A verbal update will be given. Police attendance is subject to Officers on the evening.
Minutes:
Inspector Cottam – Neighbourhood Inspector for Bury South attended the meeting in order to provide an update on key police issues in Bury, as follows:-
· Key Figures – to April 2015
457 recorded crimes – of these figures there were 49 assaults, 48 (no injury) assaults, 28 domestic burglary, 38 (other premises) burglary.
· Noted increase in these crime due to change in the way the police
now record crimes.
· Spring Lane address – Anti-social/criminal behaviour incidents had
led to a number of arrests.
· Public order offences - 5 recorded incidents for male indecency. A case was on-going and listed for trial.
· Drug dealing – Close Park/York St – police currently investigating. Please encourage witnesses to crime to report incidents as they happen.
· ATM Barclays Bank, Radcliffe – scanning machines have been used. Please mention to others who may use this machine.
· Update from PCSO’s – incidents of youths using off-road bikes on the Coronation Road estate.
· Increases in reported burglaries in Bradley Fold.
· Increases in reported burglaries in Primary Schools in the Greater Manchester area.
The Chair invited questions/comments from the audience:-
- Cllr Preston asked about any incidents in Hamer Street area and Banana Walk. Inspector Cottam was unaware of any incidents around Banana Walk other than the historic issues of anti-social behaviour. There was no increased risk following the reporting of an incident of a serious sexual offence. This had been investigated and the case was now closed.
- Of the numbers of reported assaults provided, how many were cases relating to domestic violence? Inspector Cottam would provide this information at the next meeting.
- Were the reports of drug dealing in Close Park a new issue for the area? Inspector Cottam informed the meeting that this was not a new issue in the area. There had been incidents in the area as the Park provided a secluded location for such incidents to occur. Colette Jones informed the meeting of the concerns of local residents to these and other incidents such as the damage to the park memorial and the recent shooting of animals in the park. Residents felt that the lack of a Ranger Service in the park had led to the increase in these crime. Inspector Cottam reiterated the importance of those residents who witness any crime to report it to the police as soon as possible. A resident enquired as to the possibility of setting up a “Park Watch” scheme made up of local volunteers? The Chair, Cllr Briggs suggested that the Councillors flag this idea up with the relevant Council officers and report back at the next meeting.
- How many PC’s cover the Radcliffe area over the weekend period? The meeting was informed that there would be no more than 2 or 3 PC’s covering the Radcliffe area over a weekend. Any other additional police support would be a GM Police wide response.
- A member of the public present informed the meeting of a particular incident they had been involved in, as a victim of a crime/incident of anti-social behaviour where they had felt the initial Police response and subsequent Police follow-up had been completely inadequate and unacceptable. Inspector Cottam gave an assurance to follow up the issues raised and provide a response.
It was agreed:
That the information provided be noted.