the city.

September 17 We engaged with the Board of Deputies of British Jews in partnership with the South- ampton Park Institutes and the Southampton Hebrew Congregation. The South Hamp- shire Reform Jewish Community and the group Churches Together held an event titled ‘Invest in Peace’ which was held in the Avenue Church, Southampton. The event was open to people of all faiths and hear personal stories of two peace activists; one Israeli and one Palestinian with Solutions and Not Sides.

September 23 We attended the AGM of the Muslim Council of Southampton where representatives from both the Jewish and Christian faiths were in attendance. We also went to the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras event, to celebrate the Sikh Community’s 550th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Sikh faith.

September 26 At the annual launch of Black History Month, we talked about hate crime and force recruitment initiatives.

Inspector Paul Southam Use of Section 60 in Thornhill Millbrook, Coxford, Redbridge, Lord- We authorised the use of Section 60 shill stop and search powers on Sept 27 Inspector Sharman Wicks Bitterne, Sholing, Peartree, Woolston following a large scale public order Inspector Clare Denyer incident in Sholing on Sept 26. Con- City centre, Bargate, Bevois Valley cerned residents called us reporting Inspector Hayley O’Grady there was a group of young men with Bitterne North, Bassett, Portswood weapons on Montague Avenue. Our response was to implement a Sec. 60 that night, and the next night, which we publicised to prevent further inci- dents of serious violence. We pub- lished a map which defined the area we would have this power and re- ceived equal amounts of praise and criticism online from our communities, the latter because people felt that publishing the power inhibited our ef- fort to catch those responsible. Our focus was simple, we wanted to pre- vent violence from occurring first and foremost and he sec. 60 authorisation helped us to achieve that. Out on the street, officers were met with resi- dents thankful for the action being taken, and compliant individuals ready to open their jackets to be searched. Our proactive work contin- ued over the weekend with engage- ment and knife sweeps.