Original Posting 29/4/08

I had an on site meeting with Peterborough City Council today in the company of Janet Wilkinson and another active local resident to discuss how best we could improve the play area and seek more funding for such in addition to our award donation.

The great news is that additional funding has now been promised which as you're aware was a condition of us releasing our £1K and we are continuing our efforts to secure even more.

The different options and costs involved for play equipment, fencing, seating and waste bins that have been suggested by residents will be sent through to me in a couple of weeks from the council and I'll post them here and on the www.citysouth.org.uk website for your comments. As soon as we can confirm the final amount of money available we'll then be able to set about getting this done.

In order to spruce up the remaining equipment and maintain it going forward voluntary time will be needed from residents to paint certain equipment and help keep the park litter free. From my experience this is seen as positive involvement of the community by the council and as such attracts a better chance of more funding so if we really want this improvement we need also to be prepared to put in the time so let me know if you're willing to help out. The council will supply the paint so it’s just you we need.

We can start this sooner rather than later so please get in touch if you wish to help.

Actual structural repairs will for insurance reasons remain the responsibility of the council.

It’s looking very promising. I'll keep you up to date.

Chris

Original Posting 11th April 2008

As you know last year we asked you where our £1000 Respect Award could best be used within the community and a refit/upgrade of the Children’s Play Park was the outstanding favourite amongst members for this investment. £1000 doesn't go very far and we’re looking for additional commitment of investment from the council before we release the money.

Discussions have been positive so far and I have a meeting with Peterborough City Council and our local councillor Janet Wilkinson at the end of the month to discuss this in more detail and hopefully move this wish forward.

Now’s the time for you to get your thinking caps on and let me know what exactly you would like to see changed, removed or installed in the area so as I have some definite ideas to put on the table at the forthcoming meeting. Please let me have your ideas and wish list by emailing me

chris@park-farm.org.uk

or on the www.citysouth.org.uk website forum section where I’ve started a new topic under Stanground & Park Farm. I look forward to your replies.

Kind regards

Chris

Original Post

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions as to how you feel the £1000 award could best be spent here in Park Farm. The most popular suggestion was to

• Improve the children's play park

We'll now begin negotiating with the local authority and contacts to hopefully get the ball rolling. Although the money will go to the childrens play park providing we get some real investment from the authority there were some very creditable suggestions which the group felt were just as worthy and we'll be looking into these ideas too.

• Pond Maintenance, Disabled Access and Benches
• Litter/Dog Poo Bins around the Green Wheel
• Zebra Crossings on Park Farm Way for the schoolchildren
• Garden/Bulb Planting for the schoolchildren
• CCTV around the school/shop and improved lighting

Thanks for all the suggestions. If you'd like to help with any of these initiatives by providing some volunteer time please contact Chris on 07939 664788 or by email by clicking here

Original Posting

As you know earlier this year the Park Farm NHW Scheme was awarded a £1000 Respect Award by the government at a ceremony in London. The primary reason for our success was our hard work within the community with residents and the police and in particular the introduction of the NHW scheme and its initiatives such as street patrols, graffiti removal, litter picks, our targeting of ASB and underage drinking and our member’s website.

We’re keen to continue this work and invest this award in a worthwhile project within our community and therefore want your suggestions as to where you think the money would be best used.

What would you like to see built, repaired, replaced or improved in our estate? Please don’t restrict your ideas to the £1K as we’re happy to negotiate with the local authority in order to get larger projects considered using the money as a donation towards the total cost.

Please send your suggestions to chris@park-farm.org.uk or log on, post and discuss them in the forum section on the local community website www.citysouth.org.uk by the end of October.

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The next neighbourhood panel meeting will be at Stanground Community College on Tuesday 8th July 2008 at 7.00pm so I hope as many of you as possible will be able to make the meeting as this one is so close to home. If you live in, work in or visit Park Farm, Stanground, Fletton, Woodston or Hampton, this is your opportunity to influence the Police and Partner Agencies priorities in your area. The last panel meeting set out our three panel priorities for the area, these were:

1. Criminal damage in Stanground including Ayres Drive & Thurning Avenue.

2. Anti-social behaviour in Hampton specifically Eagle Way, Clayburn Road and “The Tump”

3. Anti-social behaviour,Speeding and parking in Huntly Road, The Dell, Bakers Lane, Oundle Road, Fletton High Street including parking and speeding.

These priorities were set at the last panel meeting and the Neighbourhood Team have been working to tackle these issues, the results of which will be discussed at the meeting. If you have any issues that you would like to raise and discuss as a possible future panel priority then please make the effort to attend or if you can't make it please send details through to Chris by clicking here. Everyone is welcome. Together we can make our neighbourhood safer.

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The meeting was once again well attended with the majority of public attendance by residents from Park Farm, Fletton and Woodston. Hopefully we'll see more from Hampton at the next meeting in July.

• 684 crimes recorded between Dec 07 & Feb 08 a decrease of 2.8% (20 crimes)
• Orton with Hampton most significant decrease down 15.3%
• Stanground Central increase in offences by 19.1% (33 Offences) mainly due to increase in criminal damage.
• Increases in burglary across the neighbourhood area, with the exception of Stanground East.
• 501 incidents of ASB between Dec 07 & Feb 08 a decrease of 20% (125 incidents)
• ASB increased in Hampton, decreases in other three wards.

Anti Social Behaviour in Hampton

Dedicated patrols, words of advice, alcohol confiscations, work with local agencies around providing facilities for young people.

ASB Green Wheel between Stanground & Park Farm

High visibility patrols in areas from Stanground to Horsey Toll Bridge, 23 stop & searches, alcohol confiscations, education to children at local schools including Heritage Park, arrests for criminal damage,patrols of the skate park included.

Obstructions in Woodston and Fletton

High visibility patrols in area of Palmerston Road, Wharf Road, Wootton Avenue and Celta Road, speed enforcement, patrols at peak times to remove obstructions.

Panel Meeting Minutes

1. Mike Brett Hampton, Parish Council and Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator. Issues with parking, especially on pavements and speed limits around the Hampton area.

