Agenda item

Update on policing and community safety matters in the Camberwell community council area.

PC Joe Meares based at Brunswick and South Camberwell safer neighbourhoods team reported on the ward priorities which arose out of the police ward panel meetings in the Camberwell Community Council area:

Brunswick Park ward priorities

·  Motor vehicle crime – South side of Peckham Road, the team were leaflet dropping in the area to raise awareness and not to leave valuables on show.

·  Neighbourhood watch scheme has been set up in Shenley Road/Bushey Hill Road, SE5 – to put together intelligence gathering in these areas to help target known individuals that had committed offences.

·  Burglary awareness – people were encouraged to jot down the serial numbers for items like iPads, televisions or any other electrical items in case they are stolen it would make it easier to locate when goods are recovered.

·  Routine visits to known burglars to gather intelligence so the police know their whereabouts at all times of the day.

·  Anti social behaviour (ASB) on the Estates – a number of reported calls referred to people that were gathering in the stairwells.  As a result of regular patrols in the area this has now been reduced.

·  Stop and Search continues to take place in the local area.

South Camberwell ward priorities

·  One residential burglary that was captured on CCTV – the person in question had been arrested.  People were encouraged to report any offences especially if residents had their own CCTVs.

• Youth engagement on the East Dulwich Estate, Albrighton Youth Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a PCSO would be present at these sessions if there were any issues that needed to be discussed with them.  The SNT are trying a different approach for youths to gain their trust.
  
  
• ASB on the Denmark Hill Estate – three families were not getting on, have caused problems on the estate mainly related to disorder offences.  The SNT would monitor any repercussions as a result of an arrest of one family member.
  
  
• The theft of push bikes was on the increase, some of the stolen bikes are very expensive (£2,000 value) and were known to be advertised on ‘Gum Tree’ auction website.

Camberwell Green ward priorities

• Street drinking – the SNT recently seized alcohol from 21 people and have continued to work closely with the community wardens on this.  If street drinkers refuse to hand over the liquor then they would receive a £30 penalty fine.

• Anti social behaviour (ASB) on Poet’s Estate which involved tenancy enforcement. 

• Dealing with irresponsible shopkeepers, two arrests were made for drug offences and one (drug related) stabbing.

• ASB on the Crawford Estate – working with SNT in Lambeth which involved a combined operation to deal with gangs on the estate. Also officers undertook a weapons sweep on the estate which included several arrests for possession of drugs.

Staff Changes:

PC Joe Meares reported that as of the 2 April 2012 he would be moving on as an Inspector at Greenwich Police and Sergeant Leighton would be moving to Lambeth Police as an Inspector.

In response to questions, PC Meares spoke about the training times for community wardens which he agreed to check.  Hate crime is dealt with by the community safety unit who are also responsible for domestic violence.  In order to tackle robbery and muggings in the area, there would be uniform support of the police as well as those in unmarked cars.  They also help with the local neighbourhood watch schemes and briefings.

The chair thanked PC Joe Meares for his presentation and wished him all the best for the future.