Kim McGuinness, Police and
Crime Commissioner gave an update on policing in the Ashington & Blyth area. She gave
the following information: -
- She acknowledged that
the pandemic had been challenging for the Police
force but highlighted that it had not taken away from the
work the force was doing.
- The new police
and crime plan was consulted across the entire region and the PCC
highlighted that there was a good representation from
the South East are of the County. Public
engagement was higher than in previous years despite the
pandemic which caused a change in plans.
- The main concerns
raised were common issues such as anti-social behaviour.
It was highlighted that there were different levels of anti-social
behaviour that ranged from fly-tipping to low level drug
dealing.
- A new system had been
introduced to allow a slicker process for Councillors
to report grievances. It was hoped that it would
help bridge the gap for reporting crimes.
- County lines was
still high on the agenda of the PCC plan and there was
a two-pronged approach through prevention tactics
and more police presence.
- She was
pleased with the progress of a number
of operations including; momentum which led to five
people evicted from the area.
- It was acknowledged
that drug crimes lead to other crimes and there was a drug problem
in the South East area. It was emphasised
that it would not be tolerated.
- There was ground-breaking work being
undertaken in response to violence and women and girls (VAWG).
The vast majority of reported violent crimes were domestic
violence. The work around VAWG included perpetrator work
which was to break the perpetrator cycle to
prevent reoffending.
- The Police Crime and
Commissioner highlighted concerns regarding funding into
the police. Funding was annual and often a one-off fund.
Policing needed more sustainable funding.
- The communication
with residents was highlighted as a success; open surgeries
and surveys were done to help those affected by
crime.
- Youth services were
working closely with Councillors. A great example of this was
work with Councillors to create a motorbike club which helped with
motorbike disorder in the area.
The following comments were
made in response to questions:
- Members
echoed the sentiments that the police hard worked hard and
done a good job throughout the pandemic.
- It was agreed that
the engagement bus was a great
addition to force. It was requested that
the engagement bus visit other areas in South
East Northumberland.
- The ANPR
(Automatic Number Pate Recognition) cameras across the County were
used as a covert police tactic.
- The handheld speed
cameras that Blyth Councillors had invested in were working
well. It was agreed that there were would
be more updates in relation to crimes reported to
Councillors.
- Post pandemic
the community speed-watch voluntary programme was to
be relaunched. There was going to be a push on
recruitment for the volunteers as there was an
acknowledgement that there needed to be more.
- There were
initiatives put in place with the Council as
a long-term deterrence for anti-social behaviour
such as congregating in public carparks.
- The new train line
plan had possibilities to create other deterrence’s but
it was important to note that most people used the carparks
appropriately and it was important to find the right level of
deterrence.
- Long lens
cameras were getting results. The speed community had a record
of achievements but needed to be shared with Councillors. The
information from this intelligence was to be used to identify
areas where a speed camera would go.
- It was highlighted
the importance of reporting crimes as the force base the
way they responded through crimes reported. A new telephone
service was introduced which would improve the service. Wait
times had decreased since the initial increase when covid
restrictions ended.
- Electric bikes that
were funded by Councillors were useful and the
achievements had not been publicised as much as it should have
been.
- Visiting schools had
been difficult during the pandemic however moving
forward Community Support Officers would be
attending colleges to promote speed
awareness.
- There was a
suggestion about educating parents on the parking safely
during school pick up and drop offs.