2. Suzanne Doxey, Neighbourhood Investment Team Peterborough City Council – No issues raised.

3. Irene Walsh, Stanground Central Ward Councillor would agree with criminal damage as a priority in Stanground. Mentioned concerns surrounding the Stanground Community centre, they are getting CCTV installed but would like more patrols. Heron Court would benefit from more patrols. Also highlighted that Fletton had an increase in car crime.

4. Brian Rush, councillor for Stanground Central raised the issue of underage youths drinking alcohol, speeding on Coneygree Road and Oakdale Avenue.

5. Sally Dines, Stanground, Fletton and Woodston Residents Association strongly agreed with the proposed priority of anti-social behaviour in The Dell and Huntly Road.

6. Bev Stone, Neighbourhood Manager of Anti-social behaviour Cross Keys Homes (Southern Office) mentioned that residents have highlighted the issue of increase in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. Issues in Fellowes Gardens with youths drinking and climbing on the garages.

7. Janet Wilkinson, Stanground Councillor states that the Green Wheel had improved but there are still issues. Also speeding on Coneygree Road and Park Farm Way.

8. The following issues were raised by members of the public:

• Celta Road shelter still a source of problems, people urinating, drug dealing, noise, graffiti.
• Parking and speeding near to the Grove Community Centre.
• Jubilee St, George St and Swain Court is residents parking. People seem to know when the parking attendants are about and have started parking there again.
• Jubilee St delivery drivers from the take-aways on Oundle Road parking on the double yellow lines.
• Parking and speeding on Fletton High Street especially outside Lloyds TSB.
• Issues on New Road, speeding, parking on double yellow lines, and vehicles parking on junctions causing obstructions.
• Hampton: - concerns outside the nursery and shops due to parking.
  Also the one way system seems to be ignored.
• Ayres Drive/ Thurning Avenue, Stanground under age youths congregating on the playing fields on a Friday and Saturday night. On a Saturday and Sunday morning members of the public have found numerous empty bottles and cans on the field and every so often there are broken bottles down Ayres Drive.
• Horsey Toll, Stanground issues of graffiti.
• Old nursery in Stanground issues of graffiti.

The 3 new priorities agreed by the panel are as follows

1. Criminal damage in Stanground including Ayres Drive & Thurning Avenue.

2. Anti-social behaviour in Hampton specifically Eagle Way, Clayburn
Road and “The Tump”

3. Anti-social behaviour,Speeding and parking in Huntly Road, The Dell, Bakers Lane, Oundle Road, Fletton High Street including parking and speeding.

The panel agreed with the above recommendations. Parking and speeding is still an issue so this has been added to the Woodston priority.

Any Other Business

Mike Brett and Eileen Le Voi were both elected as new panel members and will formally join the panel on Tuesday 8th July 2008.

Date for next panel meeting will be on Tuesday 8th July 2008, venue to be confirmed.

Original Posting

The next neighbourhood panel meeting will be at Hampton College, Hampton on Tuesday 8th April 2008 at 7.00pm. If you live in, work in or visit Park Farm, Stanground, Fletton, Woodston or Hampton, this is your opportunity to influence policing in your area. The last panel meeting set out our three panel priorities for the area, these were:

1. Target Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage around the Green Wheel Cycleway/Footpath from the rear of Thistle Drive properties in Central Stanground then along the river round to Horsey Toll Bridge in Park Farm. (This being suggested by Park Farm NHW members and Councillor Wilkinson)

2. Target the increase in Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage in the Orton with Hampton Area.

3. Target Obstruction and Parking Issues throughout Fletton & Woodston.

These priorities were set at the last panel meeting and the Neighbourhood Team have done lots of work to tackle these issues, the results of which will be discussed at the meeting. If you have any issues that you would like to raise and discuss as a possible future panel priority then please make the effort to attend or if you can't make it please send details through to Chris by clicking here. Everybody is welcome. Together we can make our neighbourhood safer.

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Over 200 delegates attended the Crime & Communities Seminar at The Royal Hotel in Manchester last Thursday in the company of the government Respect Coordinator Louise Casey and her team.

Representation from the Police, local authorities, community action groups, NHW schemes and previous Respect Award winners were present and all were given the opportunity to discuss and vote on various issues concerning crime and punishment. The results from the seminar together with your on line responses to the questionnaire below will help make up the recommended direction the government should take going forward.

When the topic arose regarding public responsibility and what initiatives could be promoted we were extremely fortunate to be given time to address Ms Casey, her team and the rest of the delegates and advise of the forced demise of our street patrols by request of the Police citing issues of health & safety and insurance. This was met with calls of "shame" and "disgraceful" from the audience and a very angry Ms Casey advised delegates that she was fully aware of the success of our patrols and was extremely annoyed that this had taken place particularly as the audience had just sat through a film promoting street patrols in another UK town as a 'great initiative'.

Ms Casey agreed there were huge implications for the rest of the country where patrols are also taking place because of this action and enquiries must take place. The Respect Team has been in touch today for more information and a copy of the letter received promising to take this up with the Home Office, Police, NHW Executive and the current NHW insurance provider.

We'll keep you posted.

Original Posting - 11th March 2008

Following on from our 'Respect' On Line Survey this Thursday sees the PFNHW leadership attending the Crime & Communities Seminar in Manchester and this morning we have received a letter from Louise Casey (The Government Respect Coordinator) inviting every member to now participate in this review too by completing either an on line questionnaire or by requesting a hard copy to be sent to your home address.

This is your chance to help set future government policy towards crime and punishment. Please click on the link below to participate.

Complete Questionnaire

The closing date is 11th April.

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An agreement has been signed by Cambridgeshire police and Neighbourhood Watch which clarifies how the two organisations work together.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hopkins, who signed the agreement on Thursday at police headquarters, said:

"There is a considerable overlap in the aims of neighbourhood policing and the Neighbourhood Watch movement, particularly around crime prevention, sharing intelligence and identifying issues of local concern. "Both organisations aim to solve problems, promote reassurance and improve the quality of life for people living in the county.

