AGENDA ITEM No. .0j~30e~D.0DDOCOIODD.1" NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT To: MOTHERWELL AND DISTRICT LOCAL Subject: JOINT COMMUNITY SAFETY AREA PARTNERSHIP REPORT From: HOUSING & SOCIAL WORK SERVICES STRATHCLYDE POLICE STRATHCLYDE FIRE & RESCUE Date: 19' January 201 1 Ref: JS 1 Introduction 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update members of the Motherwell 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 201 0 to November 201 0. 2 Background 2.1 Under the Government's 'Promoting Positive Outcomes: Working Together to Prevent Anti-social Behaviour in Scotland, the 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 antisocial behaviour contributes to all five of the Government's strategic objectives but primarily supports making our communities safer and stronger by focusing on National Outcome 9 ( we live our lives free from crime, disorder and danger) and 11 (we have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take 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 Motherwell area, Appendix 2 Housing & Social Work Services, Appendix 3 Strathclyde Police and Appendix 4 the Tactical Assessment from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. Appendix 5 provides an inaugural report from Street Base North who are providing outreach services for young people with potential alcohol and drug abuse issues in the Craigneuk and Wishawhill area. 3.2 With reference to Appendix 2, anti - social statistics throughout the Motherwell area remain static. Ward 16 had issues with youths harassing local residents. These issues are being addressed by community safety partners. The Jerviston area within ward 17 has been more settled of late. The majority of complaints within Ward 18 are noise related because of the high concentration of Tower Blocks. 3.3 Mediation figures have increased significantly since the last report; the team have resolved 2 neighbour disputes in Ward 18 which will prevent the need for further action to be taken, and have provided advice and guidance to 7 disputes across wards and are actively working on 2 cases. decreased since the last report, the team are actively working on 2 cases within ward 16, we are confident if parties come on board with the service that positive outcomes can be achieved. 23 3.4 Mediation and Housing staff continue to carry out information sharing sessions which are proving beneficial. New members of staff have been given training regarding the service which has increased the referral intake for this period. 3.5 Appendix 4 also includes a summary of the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service’s Bonfire Campaign 201 0. 4. Ward by Ward Reports Forgewood An issue arose in regard to youths involved in disorder and vandalism within both Dinmont and Tulley Wynd areas. The youths involved were identified and joint visits were carried out by Police and Housing to respective households to deliver a robust message and deter further issues. A household within Dinmont was searched and quantities of controlled drugs were recovered. Complaints to elected members in regard to two Rottweiller dogs being allowed to roam unsupervised within the rear courts of Dinmont and Bellshill Road and to fouling a communal close in Dinmont Crescent have been addressed. Since a Breach of Tenancy Warning was issued, the close has remained clean and dogs are now being kept under control. The everyday issues affecting the area continue to be youths congregating and causing annoyance and complaints of street drinking and general disorder. Numerous persons have been reportedarrested or issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for disorder] vandalism, possession of controlled substances & drinking in public places. On the morning of 20th October Fire Crews from Motherwell Fire Station attended two separate incidents in Dalriada Crescent] Motherwell. A quantity of furniture had been deliberately placed within a common stairwell and ignited. Strathclyde Police were informed of this potential serious incident and carried out enquiries. Shortly after the second of these incidents Fire Crews carried out “Hot Strikes” in the immediate area, whereby smoke detectors were fitted to those who required them as well as general fire safety advice given. North Motherwell Complaints made by a number of persons at elected Members surgeries in regard to the behaviour of youths in the Logans Road area have and are being addressed. A case conference was convened by Community Safety Partners and actions agreed. The youths are discussed monthly at the Youth Offender Group where progress is monitored, updates are provided and relevant information shared between Community Safety Partners. Complainers are contacted on a regular basis and there has been an improvement in behaviour. Jerviston This area has had a more settled period although there have been sporadic incidents of vandalism. Three Council tenancies occupied by key participants in Anti Social Behaviour have been re-possessed by Housing. Two of these houses were occupied by families from the ‘Bottom scheme’ and the other from the ‘Top Scheme’. 