COATBRIDGE and DISTRICT LOCAL AREA PARTNERSHIP Subject: JOINT COMMUNITY SAFETY REPORT From
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NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL G REPORT To: COATBRIDGE AND DISTRICT LOCAL Subject: JOINT COMMUNITY SAFETY AREA PARTNERSHIP REPORT From: HOUSING & SOCIAL WORK SERVICES STRATHCLYDE POLICE STRATHCLYDE FIRE & RESCUE Date: January 201 1 Ref: 1. I ntroduction The purpose of this report is to update members of the Coatbridge and District Local Area Partnership on developments with the current joint work taking place between Strathclyde Police, Housing and Social Work Services and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for the period from September 2010 to November 2010. 2. Background 2.1 The Government’s ‘Promoting Positive Outcomes: Working Together to Prevent Anti- social Behaviour in Scotland, National Framework for preventing anti-social behaviour, has allowed the wider public sector to move in the same direction, work together as equal partners and importantly, allow collective contribution from all the public sector partners. 2.2 Tackling anti-social behaviour contributes to all five of the Government’s strategic objectives but primarily supports making our communities safer and stronger by focusing on National Outcomes 9 ( we live our lives free from crime, disorder and danger) and 11 (we have strong, resilient and Supportive communities where people fake responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others). 3. Statistical Information 3.1 The report includes information from each of the partners and a ward by ward summary of notable incidents. Appendix 1 shows the hotspot map for the Coatbridge area, Appendix 2 Housing & Social Work Services information, Appendix 3 Strathclyde Police statistics and Appendix 4 the tactical assessment from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. 3.2 With reference to Appendix 2, anti - social case numbers shows a reduction in the number of complaints. The majority of complaints centre on noise nuisance and youth disorder. 3.3 The Strathclyde Fire & Rescue statistics at appendix 4 cover the reporting period 1st September to 30th November 2010. The graphs illustrate the performance in Wards 6, 9 & 10 and are also compared to the North Lanarkshire statistics for the same reporting period. During this period there have been a total of 219 incidents in the Coatbridge Area, which were attended by resources from SFR. These account for just over 13% of the total incidents in the North Lanarkshire Area. This reporting period covers our busiest time of year with the Bonfire Night increased drain on our resources so below is detailed specific information relating to this. A summary of the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Campaign is also included at appendix 4. 16 4. Ward by Ward Reports Ward 6 Coatbridge North and Glenboig Within this area there are 72 active anti-social cases and compared to the previous recording period, the level of complaints has remained steady with a number of these cases currently being monitored. Town Centre Police are still operating a “Safe Zone” in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights through until 4a.m. The standard of the stewarding of the nightclubs has risen and the joint working with the police has resulted in a rise in detections for assaults while the instance of assaults has fallen. We have been addressing the anticipated rise in thefts and thefts by shoplifting over the Christmas period and managed to restrict it through better networking of shops and police and through staff being more aware of crime trends through presentations given by the dedicated Town Centre Officers. We are continuing with our enforcement of illegal and inconsiderate parking in the town centre area. From a Strathclyde Fire 7 Rescue perspective Rubbish/Secondary fires continue to impact on resources, this reporting period has seen a total of 43 such incidents in Coatbridge and most have been around the Town Centre. 10 malicious calls made during this period originated within the Coatbridge Wards and 5 of these were in the Town Centre area. False alarms due to equipment are an ongoing SFR issue that with the help of Partner Agencies we strive to reduce. Within this period the Coatbridge Wards have been responsible for 44 unnecessary blue light journeys. Initiatives are ongoing in an attempt to further reduce these unnecessary journeys. With serial offenders being lettered and then visited if necessary. Town head From a Police perspective the Townhead area has again seen significant improvement in terms of addressing anti-social behaviour particularly in and around Morar Crescent. The focus on anti-social behaviour continues to be driven by all partners through the Townhead action group which now meets every 8 weeks due to its success and a reduction in viable actions. This group has representatives from partner agencies, elected members and community representatives. The formation of the community garden within Morar Crescent has both made a significant improvement in an area which has been a significant source of anti-social behaviour. The garden has provided a community focus allowing all people to have an input into this area including local schools and all ages of the community. The garden has eliminated a source of fire setting and the work was recently recognised as part of the recent Beautiful Scotland awards. Police, SWD and C.L. &D. took a group of youths aged 13 - 17, and mainly from the St. Bartholomew’s area, on a successful days activities to promote citizenship and reducing anti social behaviour. These youths will hopefully form part of a Youth Group when Witchwood Court’s Community room is opened. 