Eddie Cloke & Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hopkins

"The constabulary is totally committed to supporting Neighbourhood Watch and other watch schemes and the signing of this agreement strengthens the relationship to ensure that Neighbourhood Watch is fully integrated into the neighbourhood policing programme."

The Cambridgeshire Constabulary Watch Development Group, in partnership with the county Neighbourhood Watch Executive Group has produced:

- A statement of intent

- A service level agreement

- An identified liaison officer within each neighbourhood policing team who will be the main contact with watch schemes.

Eddie Cloke, Chair of the Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Watch Executive Group, said: "It's a very important day for Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Neighbourhood Watch. "It's going to set the guidelines for giving support to the police by Neighbourhood Watch and also support for Neighbourhood Watch from the police. "Particularly, it will outline how neighbourhood policing teams will play a role in the future of Neighbourhood Watch."

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The Respect On Line Survey Results are as follows -

1. Does your local area have a Neighbourhood Policing Team?

2. Who is responsible for deciding which problems the police concentrate on in your local area?

3. Do the local Police do enough to tell you what action they're taking about crime and anti-social behaviour in your area?

4. What's the main way you hear about what's being done to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in your local area?

5. What would help people come forward to report crime and anti-social behaviour in your area?

6. Some people who commit crime or anti social behaviour are given community sentences(e.g. cleaning graffiti). Do you agree with the following statements?

7. What night of the week is it most important for activities for young people to be available?

Many thanks to all those who took part.

The results have been forwarded onto the Respect Coordinator Louise Casey in the Cabinet Office.

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The meeting was very well attended with about 40 members of the public, our local councillor Janet Wilkinson and the Evening Telegraph Newspaper. It was also great to see our new Chief Inspector Jon Betts. Many thanks to those who attended and in particular our NHW members.

Decreases in crime levels have been seen in two of the wards in the last three months, (103 offences) 27% down in Fletton and (40 offences) 19% down in Stanground Central. Crime levels remained static but thankfully very low in Stanground East with just 39 offences in three months. Hampton however has seen a 17% increase (215 offences).

Previous Priorities Identified

· Anti social behaviour in the area of Oundle Road
The team dedicated 29 days with high visibility patrols focusing on the Cherry Tree Recreation Ground, Oundle Road, Sugar Way, The Dell, Gordon Avenue and Wharf Road.

6 youths were issued with orders not to return to the area for 48 hours.

The police and local authorities are working to reopen a youth club facility in the Fletton area.

· Anti social use of vehicles in Stanground
The team dedicated 38 days to conducting high visibility patrols in Stanground, with particular focus on the areas of Park Farm, Sandpiper Drive, Lawson Avenue, Chapel Street and Whittlesey Road.

During the period youths were educated on the powers the police have to seize vehicles. One vehicle was seized using these powers and one warning was issued whereby if the vehicle is seen again it will be confiscated.

The team is also working with the Traffic Officers following reports of vehicles jumping the red lights at pelican crossings on Whittlesey Road.

The Road Policing Unit arrested four youths on Wessex Way for being in possession of a stolen moped.

· Theft from motor vehicles in Fletton
The team dedicated 24 days to high visibility patrols focusing on the High Street, Princes Road, Fletton Road and Fletton Avenue.

Local establishments have been educated by the PCSO's including ICA the Fleet and Hope House in relation to leaving items on display in parked vehicles.

The following three priorities were agreed by the panel for the police to concentrate on for the next three months.

1. Target Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage around the Green Wheel Cycleway/Footpath from the rear of Thistle Drive properties in Central Stanground then along the river round to Horsey Toll Bridge in Park Farm. (This being suggested by Park Farm NHW members and Councillor Wilkinson)

2. Target the increase in Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage in the Orton with Hampton Area.

3. Target Obstruction and Parking Issues throughout Fletton & Woodston.

All previous priorities including those suggested at the meeting by members of the public will also be looked into for further monitoring and action.

The next meeting will be held at 7pm on 8th April 2008 at Hampton College. Please make a note in your diary.

Original Posting

The next neighbourhood panel meeting will be at Brewster Avenue Infant School, Brewster Avenue, Woodston on Tuesday 8th January 2008 at 7.00pm. If you live in, work in or visit Park Farm, Stanground, Fletton, Woodston or Hampton, this is your opportunity to influence policing in your area. The last panel meeting set out our three panel priorities for the area, these were:

· Anti social behaviour in the area of Oundle Road
· Anti social use of vehicles in Stanground
· Theft from motor vehicles in Fletton

These priorities were set at the last panel meeting and the Neighbourhood Team have done lots of work to tackle these issues. The results of which will be discussed on 8th January. If you have any issues that you would like to raise and discuss as a possible future panel priority then feel free to attend. Everybody is welcome. Together we can make your neighbourhood safer.

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The tally of litter collected in the 'Pick1Up' campaign has today surpassed the 200 mark. (Actually 203) What a fantastic effort. Please don't stop there. We need your continued efforts to maintain our estate and in particular in those areas where we struggle for volunteers such as Belsay, Aydon, Kedleston & Brodsworth.

We know many of you do your 'own bit' and we thank you for your efforts.

Now the grass has been cut outside the school we'd like some volunteers to give it the once over. If you can help please get in touch on 07939 664788 or volunteer online at www.citysouth.org.uk

A huge thank you to all those involved.

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This is a week of events being run nationally to help raise awareness of work being done to tackle crime.  The Home Office is encouraging Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Drug Action Teams to work with local residents and community representatives to highlight the work that is being done and to encourage greater community participation. 

The week is also an opportunity to promote Neighbourhood Watch and the wider Watch movement and celebrate Neighbourhood Watch's 25th anniversary this year.

Carol Aston is involved in events all week long including a huge rural event where the police are visiting 19 villages in 4 days and in Peterborough teams are doing local initiatives with primary schools aimed at reducing ASB and criminal damage in the run up to Halloween with the flour and eggs initiative.

