The Northumbria Police Neighbourhood Inspector has been invited to attend the meeting to give an overview and answer questions about policing in the north Northumberland area.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Sgt Robson, Sykes, Budge and Vickers to the meeting and invited them to give an update on policing matters in the North of Northumberland.
The following issues were raised:-
• Sgt. L Bowman (Amble) - Over the last 12 months there had been a drop in some types of crime such as burglary but an increase in others such as anti social behaviour and drugs related issues. The neighbourhood and response teams were actively tackling the issues.
• Issues had been identified in the Church Street and Queen Street areas of Amble and meetings were being arranged with other bodies such as the Highways Agency.
• An operation would take place soon targeting drugs, social disorder and violence.
• Planning was in place for the removal of lockdown and the lifting of restrictions. Licensed premises and restaurants would be reopening.
• P Sykes (Alnwick/Rothbury)
• Similar situation to Amble. Issues in the Alnwick area included the use of second homes and having holidays during the lockdown.
• Reduction in the contact with schools whilst they had been closed, although this was being stepped up again.
• Mindful of what happening in coastal areas following the increase in tourism in 2020. Joint operations were planned for the whole coastal area.
• Proactive with the housing department with a lot of housing enforcement in the Alnwick area. Closure notice in place for Narrowgate Court, Alnwick. Actively working to reduce anti social behaviour.
• Sgt. Vickers (Berwick) - Similar to other areas crime was generally down in the Berwick area with an increase in anti social behaviour, both were linked to the COVID pandemic.
• Challenging year, County Lines was identified in Berwick and had been dismantled and offenders involved would be receiving Court dates.
• Rural crime team introduced who would look in detail at crimes being committed in rural areas.
• There had been a high number of issues relating to holiday and second homes when lockdown was eased during summer 2020. Efforts had been put in place to find solutions rather than being reactive.
• Work was ongoing to deal with the re-opening of pubs, holiday parks and other licensed premises to try and pre-empt future problems.
The following comments were made in response to Members’ questions:-
• The local sergeant for a particular area could be contacted via telephone, personal e-mail, office e-mail or e-form on the Northumbria Police website. In an emergency 999 or 101 should be used. Any incident should be reported via 999 or 101 rather than contacting a particular police officer direct.
• Progress on the installation of the automatic number plate recognition system paid for by Councillor J.G. Watson would be investigated. A number of such systems had been installed in undisclosed locations.
• Forward planning was being undertaken around issues for residents such as parking and anti social behaviour over the summer months. A ‘coastal summit’ was being held to deal with visitor issues and ensure staff such as parking enforcement officers were in the right place at the right time.
• The police could only act on information supplied by the public if the information was of sufficient quality.
• Community speedwatch scheme operated by public volunteers had been on hold during the COVID restrictions, but two officers had been out today in the Alnwick area. Recruitment was handled centrally.
• Operation Nightwing covered Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick areas and actively targeted anti social behaviour hotspots.
• COVID Enforcement letters were being delivered to parents of children involved in anti social behaviour to make them aware and to warn of the possibility of a fine.
• Three Police Community Support Officers were working out of Berwick and dealing with anti social behaviour.
• Officers were in Longhoughton, Lesbury and Denwick today doing speedwatch work. Powburn had been a regular location for speedwatch and the speed camera van. If a problem was discovered in any particular area, the Highways Authority was asked to provide speed strips.
• Operation Acorn was run in more inland areas of Northumberland in conjunction with the National Park and National Trust to look at areas which had been heavily hit by visitors over the winter months.
• The police were aware of the issue of off road motor bikes and quad bikes and this was being looked at over the force area
The Chair thanked the police officers for their attendance.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.