A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on matters considered at the last meeting and set out in the minutes or on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Minutes:
The following questions from members of the public were received in advance of the meeting:
Question 1: I was witness to gangs of youths on Monday 3/1/22 around the Rock area again, and on the Tram Station platforms Wednesday 5/1/22 openly rolling and smoking splifs with the obvious cannabis smell.
I've also taken my dog for a walk around Burrs park in Elton towards dusk this last 10 days where NO2 cannisters have been left in the car parking areas, again witnessing scooter riders and car occupants smoking cannabis.
Can you assure us that Bury retains a balance of active police based on the number of residents within the borough to ensure crime remains from what the plan says is low? Andrew Luxton
Councillor Gold advised that following the appointment of Stephen Watson as the Chief Constable for Greater Manchester, GMP have been undertaking a review of neighbourhood policing as part of their new Police and Crime Plan. Locally this is being led by our new Superintendent, Chris Hill, who is working with the Council to understand local need. This has included public consultation events and engagement through our Community Hubs. We will continue to review feedback from residents alongside crime statistics to make sure we keep all of our neighbourhoods safe.
Chris Hill, Superintendent advised one of the many priorities is anti-social behaviour and a means of tackling this is named Operation Saturn. Work is undertaken with relevant partners including TfGM, Councillors and the local Community. This Operation will continue in the Borough of Bury. In relation to drugs incidents, there have been an increase in the number of seizures of drugs which is a result of serious organised crime officers undertaking warrants and stop and searches by officers. Resources are currently being checked to ensure resources are reflective of the income in demand for each area within Bury.
The second question was submitted by Mr Berry who did not attend the meeting. In his absence Councillor Bernstein, Chair read out the question on his behalf.
Question 2: In 2016 it was very easy to Google and find detailed crime statistics in the 3 Radcliffe Wards I found detection and prosecutions rates were very low.
I can no longer find these detailed crime statistics. Can Bury council commit to ensuring that detailed crime statistics are easily and readily available online?
One major concern of mine is that under reporting by victims, is a major issue. How do they think this could improved to get more people to report crimes.
In response Councillor Gold, Cabinet Member for Communities advised that following the implementation of a new Police computer system the data that was used to inform the national crime statistics is not felt to be sufficiently reliable for publishing. Crimes were still being investigated but how they were recorded meant that the data was unreliable. Crime recording is the Police’s responsibility and we know that they are working hard to address the issues with the system so that accurate data can once again be made available.
With regards to under-reporting. This is a key issue that we’re looking to address through the new Community Safety Plan. During our recent consultation we heard from residents that they often weren’t confident in reporting crimes. Therefore in the new Plan we have developed a new priority ‘’creating and maintaining safe spaces’ which specifically looks to address this issue with the following stated aims:
· ‘Ensure that residents show a greater willingness to report crimes to Police and other services and think about how we celebrate our law-abiding Bury residents’
· ‘Create a mechanism, through the community hubs, for residents to provide ongoing feedback and intelligence about Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour’
Chris Hill, added that there is significant importance in local people providing information that informs where resources must be placed. Examples of this in practice is demonstrated by weekly meetings and placing resources in areas of immediate concern.
Councillor Bernstein, Chair of the Committee opened to questions from other members of the public who had not submitted their question in advance of the meeting.
Question 3: As a resident of Moorside Bury I regularly see lots of fly tipping, speeding and cannisters can be found. Can I ask what the Council is doing about these issues. Jill Budgen
In response Councillor Gold advised that street cleaning and fly tipping does not fall under his portfolio. He did advise fining of people fly tipping has been targeted and more people are caught. However, speeding does fall in his remit, and this is addressed within the Community Safety Plan. Councillor Gold advised Moorside Councillors can assist with the fly tipping matters in the area and the information of those Councillors can be found on the Council Website.
Chris Hill added that Road Policing Officers are looking to be increased across Bury to concentrate on hot spot areas to look at weight restrictions and speeding and the use of uninsured vehicles.