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As you may be aware from the media reports, thefts of scrap metal have reached extremely high proportions and across Cambridgeshire we are seeing increases in thefts of lead from churches. As you can imagine these thefts are carried out by thieves not interested in damaging buildings that in some cases have been around for hundreds of years and the impact on local communities can be traumatic.

In launching Churchwatch we are encouraging communities to get together and become a partnership against criminal behaviour in their area. By letting the police know of anything suspicious you see or hear, you are helping to reduce the opportunities for crime to occur. Some people think they should not ring the police when they see something suspicious going on as they don't want people to think they're being nosey, intrusive or interfering in other people's concerns.

Many churches are in prominent places in a village or town but in many cases are surrounded by trees and bushes. In many cases this may allow criminals to work unobserved. Stealing lead is not a 'one man' operation
- we know that in some crimes lead has been collected and hidden in bushes for collection at another time - and they have to use a vehicle.

We are asking communities to work together so we can catch these criminals
- the message from the police is to keep your eyes and ears open and report any suspicious activity to the police. Any descriptions are very useful, including descriptions of individuals and vehicle details and registration numbers.

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The meeting was once again well attended and our local councillor Janet Wilkinson was invited and welcomed on to the panel.

Decreases in crime levels have been seen in all wards in the last three months, some 4% in Fletton, 12% in Hampton with Orton, 12% in Stanground Central and 15% here in Stanground East. There has however been an increase in the level of theft from motor vehicles and ASB although here in Stanground East this equated to only one additional case compared to the last three months.

The following three priorities were proposed and agreed by the panel for the police to concentrate on for the next three months.

1. Target the increase in theft from a motor vehicle particularly in the Fletton area.

2. Target the increase in Anti Social Behaviour in all areas but in particular Oundle Road from London Road to the Gordon Arms Public House.

3. Target Anti Social driving in Stanground via education in partnership in particular with Stanground College.

All previous priorities including those suggested at the meeting by members of the public will also be looked into for further action.

The next meeting will be held at 7pm on 8th January 2008. Venue to be confirmed.

Previous Posting

The following issues were raised by the panel at the last panel meeting in June.

• Councillor Walsh – The fear of crime for the over 55’s in the Stanground area. Concern that youths will again gather, drinking alcohol and causing anti-social behaviour at the Black Bridge Stanground during the school holidays.

• Councillor Rush – Speeding vehicles mainly during the mornings and evenings through Oakdale Ave, Lawson Ave, Coneygree Road, Ellwood Avenue and Park Farm Way.

• Councillor Thorpe – Anti social behaviour around the playground in Oakley Drive.

• Maria Axiom Housing Rep – Anti social behaviour and criminal damage in and around Fellowes Gardens, Vehicle parking in Fletton Avenue and Anti social behaviour being caused by youths in Fletton High Street particularly around the White Hart public house and the Youth Club.

The following issues were raised by members of the public.

• Youth Anti social behaviour and criminal damage, along with parking on double yellow lines in Jubilee Street.
• Small houses in the Fletton area being used for multi occupation which was causing problems.
• Cars parking on footpaths causing obstruction throughout Park Farm.
• Anti social behaviour in the central play area of Sugar Way and that it was being used as a race track by a motorcyclist
• Criminal Damage being caused at the Baptist Church on Oundle Road
• Youths drinking alcohol late into the night, being noisy and leaving litter in the ‘Cherry Tree’ play park next to Grove Street.

After deliberation the following 3 new priority areas were agreed by the panel for the police to target.

1. Anti social behaviour and Criminal Damage in Fellowes Gardens and surrounding streets.

2. Speeding vehicles in Coneygree Road, Oakdale Avenue and Lawson Avenue, Ellwood Avenue and Park Farm Way.

3. Reducing incidents of Theft across the sector, through crime prevention.

Although there are only three main areas shown above all issues will be looked into and prioritised as necessary by the police. Previous set priorities will also continue to be monitored and retargeted where necessary.

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Police have this morning (Wednesday, July 11) arrested nine people in connection with drug offences in Peterborough.

Codenamed Operation Abolish, around 100 officers and police staff from Cambridgeshire, including the dog unit, attended 11 addresses from 2am and arrested nine men and one woman.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Ridgway, who led the operation, said: "We have today arrested nine people and are searching a number of properties as part of investigations into drugs offences in Peterborough. "Today's operation should send out a clear message that we take these offences extremely seriously and we will take a tough line on drugs and the people suspected of dealing drugs. "The links between drugs and serious and organised crime and low level crime are well documented and it is vital that we continue our proactive approach to dealing with the issues. "Drugs create misery for victims, families and the wider community and they have no place in Cambridgeshire. There will be drug workers alongside our officers today who can assist anybody who wants help with their drug addiction."

Throughout the day officers will be distributing leaflets advising residents of why the raids took place and appealing for information. The leaflet also includes information about advice lines and groups who help people with drug addictions.

Advisors from the Peterborough Community Safety Partnership and Drug Action Team have been working alongside police to ensure there is a support mechanism in place following the raids and Street briefings will also be held to make local people aware of what has happened. The mobile police station will be parked in the areas of the raids to enable people to visit officers with any information or concerns they have.

Det Chief Insp Ridgway added: "This operation is a partnership approach as it is important to ensure that all agencies work together to make a significant long term difference to our communities. "If we are to combat the problem of drugs we must tackle both the suppliers and the users."

Anyone with any information relating to drugs offences should contact police on 0845 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Tuesday the 26th of June 2007 - Brewster Avenue Infants School.

There were 12 panel members consisting of myself (Chairperson) from Park Farm NHW, Insp Gordon Whyte, Sergeant Dave Trippett, Chrissie Bridge, 3 Councillors and representatives from Crosskeys Homes, Axiom Housing and Peterborough City Council. 16 members of the public were also in attendance. Please note Councillor Wilkinson is not a current member of the panel.

Representation of Park Farm is via myself by invitation of the Police. You had the opportunity to voice your opinions and concerns prior to and during the meeting. It really is up to you to make the effort to attend or send in your suggestions if you wish to have a say in the direction the police take in our neighbourhood. (Many thanks to those of you who attended or contacted me prior to the meeting).