24 Estate management issues identified have been addressed and there has been a general improvement in the area. Community Safety partners continue to work together to tackle the ongoing issues in this area. Partnership working combined with the sharing of Intelligence and information is crucial in achieving long term solutions. Coursington Complaints about disorder within a household in Coursington Tower are currently being investigated. A Final Warning has been issued and an Anti social Behaviour Order interview has been carried out. A petition was submitted to the Council and the Police and Housing in regards to complaints of Anti Social Behaviour by named persons, in the general area is being dealt with. A case conference was held by Community Safety Partners and actions agreed which should resolve the issues in question. Controlled drugs were found within a tenancy in Draffen Tower and a person has been reported for being concerned in the supply of drugs. Wood Crescent Area An Estate walkabout with residents group was carried out within this area and the issues raised are being addressed. Newarthill / Carfin Complaints of disorder in Newarthill Road have been addressed resulting in a Final warning being issued. A case conference is being arranged with all partner agencies in regard to the household in question. A house in Vorlich Wynd was subjected to acts of vandalism. The person responsible has been traced, issued with a Breach of Tenancy Warning and an account issued for cost of repair works. New Stevenston New Stevenston has enjoyed a settled period with no serious issues. 4.3 Ward 18 Muirhouse / Flemington Most reports relate to incidents of minor vandalisms, street drinking, disorder and acts of anti-social behaviour, predominantly noise complaints from within the tower blocks. A tenancy within Grange Tower that was the source of disorder and used as a drinking den has been re-possessed by Housing. Housing staff witnessed a noisy party and disorder within a tenancy in Dalziel Tower resulting in a Final Warning being issued. The Police attended and the party was dispersed, and arrangements have been made for an ASBO interview to take place. Watsonville A Final warning has been issued to a private sector tenancy in Albion Street, and the Landlord informed of the circumstances. 25 Joint visits were carried out by Housing and Police in the Watson Street area following complaints of dogs being allowed to run about unsupervised. One tenant received a verbal warning regarding their dog, and all residents were advised of the services available to assist them. Craigneuk A Street Base Programme (Liber8) commenced during this period within the Craigneuk area, to tackle alcohol & substance abuse with young people aged between 10-18 years. Progress and updates are updated at the Community Safety Groups and linked L.A.Ts. Knowetop / North Lodge Complaints about dilapidated vehicles kept within the driveway of an NLC tenancy have been resolved after a visit by Housing adviser. The tenant has had the three offending motor vehicles removed and disposed off. 5. Promoting Positive Outcomes At Community Safety Sub-Group meetings partnership working and joint actions have impacted throughout the Motherwell area resulting in a reduction of crimes, offences and anti social behaviour. Areas identified with emerging problems are highlighted and actions targeted by community partners to tackle same. Community Wardens and Police continue to carry out patrols in identified Hot Spot areas. Joint action days have taken place on the 28'h & 2gth October and on the 3"' of November 201 0 when Police accompanied by Housing Advisors & Investigators attended at various addresses in all ward areas where anti social behaviour was an issue. The purpose of these visits was to maintain a proactive approach and deliver a joint and robust message to confront persons / households involved in anti social behaviour. Community Safety partners have worked closely together in regard to the issues that have affected the Jerviston area, and it has been noted that there has been a general improvement within the area. Housing staff and the Community Police continue to work with our Mediation Team to promote the use of Mediation as an effective way of reducing neighbour conflicts at an early stage. Motherwell Youth Offender Forum is currently discussing suitable interventions and actions in relation to 5 youth offenders. Motherwell Fire Station Open Day Motherwell Fire Station, under the direction of Station Commander McKenna, hosted a highly successful Open Day on Saturday 5* December.