Agenda item

Police Inspector James Davis

Inspector James Davies introduced himself and highlighted his role as Neighbourhood Inspector for the Aylesbury Vale, in charge of local Neighbourhood Teams (PCSO’s) and locally based Police Officers.

Keen to get attendance up at Community Boards. Force is going through a restructure at the moment, local based police Officers will increase in number. Moving from Local Police Areas to a Bucks wide model, benefits of this include working with the Unitary Authority and to move resources around with more ease. Uplift on PCSOs locally, Josh and Izzy, all working out of Buckingham as Winslow station is now closed.

Anti-social behaviour is low in the Winslow and Villages area, this could be down to under reporting though. Aware of a spate of graffiti in Stewkley which has now been dealt with. TVP receive the lowest number of reports of Anti-Social Behaviour reports in the country, again this could be an under-reporting issue. Anti Social Behaviour with no crime element should be dealt with by the Council and Anti Social Behaviour with a crime element or someone is being personally targeted then it is dealt with by the police.

Crime in the area remains quite low, focused on neighbourhood crime at the moment e.g. residential burglary, robbery, theft from the person, theft from or of a motor vehicle with an aim of reducing these crimes.

Since January there have been 7 residential burglaries, 2 robberies, 26 thefts of motor vehicle. 4x4 theft is higher in this area but has tailed off lately with increased patrols.

Working closely with underreporting amongst disability groups, disability crime does take place. Violence Against Women and Girls remains an absolute priority.

Statutory obligations around engaging with community about local crime issues, used to have NAGs and Community Forums however these never really took off so looking for new ways to find out what is important, please share ideas of how to feed back to TVP.

Action: all to contact James via email for any ongoing issues (if unable to get hold of neighbourhood team)

Richard Hamley (Winslow TC) asked what policy with regards to drugs within the rural community. Inspector Davies advised that it depends on the scenario to how it is then prioritised. TVP are keen to know about dealers and specific areas of activity. It is possible to then add extra patrols etc. Everything will get actioned but not always immediately as there may be other priorities at the current time.

Llew Monger (Winslow Lions) asked what’s the points in asking people what are the big issues if you then discount them? More support for other issues if you act on the smaller things. Speeding in the town is still reported, motorbikes particularly on a Sundays. E-Scooters are an increasing problem and no evidence that anything is being done. They are illegal on public highway/footpath if they are private owned e-scooter. Since closure of Winslow police office, police presence on the ground has reduced. It would be important to send out a map of the area covered and detail resource for the area as people want to see police on the beat.

Inspector Davies said regarding the office closure it would be nice to have more on the beat. The area covered is the same as the Community Board area with 1 Police Officer for the area however they have other commitments in additional to being out in the area (e.g. national commitments). E-Scooters are illegal, the kids and parents are committing an offence (by purchasing the e-scooters) but probably aren’t aware, so it comes down to education. Speeding isn’t a priority nationally and isn’t covered by the Neighbourhood Team. There is a limited resource of speed vans and they focus on fatality hotspots. TVP do listen to feedback on local priorities but with the caveat there are limited resources, so suggestions need to be realistic.

John Collinge (Newton Longville PC) said that Community Speed Watch is used in the Parish and may be an extra resource to solve the speeding issue.

Jilly Jordon asked what protection do public have in respect to dog bites?

Inspector Davies said dogs near road should be on a lead. Any issues need to be reported and are often repeat reports. The public are not allowed to use a pepper spray, making noise is the best option,

Keith Higgins (Stewkley PC) said he is delighted to have already met new PCSO. Could TVP make an example of a few people committing offences, such as those using e-scooters on the road, to help set an example of and create a multiplier effect?

Used to get a regular camera van in Stewkley, Keith tried to find out where the people caught speeding came from but it was difficult to get the data.

Richard Hamley (Winslow TC) TVP event was not publicised locally, why was this?

Inspector Davies apologies and advised he will look into this.

Action: Inspector Davies to look into details of the event & feedback to Sophia

Action: Inspector Davies to share future event details with Sophia