At the previous Neighbourhood Panel Meeting, the following neighbourhood issues were identified and adopted as priorities:

1. Illegal Alcohol Sales.
2. ASB and the fear of crime at elderly residential homes in both Stanground wards.
3. ASB and Criminal Damage – ‘The Tump’ Hampton.

• Illegal Alcohol Sales

Police have being paying particular attention to the areas of, Boltoph Green, Oundle Road Woodston, Grove Street recreation ground, Fletton High Street, Stanground playing fields and Chapel Street recreation ground along with any other areas which have been reported as having persons publicly drinking.

They have visited numerous on and off licences giving advice and assistance to managers and staff. Particular attention has been paid to premises for which we have received specific information about illegal sales.

The Police Community Safety Unit along with Trading Standards and Sector staff have carried out numerous test purchase operations through out this time period. These have been very successful in terms of catching out those premises who regularly sell to those underage. It is now widely acknowledged within the retail community that these ops are taking place which is a good deterrent.

During this period Police officially cautioned 2 persons for purchasing alcohol to give to youngsters, seized and disposed of alcohol from 7 different people while drinking in public and visited 11 different premises to offer support and assistance after staff felt pressured by groups of youths. During one of these incidents a drunken youth was arrested after trying to steal a case of lager.

• ASB and the Fear of Crime at elderly residential homes in both Stanground wards

PCSO Smith has compiled a questionnaire to discover exactly what residents fears are. This had gone out to numerous residents and 33 were returned. Their fears range from gun and knife crimes to vandalism.

Carol Aston, Police Community Safety Officer, attended locations in the area with a view to designing out crime. Carol has made a number of recommendations such as setting up NHW, getting lighting repaired and coppicing of trees and bushes. PCSO Griffin attended a meeting with a number of other agencies with a view to completing these recommendations.  A number of which have now been done.

Sector staff now have a key to the community room at Stan Rowan Court and will use this facility to visit and take refreshment breaks there. PCSO’s have visited a number of complexes during coffee mornings and meetings to discuss safety issues with residents. These informal meetings and chats have proved very positive. Numerous high visibility patrols carried out around the areas.

• ASB and Criminal Damage

PCSO Chestnutt has been liaising with O&H Hampton who look after and maintain this site in order to keep them update with any litter or damage problems.

Sector staff carried out numerous high visibility patrols in the area. During the first two weeks a group of youths had been fighting on The Tump. Three people were arrested and are being dealt with through the court system. Two of those arrested have been referred to Peterborough City Council Community Safety Group for further interventions. Routine patrols have continued and regular checks made with little to report. PCSO Chestnutt attended a local resident’s association meeting on the 10th of May which reported no problems at The Tump.   

The following issues were raised by the panel

• Councillor Walsh – The fear of crime for the over 55’s in the Stanground area. Concern that youths will again gather, drinking alcohol and causing anti-social behaviour at the Black Bridge Stanground during the school holidays.

• Councillor Rush – Speeding vehicles mainly during the mornings and evenings through Oakdale Ave, Lawson Ave, Coneygree Road, Ellwood Avenue and Park Farm Way.

• Councillor Thorpe – Anti social behaviour around the playground in Oakley Drive.

• Maria Axiom Housing Rep – Anti social behaviour and criminal damage in and around Fellowes Gardens, Vehicle parking in Fletton Avenue and Anti social behaviour being caused by youths in Fletton High Street particularly around the White Hart public house and the Youth Club.

The following issues were raised by members of the public.

• Youth Anti social behaviour and criminal damage, along with parking on double yellow lines in Jubilee Street.
• Small houses in the Fletton area being used for multi occupation which was causing problems.
• Cars parking on footpaths causing obstruction throughout Park Farm.
• Anti social behaviour in the central play area of Sugar Way and that it was being used as a race track by a motorcyclist
• Criminal Damage being caused at the Baptist Church on Oundle Road
• Youths drinking alcohol late into the night, being noisy and leaving litter in the ‘Cherry Tree’ play park next to Grove Street.

After deliberation the following 3 new priority areas were agreed by the panel for the police to target.

1. Anti social behaviour and Criminal Damage in Fellowes Gardens and surrounding streets.

2. Speeding vehicles in Coneygree Road, Oakdale Avenue and Lawson Avenue, Ellwood Avenue and Park Farm Way.

3. Reducing incidents of Theft across the sector, through crime prevention.

Although there are only three main areas shown above all issues will be looked into and prioritised as necessary by the police. Previous set priorities will also continue to be monitored and retargeted where necessary.

If you couldn't make the meeting but would like to convey any suggestions or concerns to the local neighbourhood policing panel you can now do so via ecops or by calling a new direct line number.

01733 248816

Please remember this number is for non emergency contact with your local neighbourhood police team only and not for urgent response calls.

The date and time of the next meeting was agreed as 18th September 2007 at 7pm at (venue to be announced)

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Due to the sterling work that the Cambridgeshire Police are doing, there have been fewer burglaries in the county this year. This means that our two Bobbies have more time to work with the ‘at risk’, potential victims and vulnerable residents. The age limit is 70 and over, and we do have to charge a £20.00 fee for our pro-active service, but everyone gets the same high standard of advice and equipment fitted.

From door chains to window alarms, new locks and peep holes, we offer help and security advice to all. The reassurance our Bobbies are able to provide is well known. Please let us know of anyone you think may benefit, and remember that we are willing to be flexible with our criteria when considering helping those who have genuine disabilities or are particularly at risk or vulnerable.

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A week-long drink drive campaign has been hailed a success after only 3.5% of drivers were caught over the limit.
During the TISPOL (Traffic Information System Police) campaign, which ran between Monday, June 4 and Sunday, June 10, a total of 433 people were tested, with 15 people being caught over the limit.

