TACKLING CRIME AND DISORDER IN ST.HELENS – WARD UPDATE MOSS BANK Significant reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour continue to be experienced across the Borough, which reflects the work being done by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and our Community. There are exceptions however, and some Ward’s may have experienced increases in individual crime types. For example, in Moss Bank there have been some increases in Drug Offences and Domestic Burglary. Partner agencies are continuing to work together to tackle these issues. April to May April to May +/- % 2009 2010 Borough Wide Profile British Crime Survey Comparator Crimes 1123 901 -19.8 Total Recorded Crime 2135 2010 -5.9 Ward Profile British Crime Survey Comparator Crimes 50 40 -20.0 Total Recorded Crime 78 81 3.85 Theft of a Vehicle 2 3 50.0 Theft from a Vehicle 4 3 -25.0 Domestic Burglary 3 10 233.3 Theft from a Person 0 0 N/A Criminal Damage and Arson 22 15 -31.8 Drug Offences 7 17 142.8 Anti -Social Behaviour calls to the Police • Rowdy Behaviour 87 57 -34.4 • Nuisance Vehicles 0 4 N/A • Street Drinking 4 1 -75.0 Merseyside Police - Your Neighbourhood Inspector is Ian Cooper and your Neighbourhood Sergeant is Bob Clewes. The Big Clean Up St. Helens Council Safer Communities Team and Virgin Media teamed up recently to provide funding for a big clean up of Green Cabinets across the Borough. The project saw workers cleaning, repainting and removing graffiti from 311 cabinets, and applying a protective covering, which lasts for up to five years, to prevent any further damage. To report any vandalism to Green Cabinets in St. Helens, please call the Council Contact Centre on 01744 456789/676789 Borough wide Initiatives Playing it Safe This Summer St. Helens Council has pledged to make the borough a safer place this summer. Along with Merseyside Police and other agencies making up the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), the Council has vowed to clamp down on anti-social behaviour. St. Helens referee Chris Foy kicked off a football-themed summer campaign as he showed anti-social behaviour the red card before taking charge of this year’s FA Cup final. But as the World Cup unfolds – bringing its own problems of over-indulgence and domestic violence – the Council says it is determined to tackle anti-social issues throughout the tournament and beyond. Councillor Susan Murphy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Safer Communities and Youth, said: “We recently distributed our ASB Pledge to residents, which outlines the standard of service they can expect. We’re working with our partner agencies throughout the summer to ensure we tackle anti-social behaviour, and uphold our Pledge to our Community. “ Measures being introduced include high-visibility policing patrols in parks and open spaces – including the Dream site, The Duckeries, Taylor Park, Sherdley Park, Queens Park, Clinkham Wood, King George Park and Mesnes Park. The council’s Environmental Wardens and Park Rangers will also continue to patrol these locations to ensure they are kept clean and safe. And, in addition to the Council’s 'Nothing to do? Think Again' programme of activities during the school holidays, our partner agencies will be providing free activities throughout the borough for young people during the lighter nights – especially at weekends - as an alternative to hanging around on the streets where some young people may potentially become involved in anti-social behaviour. Last year’s summer campaign in July and August was a winner for local residents – with anti-social problems down 14 per cent from 2008 with 237 less incidents reported. “Everyone has a part to play in making this year’s campaign a success,” said Councillor Murphy, “and we can all help show the red card to anti-social behaviour by reporting any incident to the police.” Chief Inspector Mike Constantine pledged: "The police are determined that all parks and open spaces in St. Helens will be places where residents and visitors can enjoy themselves safe in the knowledge that they are free from any form of anti-social behaviour. “We’re proud of the reductions in anti-social behaviour we’ve achieved with our partners, and will continue our robust work to drive down behaviour which stops law abiding citizens from enjoying themselves in our excellent places of recreation.” Are you having problems? Don’t suffer in silence – contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 6010. Drawing a Line on Domestic Violence Residents in St. Helens stood shoulder to shoulder with the authorities to show a united front against domestic abuse this World Cup. Officers from Merseyside Police, as well as representatives from St Helens Council and crime and disorder reduction partners, joined forces with the residents at the event in St Helens town