BROXBOURNE COMMUNITY SAFETY CONSULTATION FORUM Links to Key Information The latest crime statistics for the Borough can be found at Hertfordshire crime levels & statistics – CrimeMapper – www.police.uk Local neighbourhood budgets – further information can be found at http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/community_and_living/community_safety/local_neighbourhood_budgets.aspx The latest anti-social behaviour statistics can be found in the Safer Community Monitor: http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/community_and_living/community_safety/safer_community_monitor.aspx Useful links/contacts about community safety matters Police (non emergency) 101 or www.herts.police.uk Crime Stoppers 0800 555111 Broxbourne Council Community Safety Team 01992 785573 email – [email protected] Broxbourne Council Helpline 01992 785577 or www.broxbourne.gov.uk Fire Home Safety Checks 0800 5873347 HCC Defective Street Lights 01438 737320 01923 471320 or www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults Meeting held 31st January 2013 Present: Hertfordshire Constabulary Herts County Council Chief Inspector D Newsome Cty. Cllrs Ms D Hart and D. Hewitt Broxbourne Borough Council - Councillors Paul Mason (Leader), Ken Ayling, Sue Ball- Greenwood, Keith Brown, Martin Greensmyth, Tim Hutchings, Mark Mills-Bishop, Yvonne Mobbs, Bren Perryman, Paul Seeby (Chairman) and Lyn White and Mr M J Walker and Mr T Cox 27 local residents including representatives of the following local organisations/forums:- Robert Arnold Lulworth Avenue Neighbourhood Watch Alan Bull Great Amwell Carpet Bowls Keith Cockman Hoddesdon Neighbourhood Forum Rev. John Green Rosedale Community Church Frank Jones Hoddesdon Neighbourhood Forum and College Road Residents Assoc. Angela and Brian King Windmill Estate Residents Association Brian Lord Richardson Crescent Residents’ Association Brian Lowe Broxbourne Neighbourhood Forum and Broxbourne Open Spaces Brian Mollett Friends of Cheshunt Park Doreen Parsonage The Wormley Society Ken Rock Broxbourne Neighbourhood Watch Also present: Mr J Alcock, Mr G Anderson, Ms J Barkway, Mr Caselle, Mr R Dewey-Leader, Mr A Ford, Mr. & Mrs T Funnell, Ms D Gately, Mrs L Greensmyth, Mr. & Mrs S Harris, Ms A.Locke, Mr K Parker and Mr. M. Tarpey 1. INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ray Hannam and Hazel Jackson, County Councillor Alan Searing, Mr. Jonny Bugg (Herts Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office), Mr. M. Morris (Hoddesdon Youth Centre) and Mr. P. Worth (Mill Lane Residents Association). Councillor Paul Seeby took the chair for the meeting. 2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 27th SEPTEMBER 2012 - agreed. In response to a question about the planning application for a drug rehabilitation centre in Hugill House, Swanfield Road, Waltham Cross, the Chairman advised that the applicant had appealed against the decision of Broxbourne Council to refuse the application and this matter was now with the Planning Inspectorate. 3. LOCAL POLICING Chief Inspector Dave Newsome advised that all crime in the Borough in 2012/13 had reduced by 18% compared with the previous year, which was above the County average. Vehicle crime fell 25%) and robbery fell 42%, but residential burglary was up 7%. This was mainly in the south of the Borough and being committed by cross border criminals, principally in the late afternoon/early evenings. Anti-social behaviour fell by 18%, whilst criminal damage fell by 4%. He indicated that the local priorities for the next 3 months are: o Residential burglary o Anti-social behaviour o Motor vehicle crime o Increased attendance at crimes - emphasis on victim based crimes He also outlined various recent operations in the area to target specific crimes and outlined some of the challenges for the Police over the coming months. The Forum welcomed the continuing reduction in crime and ASB levels and agreed the policing priorities for the next three months. 4. UPDATE ON THE NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR A POLICE AND CRIME PANEL Mike Walker outlined milestones for the new Police Commissioner, Mr. David Lloyd. The Commissioner had visited Waltham Cross on his first day in office. The Police precept in 2013/14 would remain unchanged, but the following year will require difficult decisions about levels of resources. The Police and Crime Panel which scrutinises the work of the Commissioner is now formally established. The Forum invited a representative of the Police Commissioner to attend future meetings of the Forum. 5. LOCAL COMMUNITY SAFETY PRIORITIES 2013/14 Mike Walker briefly outlined the key findings from the annual strategic assessment of community safety issues and the challenges facing the Community Safety Partnership over the coming year. The priorities for 2013/14 are: • Maintain low levels of serious acquisitive crime, particularly burglary dwelling and vehicle crime and reduce offending rates of persistent offenders • Reduce the incidence of domestic violence • Deal with dangerous/obstructive parking outside schools; • Reduce anti-social behaviour/enviro-crimes; and • Continue to improve public confidence/ reassurance A summary leaflet was tabled at the meeting which would be the base for the Community Safety Action Plan for 2013/14. The leaflet can be viewed at http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/community_and_living/community_safety/annual_strategic_as sessment.aspx The Forum noted the identified community safety priorities for 2013/14. 6. UPDATE ON LOCAL COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVES Tony Cox outlined a range of current initiatives to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and improve public perceptions/engagement, including gating projects, a review of the Borough’s alcohol control zones and a range of communication campaigns to raise public awareness and encourage community volunteering (for more details go to http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/community_and_living/volunteering_opportunities.aspx. 7. QUESTION SESSION The following issues were discussed - Theft of Catalytic Convertors - in response to a question Chief Inspector Newsome indicated that thefts locally were on the increase. The Police will shortly be running a publicity campaign to raise public awareness. ASB in Hoddesdon Town - Councillor Hutchings advised that at the retailer forum the previous evening it had been requested a meeting be held with the Police to identify a range of actions to address this problem. The Chief Inspector indicated he would be willing to meet retailers at the earliest opportunity. Dangerous Parking in Whitehands Close - it was advised that there was a persistent problem of dangerous parking on the junction of Whitehands Close/Langton Road, Hoddesdon. 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday 23rd May 2013 at 7.00pm at Bishops College, Churchgate, Cheshunt Local Neighbourhood Forum meetings Wednesday 6 March 2013 - Hoddesdon Thursday 14 March 2013 - Cheshunt Thursday 11 April 2013 – Wormley and Turnford Wednesday 8 May 2013 – Waltham Cross Monday 20 May 2013 - Broxbourne Thursday 6 June 2013 – Goffs Oak and West Cheshunt For further details go:- http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/public_meeting/neighbourhood_forums.aspx .