Inspector Ron Simkins said: "It is extremely positive to see that so many people are taking the laws in relation to driving whilst under the influence so seriously. For only 3.5% of those people who were tested after drinking to be over the limit is a positive step in the right direction to reduce the number of drink drivers. This minority who continue to ignore the law are not only risking their own lives but also the lives of others.They may think that they are safe to drive but they are mistaken.

"We will continue to carry out regular speed checks as we work to reduce the number of drink drivers caught."

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On Friday 15th June, POLICE and partner agencies held a county-wide crackdown on bogus "rogue traders" who prey on vulnerable people.

Operation Rogue Trader involved teams of officers working alongside officers from Trading Standards, local authorities and HM Revenue and Customs to target known "hot-spot" areas.

A total of more than 60 officers from the partner agencies took part in the operation which was part of a national day of action.

Intelligence indicates that conmen who carry out building maintenance and resurfacing work are also responsible for offences including burglary, deception, theft, criminal damage and harassment. They often charge large amounts of money for substandard, or no, work and steal from victims if given the chance.

Police also believe the same bogus traders may be responsible for stealing construction machinery, while Trading Standards experts suspect they are flouting consumer protection legislation. Officers carried out patrols in areas where so-called "cold callers" and rogue traders are known to operate. All operational officers in the county were asked to provide intelligence for the operation and the force's ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) unit was in operation.

Inspector Billy Bremner said: "Rogue trading and the crime associated with it is a priority for the force and this operation was part of an ongoing campaign to tackle it. These traders ply their despicable trade across the county, and the country as a whole, throughout the year and it is important residents are aware of how they operate. We hope this action sends out a clear warning to those who commit crimes against elderly and vulnerable victims. I would urge anyone with information about this type of activity to contact police or Trading Standards."

According to Trading Standards, there were 11 reported rogue trader incidents in the county last month, three in April, as well as three attempted offences, but none in March. In separate incidents this year, two elderly residents parted with nearly £60,000 in total.

Cathy Inman, from Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, said: "The victims of this sort of crime are often elderly and in many cases they are charged extortionate amounts of money for very poor quality work. We also know these conmen will intimidate victims and take them to banks to withdraw large amounts of money to pay for services. Trading Standards officers are pleased to be working in partnership with the police and we hope the joint action taken demonstrates how seriously both agencies treat rogue trading and crime associated with it."

Police officers dealt with traders suspected of committing crimes, while Trading Standards officers handled issues surrounding trading standards or consumer protection and local authority officers made sure vehicles carrying waste were certified to do so and also took the opportunity to check vehicles being used by traders to ensure they meet regulations and to ensure tools and plant equipment being used are not stolen.

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Our scheme coordinator Chris Harper has been invited by Cambridgeshire Police and The County NHW Association to represent NHW Northern Division (Peterborough) at the July Policy Meeting at Police Headquarters in Huntingdon.

Chris said "This is an exciting opportunity to discuss the future shape of NHW in the county with the Chief Constable, senior officers and representatives of the NHW movement, one which I hope will result in consistency across Cambridgeshire and a true commitment to working together.

"Many NHW schemes have disappeared within a year of their launch and much of this can be put down to the initial passion of the scheme coordinator and community waining, particularly once crime begins to fall and when the coordinator realises that many of those who were keen and initially volunteered their time backed out once that commitment was requested. It is always a struggle to get volunteers despite promises and it always appears to be the same dedicated few who do all the work while others quite happily let them do so. Once they get fed up the scheme folds.

"During our recent Property Marking Roadshow at Stanground Fete a number of local residents commented to me that they believed they were in a scheme but had heard nothing since launch and had seen no benefit from being a member. I have to ask what the point is of such a scheme existing if the members don't even know if it exists?

"I'd like to see a new NHW code of practice adopted to ensure that all NHW schemes, coordinators and members know what to expect and what is expected of them, how a scheme should be run, and how this will be monitored by the association and police.

"I don't have all the answers to the problem. Even though we have been successful and remained consistent so far in Park Farm we are always looking for ways to increase the level of voluntary time given by members. I'd like to hear any suggestions from members and non-members as to how the movement addresses this issue going forward. Maybe you've run a voluntary movement before and have had some success in this area? If you have any ideas please let me know".

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Month on month comparisons however, show a downward trend in crime, with total crime down by 1.7 per cent in May compared to April 2007.

Superintendent Nigel Trippett, said: "We have seen some fluctuation in crime levels during the past months, but overall crime is down. "We are working hard to tackle priority crime areas including burglary, vehicle crime, robbery and drug offences, and have dedicated operations running to catch prolific offenders and put them before the courts."We are also taking in part in a multi-agency week of action in the Ortons, which is expected to have a significant impact on crime and criminal activity in the area. "We are committed to continuing to reduce crime in Peterborough and bring those committing offences to justice."

Figures for May 2007 - (May 2006 figures are in brackets)

Total Crime - 2,095 (2,095), Dwelling Burglary - 134 (113), Vehicle Crime - 288 (343), Robbery - 25 (21), Violent Crime - 379 (409), Criminal Damage - 422 (409), Drugs - 63 (27)

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Over the last week the hotspot areas for dwelling burglary were Stanground Central & Fletton.

Night time Creeper Series Night time creeper burglaries in Stanground Central ward mainly at dwellings where the doors or windows have been left insecure. The peak time for offences is 00:00 – 05:00. Locations targeted include Riverside Mead, Chapel St, North St, Mount Pleasant, Curlew Drive, St Audrey Close, Redwing Close, St Georges Avenue, Ellwood Avenue, Park Farm Way, Oxburgh Close and Belton Avenue. The target property includes vehicles as well as mobile phones, laptop computers, cameras, cash, passports, ID cards, driving licences and cycles.

Unidentified offenders possibly living around the area close to Thistle Drive/Wessex Close, Stanground committed the Wharf Rd offence and may be linked to other dwelling burglaries and vehicle crime in Northern and possibly Central Division, as vehicles stolen from Fletton and Whittlesey during May have also been burnt out in Caxton Court, Stanground. Patrols around the Caxton Court, Turnstone Way and Fieldfare Drive area between 22:00 and 07:00 will aid in the identification of individuals who frequent the area and who may be committing these offences.