17 There was an Information Day held in Carron Place on the 14th October 2010 where the public were able to discuss the project with the group, police, housing and CL&D. It was well attended and several people came forward to take up the offer of an allotment. The Community Kitchen was very well received and provided sustenance as well as an education. Parent Action for Safeplay provided 10 sessions in October for local children between the ages of 5 and 13 as part of the garden initiative and thanks to The Peoples’ Millions the group plan to revisit the area soon. The formation of the community garden within Morar Crescent has both made a significant improvement in an area which has been a significant source of anti-social behaviour. The garden has provided a community focus allowing all people to have an input into this area including local schools and all ages of the community. The garden has eliminated a source of fire setting and the work was recently recognised as part of the recent Beautiful Scotland awards. The progress between all agencies, local elected members and community representatives, who form the Townhead action group, is reflected in the reduction of serious anti-social problems being reported and the group continues to address areas where problems continue to exist. Summerlee Summerlee is also an area which has an action group set up to address issues of community safety. The group consists of representatives of the community safety partners, members of the local community and elected members. Regular pro-active visits to both adult and youth offenders continue to take place to ensure any anti-social behaviour is monitored and managed. There has been a resurgence in anti-social behaviour in the Corsewall Street corridor and this being addressed.. The main focus of the action group is the Auldhame Street area and a serious ongoing anti-social case within the Corsewall street area. The individual within Corsewall Street is a major source of alarm and distress within the local community and Anti-Social Investigators have successfully obtained an interim Anti- Social Behaviour Order against the alleged perpetrator. Unfortunately he has continued to offend resulting in Strathclyde Police taking action against the individual concerned. A date for a full hearing is awaited. The Auldhame Street area has become a major source of concern in relation to both crime and anti-social behaviour. The area has seen an increase in pro-active policing and work from Housing Services officers to tackle the problems being encountered. C Iiftonvi I le A number of tenancies within the Cliftonville area have been visited in relation to anti- social behaviour with one tenancy previously giving particular concern however this has been addressed through official measures. Police are monitoring the speed of traffic approaching the roundabout at Quarry Street at Agnew Avenue due to complaints of cars travelling too fast, on approach, to manoeuvre safely. 18 The Police will continue to address the parking issues around St Patrick’s Primary School which has not abated after the October break and are working with the school on their proposals for a safer travelling environment. The area has seen a decrease in activity overall with noise nuisance continuing to be the main source of anti-social complaints. Police together with Housing and Social Work staff continue to work very closely in addressing issues of concern. Partner agencies and elected members continue to meet on a regular basis to actions in an attempt to resolve areas of concern. Two tenancies have been subject to serious incidents of anti-social behaviour and interim Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have been obtained. The terms of these orders have been breached resulting in action being taken by Strathclyde Police against the individuals concerned. We await dates for hearings for full Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. A serious incident occurred within the Concierge station at Highcoats in late November where an individual attacked and entered the station causing significant damage. Police attended and the individual was apprehended. Glenboig Police are addressing parking issues near the roundabout and will continue to issue Fixed Penalty Tickets. Speeding vehicles on the main road and that of fire setting in the green belt areas continue to be addressed. One tenancy is causing concern within the Glenboig area.