centre on the first England game. Last year, Merseyside Police received more than 25,000 reported cases of domestic abuse and statistics show an increase around the time of high profile sporting events. This is often linked with the amount of alcohol consumed during such matches, either in the home or at pubs, and police are appealing to people to drink sensibly throughout the tournament so everyone can have a safe and happy World Cup. During the last World Cup, between June 9, 2006 and July 9, 2006, there was a 21 per cent rise in the number of incidents of domestic abuse in St. Helens compared to the same period the following year. Of the 94 offences in 2006, 53 involved alcohol. This compares to 75 incidents in 2007, of which 44 of those involved alcohol. Inspector Chris Sephton, from St Helens Family Crime Investigation Unit, said: "We want victims to be aware that they don't have to suffer in silence - there is help out there for them, whether from our partners or from us, and we will treat every report sensitively. "We also want friends, family and neighbours of victims who suspect that domestic abuse is taking place to help us take action against the offenders by contacting us. "Specially trained officers will be on duty at key times around the World Cup but we will not just be responding to reports, we will be targeting known offenders and looking to speak to victims throughout this time so they know that help is available to them." During the event, free lip salves were given out bearing useful numbers to call and Independent Domestic Violence Advocates, as well as officers from Merseyside Police, were on hand to provide advice. Anyone wanting more information should call St. Helens Independent Domestic Violence Advocates on 01744 743 200 or Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010 . In an emergency always call 999 . Ward Initiatives Arrests, charges and convictions ⇒ Richard John Brooks, 23 years old of Ennerdale Avenue, pleaded guilty to taking a motor vehicle without the owners consent. The vehicle was a Nissan Sunny motorcar. He was also found guilty of driving without insurance and whilst driving disqualified. He was imprisoned for four months and disqualified from driving for twelve months. ⇒ Jordan Dean Highcock, 19 years old of Buttermere Avenue, appeared at court charged with being carried on a motor vehicle without the owners consent (knowing that the vehicle had been taken). The vehicle was a Nissan Sunny motorcar. A Community order was imposed, including a curfew to run for sixteen weeks. Compensation of £50.00 was to be paid to the owner of the vehicle with a further £85.00 costs. ⇒ David Kevin Young, 31 years old of Dearham Avenue, was found in possession of a controlled drug, cannabis. A twelve-month conditional discharge was the courts order with costs of £85.00 also to be paid. ⇒ A cannabis farm was located in the Haresfinch area in a garage at the rear of a property. One man has been arrested. Making St. Helens Roads Safer! Merseyside Police have been clamping down on Road Safety in St. Helens. In April 2010, 20 uninsured vehicles were seized from roads throughout the Borough. In Moss Bank, vehicles were seized from Moss Bank Road and East Lancashire Road . Chief Inspector Mike Constantine says, “Driving a vehicle on a road or in a public place without insurance against third party risk is irresponsible and illegal. You need to be correctly insured for the vehicle you are driving or you could face prosecution and suffer the embarrassment cost and inconvenience of having your vehicle seized.” Crime Prevention Summer time security ⇒ Make sure windows and doors are closed and locked before leaving your house. ⇒ When in your garden, always lock your front door. ⇒ Make sure all gardening equipment and outdoor toys are locked away securely in a shed or garage. ⇒ After a day out in your vehicle remember to remove all valuables including sat nav’s and their holders For further advice about home security, contact your local Crime Reduction Officer – 0151 777 6883 or 0151 777 6047 . Priority Setting You said At the last Policing Priority Meeting it was agreed by those present that the priority location would become Redruth Avenue, Laffak for the next three months due to young people causing anti-social behaviour, playing football in the street and giving verbal abuse to residents. We did St. Helens Council, Merseyside Police and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partners have worked together to target the priority issues in your area. Your Local Neighbourhood Policing Team has regularly patrolled the priority location over the past month. There has been one incident of young people playing football reported in the past month In Moss Bank the two dispersal order zones that have been in place since November 2009 have now finished.