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Neighbourhood Policing has been in place in Cambridgeshire for over 12 months now, so we thought it was about time we gave you a quick update as to what we’ve been doing within the Southern Sector area over the past year.

575 arrests by your Community Beat Officers
Set up 5 Designated Public Place Orders
Taken uninsured, untaxed or nuisance vehicles off the road
Since 1st January this year 12 homes have been searched in our area under warrants, seizing drugs worth in excess of £60K
Seen the roll out of Smartwater to homes and businesses in our area
Carried out licence checks with Trading Standards to ensure businesses are not selling alcohol to under 18's.

We’ve held our first neighbourhood panel meetings where you’ve told us that the main things bothering you most are:

Illegal alcohol sales
Anti Social Behaviour at elderly residential homes in Stanground
Anti Social Behaviour and criminal damage at the Tump at Hampton

So, we’ve made these our number one priorities for action. We’ve been spending more time patrolling these areas as well as teaming up with Peterborough City Council and local housing agencies to tackle these issues.

And, we are making a difference with a 11% reduction in overall crime over the last year within Southern Sector.

However, we’re not going to stop there ? we’re determined to make Stanground a safer place to live and work so look out for further updates in future.

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The initiative was part of a European-wide campaign organised by TISPOL (Traffic Information System Police) that ran the week commencing Monday, April 23.

During the campaign officers conducted a number of speed checks across the county and handed FPN (Fixed Penalty Notices) to 170 drivers, resulting in a £60 fine and three points on their licence. More serious offences were dealt with by summons to magistrates court.

"Excessive and inappropriate speeding is one of the main contributions to avoidable collisions that result in death or serious injury.

"Those who break the speed limit or speed inappropriately when driving are not only risking their own lives but also the lives of others."

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Immobilise is free both to the public to register their property, and to the UK police forces to check the system. All property with a serial number can be registered on www.immobilise.com This allows police forces all over the country to identify property wherever it turns up.

We have also been able to surprise some suspected mobile phone thieves by running instant checks through Immobilise to see if they are the real owners of the phones.

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Det Insp Murphy said: "As we have experienced the warmer weather recently, we have noticed a surge in reported crime which is not acceptable. Operation Crackdown will take a zero tolerance approach and will be targeting all crimes, and the offenders behind them.

"Extra officers will be deployed at hotspot areas around the city, and at key times when we know that crimes take place.

"We have trap cars out in the city - unmarked police cars where sat nav devices and mobile phones are left on display - and we have a trap house which is set up to catch any would-be burglars who try to break in.

"We are sending letters to those people who we suspect are behind some crimes in the city to warn them they are being watched and we are liaising closely with our CCTV partners to take a co-ordinated approach where we see crimes taking place.

"If we suspect individuals, or groups of people are up to no good, officers will carry out street interventions to prevent crimes from happening.

"Anyone or any groups of people who are behaving themselves and are simply out to enjoy themselves need not worry about being challenged by officers. We are only interested in those people acting suspiciously, rowdy or where intelligence on individuals suggests we should intervene."

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Just a quick note to let you know that your neighbourhood policing inspector has changed. Inspector Gordon Whyte has taken over the city's southern sector, which includes Stanground, Woodston, Orton Waterville, Orton Goldhay and the Hamptons.

Inspector Dominic Human, who previously led the southern area's neighbourhood team, will move to Peterborough's central and eastern sectors.
inspector Whyte said he is looking forward to the challenge of leading one of the city's new neighbourhood policing teams:

"It is an exciting time to be joining the team who are doing fantastic work in engaging with residents in the communities we serve.

"The team is really getting on board with new ways of communicating with residents, including holding outdoor street briefings and enabling communities to help set the policing agenda at neighbourhood panel meetings.

"One of my priorities will be tackling anti-social behaviour and the type of low level crime and disorder which cause distress and disruption. I will also be concentrating efforts on priority crime areas such as burglary and vehicle crime.

Inspector Human will be based at Bridge Street Police Station and Inspector Whyte at the new police offices in Hampton.

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In total the service centre team answered an average of 634 calls every day throughout the month. Overall, March saw a large increase in the number of calls offered with a total of 20,056 calls (compared to 17,161 in February 07). In total, over 97.9% of calls were answered (19,647 calls answered in total).

Their aim is to answer 90% of all calls within 30 seconds. In March, 83.59% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. Although there was a 3.72% drop in the number of calls answered within 30 seconds, this was against an average 15% increase in the number of calls dealt with.

Overall the average wait time (i.e. the amount of time before the phone was answered) was 18 seconds. Although there was a slight increase in the average wait time for March, there has been a significant reduction in wait times over the past 12 months.

The least busy times are between 1200 and 1430 or after 2100 so if you are able to plan your call, these are the best times to call. The busiest times are between 1430 and 1600. Callers ringing between these times may experience a slight delay in response, this is due to the volume of calls for service.

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I have this week heard reports of an increase in illegal parking in the Stanground area. I feel it is important to clarify a few issues regarding parking to make sure that all drivers have the information they require when deciding where and when to park the vehicles.

Parking on double yellow lines, on pavements or in the surrounding areas of a junction constitutes obstructive parking and is punishable by a Fixed Penalty Notice of £30.00.

Now, I appreciate that no one wants to be issued with tickets that are going to cost £30.00 a time, which is why I would ask all motorists to think before parking their vehicle. If you are parking close to a junction, please remember that you may be causing, a visual obstruction to vehicles entering and exiting from the junction. Double yellow lines are there for a reason in most cases they are designed to prevent visual obstructions of parked vehicles and also to stop pedestrians having to cross a road between parked cars and to allow the free flow of traffic along that particular route.

Possibly the worst instance of parking, is where a vehicle is parked partly or fully onto a footpath. This causes people wishing to use the footpath to have to walk out into the road and put themselves in danger just to navigate around the vehicle. Please remember that people with pushchairs and wheelchair users also have to enter the road because the path is blocked. Also please bear in mind that just because there is someone sat in the driver seat with the engine running waiting, you are still causing that obstruction!.

