Minutes:
PCSO Judge and PCSO Haq introduced themselves to residents present.
Next week is a National Policing Week focussing on ASB; this is already a priority in South Wigston but there will be an increase in Police work in the area including school visits and a focus on eScooters. National legislation around eScooters is still not clear and there is a cost to the taxpayer every time one is seized.
Residents asked how the Police make a decision around when to seize eScooters or when education takes place. Usually education is aimed at children / young people. Residents highlighted that eScooters are not legal on the public highway and yet they see fairly regularly parents using them on the school run including having children as pillion passengers. PCSOs do not have the power to seize eScooters but do pass information through to PCs who are empowered to do so.
eScooters are not illegal to own, and can be used on private land with the consent of the landowner. Retailers are not breaking the law selling eScooters which are usually displayed alongside a disclaimer.
Residents raised concerns with delivery riders for Deliveroo and other services using eScooters; the response to this falls in line with the above raised points around enforcement.
The fire risk around the charging of eScooters, and the inclusion of upgraded batteries, was also raised as a concern by residents.
Trial schemes for the use of eScooters in other cities were raised where the scheme is managed and insurance is provided, making the use of eScooters operated under the scheme legal in those areas.
If a pedestrian is hit by an eScooter rider they are covered under Dangerous Driving laws.
Residents asked for an update on Police staffing in South Wigston; this is currently 2 PCs and 2 PCSOs although 1 PC is currently on reduced duties and 1 PCSO is leaving in a couple of weeks. Residents enquired about a number of shop thefts where, when reported to the Police, the Police were unable to attend or had asked for CCTV to be provided instead of attending the shop. PCSO Judge spoke on how the Police call handlers grade calls received based on priority and risk, and how this can affect Police responding to lower risk incidents. It was mentioned that shops are not always forthcoming with providing CCTV evidence to support investigations.
Residents noted that in the last 5 years the Council Tax contribution to the Police has raised 29% and they do not feel they have seen an improvement. Victims are crime are providing good feedback to the Police which highlights that, whilst residents may not see an improvement, there are improvements noted by individuals engaged with the Police as victims of crime.
M Smith highlighted that 20 additional CCTV cameras are currently being installed in the Borough; these are redeployable units that will be moved around the Borough based on crime trends and operational need. The cameras can be live monitored when required, and the camera located on Blaby Road Park has proved incredibly useful in identifying a number of prolific ASB offenders in South Wigston. Families are generally supportive of the work the Police are taking to address ASB where their children are involved.
Residents raised concerns about an individual around the Marston Avenue area who dresses as a Deliveroo / Just Eat rider and tries car / van doors in the area; a plumbers van was recently broken into by this individual. Officers present were not aware of this particular offence but it was noted that it took place several months ago. This will be looked in to by the Police.
ASB reports have decreased by a huge amount.
Theft offences have reduced by 20% this month from last month.
“Non-crime incidents” such as neighbour disputes etc. have reduced by 30% since last month. This is a reduction of 5 incidents.
Public order incidents have increased by 1 incident this month.
There has been 1 incident in October of an individual possessing a weapon in public.
A report of a firearm was made to the Police, as a call of good intent, but there is no reason for the public to worry in respect of this.
PCSOs asked residents present what priorities they would like to see the Police address in South Wigston. Residents raised a blue trails bike alongside Lansdowne Grove and Waterside Gardens area; the Police are aware of this bike. The rider is travelling in from Wigston and the Police are taking action around this, and a second bike that is usually present.
There have been 3 speed gun sessions in Dorset Avenue in the last few weeks, and on the last occasion 8 vehicles were caught speed. Gloucester Crescent was highlighted as another location for speeding vehicles. The speed sign on Dorset Avenue was funded with County Councillor funds via Cllr. Boulter and can be relocated to Gloucester Crescent in the future. Speeding vehicles at this location were noted by residents as a concern at the start and end of the school day.
School parking on Cheshire and Suffolk Close at the start and end of the school day was raised as an issue which is getting worse; residents are concerned that emergency vehicles may be unable to get down the affected roads. The Chair highlighted that the County Council has two vehicles equipped to deal with problem parking outside school but these cover the entire County so availability is not great. The Police had their parking powers devolved to the County Council but can still address dangerous parking such as on street corners.
Officers spoke about the Message in a Bottle scheme and provided a small number of bottles to residents free of charge. Reflective “Be Safe Been Seen” bands were also provided alongside 30mph stickers for wheelie bins.
Residents expressed thanks to the Police for the work they are currently doing.
Safer Streets event – Brocks Hill. M Smith provided further detail about how the postcodes were chosen for the scheme and what will happen with the remaining stock following the event on 15 November.