Police teams to present.
Minutes:
Sergeant Clair Haynes, South Camberwell ward sergeant, explained that she had been in post since June 2013. Recent activities had included tackling domestic violence, and preventing the sale of stolen mobile phones. There had also been a campaign to prevent / reduce cycling injuries in the area, particularly at certain junctions. Officers had issued tickets to offenders and the number of accidents had fallen. Daytime burglaries were also being targeted, including the use of plain-clothes officers. It had been successful with a number of arrests made and anti-social behaviour orders.
In response to questions, Sergeant Haynes made the following points:
· Quality CCTV footage was available on local buses which had proved effective in tracking down offenders. Plain clothes officers were also deployed on public transport.
· Robbery offences were down 20% on last year. Violence against the person had also fallen, in part due to police action at key times.
· Every burglary was attended by officers. However, the funds did not exist within the budget to send a forensic team to all offences.
· Going through bins was not of itself a crime. Residents were encouraged to dispose very carefully any sensitive information such as bank details.
· Taser use was often a valuable diffuser of a situation. Taking out the taser, without actually deploying, had helped to reduce the number of attacks on police officers. Statistics on taser usage would be circulated at a future meeting.
The chair enquired about what protocols existed between the police and local mental health hospitals for taser usage. Sgt Haynes said she would take that point back to Inspector Hynes for a response. The chair thanked Sergeant Haynes for attending.