The message is simple, please think before you park your vehicle, even if it is to just pop into the shop or to go the cash machine, there is always somewhere more appropriate to park, although it may involve a short walk to accomplish your task.

Any vehicles causing an obstruction will be issued with a Penalty Notice costing the owner/driver £30.00.

As usual, I will be more than happy to hear any comments.

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South East Neighbourhood Policing Panel - An Invitation - Chris Harper
22nd Mar 07

Dear Residents

As you are probably already aware I have been elected as ‘Chair’ of the South East Neighbourhood Policing Panel.

The purpose of this new panel which includes the Police, Local Councillors, Housing Authorities, PCC, Youth Crime Representation, Local Schools and Invited Community Representatives is to receive and debate in public meetings local in depth crime information for the areas of Stanground, Park Farm, Fletton, Woodston and Hampton and decide upon priorities for the police to concentrate on.

This does not mean the police will not focus on any other crime. Indeed they have to deal with crime as and when it happens but the idea of Neighbourhood Policing is for the community to direct the police on the areas that are deemed to be hotspots for attention.

The first meeting was a closed meeting at Hampton Police Station on the 20th March where the panel were introduced to each other and briefed on their role. We heard from each delegate about concerns in their area and taking into account the crime information provided by the police, decided on the first three priority areas.

i) Elderly Homes in the Stanground Area. To focus on ASB and the fear of crime being experienced.
ii) Alcohol Sales to Minors in all areas. Trading Standards to target all local shops, off and licensed premises.
iii) ASB around the ‘Tump’ area in Hampton. Broken Glass, Noise, Vandalism and Graffiti.

Work is already underway by Cross Keys, PCC and the Police to tackle problems in Fellowes Gardens and the Parade in Lawson Avenue.

The launch of this new policing panel for our area gives you a real chance to put forward your concerns for consideration and debate. Content does necessarily only concern high profile crimes but may also be environmental such as litter, street lighting, and graffiti.

Although I live in Park Farm and with the NHW scheme feel I have a pretty good understanding of the issues here, these are only how I personally see them and my concerns may not be the same as yours. May I therefore please urge you to let me know in complete confidence what it is that worries or annoys you personally, what you don’t like and what would you like to see done about it? If you could ask the police or local authorities to concentrate on something what would it be? 

The panel meets every three months and the next date for your diary is the evening of the 26th June.

You’re very welcome and I’d urge you to please try to attend this and future public meetings where you'll hear about progress with the previous set priorities. You'll then be able to put forward your concerns and the panel will decide on the next three priority areas to concentrate on.

This initiative is community driven and the Police will not directly influence our decisions bar providing the crime information required and an opportunity too good to miss where together we as a community can really make a difference so please get your voice heard and get in touch either by

Email to chris@park-farm.org.uk

Or telephone on 07939 664788

Alternatively you can post and debate your views and concerns on our new community website www.citysouth.org.uk

If you have any problems registering or wish to be guided through the process please let me know.

If something really ‘gets your goat’ then let me hear about it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this letter.

Kind regards

Chris Harper

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NHW Coordinator elected to 'Chair' of Neighbourhood Policing Panel
20th Mar 07

NHW Coordinator invited to serve on Neighbourhood Policing Panel
27th Feb 07

Dear members

I need to put the record straight and allay some fears. I have not resigned from the only scheme in the area that actually has got off its backside and done anything in Park Farm and continues to do so. I am proud of what the team has achieved in just one year, honoured to lead it and will continue to concentrate my time within the scheme and on the special projects requested by others.

I have however decided it is in the best interests of our scheme to part company with the committee of the Peterborough NHW Association. There has been very little input or benefit from the association since our scheme started apart from the chairpersons comment that the scheme was 'Brilliant' and sadly I could see no benefit going forwards. The association website that we spent 100's of hours working to design, build and administer was also in danger of falling into disrepute so it was felt to be in the best interests of NHW that this should be archived and taken offline for now.

Back here there are some great new initiatives about to be launched. One of which we are going to launch initially in Park Farm and then throughout Peterborough. We've secured another big sponsor and alliance (watch out for an exciting announcement soon).

Personally I'm about to start work on a new idea with the Police in the Fens so you'll appreciate that time spent entertaining childish remarks by immature individuals is pointless. I've got far too much to do.

If you want to read drivel and fiction then look elsewhere. If you want to read fact you'll find it here.

You know who's doing it. Just look at the evidence.

Which scheme won an award in November from Cambridgeshire Constabulary for its work in the community?
Which scheme has been recommended for the Readers Digest Award this year by its members?
Which scheme has been backed by Inspector Human for a Government Respect Award this year?

Enough said!

Thanks for your continued support and kind regards.

Chris

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Cambridgeshire Crimestoppers lead the way - 13th Feb 07

Cambridgeshire has come top in the region for successes with Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers operates across the UK to help identify, prevent, solve and reduce crime. Within the month of January, Cambridgeshire has come in first place for arrests, recovered property and the amount of drugs seized.

Other counties included in the region are Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

Last month, nine arrests were made, £1,600 worth of property was recovered and £48,450 worth of drugs were seized thanks to information that the public gave by calling Crimestoppers.

Detective Superintendent Walter Haddow said: "Cambridgeshire has been leading the way with calls to Crimestoppers and has seen excellent results for a number of months.

"These latest figures show that calls to Crimestoppers by members of the public are reaping rewards for the county. Information from calls which are made to the service are passed on to police as items of intelligence. We are very proactive at using the information and acting on it accordingly.

"We actively encourage Cambridgeshire residents to contact Crimestoppers and they should be proud that because of their calls, officers can act on their information to tackle issues in their neighbourhoods."

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The above number is our official NHW registration number. When purchasing house insurance this number should be quoted by members only to obtain any discounts applicable.

Please be warned. Applications made by anyone falsely claiming to be a member of a scheme will be treated as an act of fraud and apart from voiding any insurance could also lead to prosecution.

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