MINUTES OF THE LEIGH-ON-SEA CRIME PREVENTION PANEL

Meeting held at Leigh Town Council Offices on Monday 13^th November 2006 at 7.30pm

Present:

Cllr. Mrs. G.M. Horrigan JP, MBE Chairman

Mr. A. Brien Westcliff and Leigh NHW

Inspector D. Colwell Essex Police Western Sector

Mrs. I. Crosby Women’s Institute

Town Cllr. P. Dolby Leigh Town Council & Secretary

Mr. J. Holden West Leigh Residents Association & Treasurer

Mr. P. Horrigan Assistant Secretary

Mr. D. Johnson Vice Chairman

Mrs. R. Lowe Eastwood NHW

Mr. J. Taylor Chalkwell Residents Association and NHW

Cllr. C. Walker Southend Borough Council

Chairman – Opening Remarks:

The Chairman welcomed the members to the meeting and reported on the successful Remembrance Day events the previous day. Thanks were expressed to the Police for their presence and the way the events were conducted. The Leigh Orpheus choir had given an excellent performance which must have helped fund raising.

Apologies for Absence:

Mr. M. Holland Southend NHW coordinator

Cllr. J. Lamb Southend Borough Council

PCSO. S. Papagelakis Essex Police Community Support Team

Mr. F. Smith Belfairs Residents Association

New Members:

The Chairman introduced Mrs. Lowe from the Eastwood NHW to the meeting. The Panel members introduced themselves for Mrs. Lowe’s benefit.

Mr. Taylor advised that John Wayland had been appointed to replace David Buttimore on Central Leigh NHW.

The Secretary advised that Martijn van Gogh from the Southend Integrated Youth Support Service had agreed to join the Panel. Also, Stuart Nolan, a member of the Youth Council had expressed an interest to replace Tom Carlile as the Panel’s youth representative.

Minutes of Last Meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 4^th September 2006 were unanimously accepted as a true record of proceedings and were duly signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising:

The Secretary confirmed that he had written to the Southend Fund and the Fowler Trust regarding possible grant funding for next year’s poster competition.

Cllr. Walker advised that there had been no reply from the Home Office to his recent letter.

The Treasurer confirmed that a letter had been sent to Mr. Fraser, the Panel’s Honorary Examiner, thanking him for auditing last year’s accounts.

The Treasurer further advised that the new bank mandate was very near to completion.

The Secretary was concerned that Communicate was not being delivered to all interested groups. He had not received a copy since August. The Treasurer advised that WLRA had not received it either.

Correspondence:

None

Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer reported that current funds stood at £358.

The Chairman noted that these were insufficient to run next year’s poster competition and it is essential that further funds are raised.

Mr Johnson felt that the Leigh Rotary might help again this year and he will pass the contact details onto the Secretary.

The Chairman thanked the Treasurer for his work so far in pursuance of the new bank mandate.

Crime Patterns:

Insp. Colwell reported

• NPT’s were getting themselves known in their respective areas. This included monthly surgeries using different locations, attending meetings of NHW groups and residents associations and walking the beat. Eastwood, which includes St Laurence, hold surgeries weekly.
• More PCSO’s have been recruited which has resulted in the luxury of some doubling up.
• The Police are working in partnership with Southend Hospital where there have been many incidents particularly in A&E. A PCSO is working closely with hospital security staff many of which are accredited.
• Crime figures remain static. There has been a 10-12% increase in people brought to justice. The figures include cautions, fixed penalties and sentences through court procedures.
• The Halloween & Guy Fawkes period had been bad in Eastwood but OK in Leigh. This weighed on Police resources and overtime working had been used.
• In the two week period before Halloween the Police had initiated ‘operation spotlight’. This involved the Police engaging with young people on a number of initiatives. PC Steve Dewberry was closely involved.
• Truancy patrols have been mounted in the High Street
• Checks had been made at licensing outlets for underage drinking
• E Bay fraud was taking up a lot of Police time

Mr Horrigan expressed concern that alcohol could become more available to youngsters under possible EU rule changes on imports.

Cllr. Walker praised the Police for their work in Eastwood. PC Neil Gale was doing an excellent job. Service from the Chelmsford control room still left a lot to be desired though. Insp. Colwell confirmed that the Police recognised the problem and were looking at ways to improve call handling.

Mr Brien reported from Carlton Avenue area that a number of pot plants had been removed and smashed.

On enquiry from the Chairman Mr Brien advised that speeding cars were still a problem in Southbourne and Westbourne Groves particularly at the Westbourne lights.

Mr Taylor noted the number of untaxed vehicles parked on roads. Insp. Colwell advised that these should be reported to the PCSO’s who inform Cardiff and deal with towing away.

The Secretary advised that a fight had occurred recently in the Mariners and noted that Reds, a few doors up the Broadway, was now under the same ownership. Insp. Colwell requested more information as he was unaware of the incident.

Any Other Business:

Mr Taylor advised that Mick Holland was registering under the Data Protection Act. This solves the problem raised at the last meeting.

Mr Horrigan advised that Anglia TV had reported recently that communities in North Essex were recruiting their own PCSO’s. The costs of which will be met from council tax of parish precept.

The Secretary confirmed that he would contact Mick Holland again regarding distribution of Communicate and publication of crime figures.

Date of Next Meeting:

Monday 22^nd January, 2007 at 07.30 pm.

The meeting closed at 08.45 pm.