MINUTES OF THE LEIGH-ON-SEA CRIME PREVENTION PANEL

Meeting held at Leigh Town Council Offices on Monday 22nd January 2007 at 7.30pm

Present:

Inspector D. Colwell Essex Police Western Sector

PC. S. Dewberry Essex Police - YOS

Town Cllr. P. Dolby Leigh Town Council & Secretary

Mr. J. Holden West Leigh Residents Association & Treasurer

Mr. P. Horrigan Assistant Secretary

Mr. M. Holland Southend District NHW Administrator

Mr. P. Jeffrey-Harland Westcliff and Leigh NHW

Mr. D. Johnson Vice Chairman

Mrs. R. Lowe Eastwood NHW

Mr. F. Smith Belfairs Residents Association

Mr. J. Taylor Chalkwell Residents Association and NHW

Cllr. C. Walker Southend Borough Council

Mr. J. Wayland Central Leigh NHW

Chairman – Opening Remarks:

The Vice Chairman took the chair and welcomed members to the meeting and congratulated Insp. Colwell on his recent marriage.

Apologies for Absence:

Mrs. I. Crosby Women’s Institute

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

New Members:

The Chairman introduced Mr. John Wayland, recently elected as area coordinator for Central Leigh NHW, onto the Panel. Panel members introduced themselves for Mr. Wayland’s benefit.

Minutes of Last Meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13^th November 2006 were accepted as a true record of proceedings with an addition that Mr. Taylor had raised an issue regarding unusual or fancy car registration plates and whether they were recorded by speed cameras. Insp. Colwell had confirmed that they were. The matter regarding untaxed vehicles on the final page of the minutes had not been raised by Mr. Taylor. The minutes were duly signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising:

It was agreed to deal with any matters arising under appropriate agenda items.

Correspondence:

None

Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer reported change to the panel’s finances which stand at £358.

Crime Patterns: Insp. Colwell reported -

• There have been a significant number of house burglaries in Chalkwell and the Westbourne Grove, Southbourne Grove, Kenilworth Grove areas of Westcliff. These occurred between noon and 7pm and involved entry by forcing open the front door. Small portable items such as CD’s and ipods were targeted but larger items including plasma screens were also taken. There are two different types - one on foot, the other using a vehicle, possibly a people carrier. A significant arrest was made in Chalkwell Park four weeks ago. A number of items of jewellery were on the person. Burglaries have subsequently eased in Chalkwell but not in Westcliff. On enquiry from Mr. Jeffrey-Harland Insp. Colwell advised that all types of door locks were targeted but generally the houses were not alarmed. The chairman added that residents should be encouraged to have mortise locks fitted as they are more effective.
• The Police recently launched operation ‘midwinter’. People are advised to be vigilant. For example, certain packaging left outside for recycling advertises new electrical goods to burglars. Householders are warned of the obvious dangers of leaving doors open and leys in locks which offer easy access to opportunist burglars.
• Car theft is on the increase in the Fairfax Drive/Westborough Road area of Westcliff and also in Leigh. Old Ford cars – Fiestas and Mondeos have been stolen. Theft of satellite navigation systems and number plates is on the increase. Portable SatNavs should be removed from the vehicle when not in use.
• Car crime in the car park on Leigh marshes has dried up.
• Warrants executed at two suspected brothels were very successful.
• Warrants had been executed at four suspected drug addresses in London Road, Leigh Road, Westborough Road and Rochford Road. These had been successful and arrests of probable dealers had been made.
• On enquiry from Mr Smith Insp. Colwell advised that instances of bogus callers had reduced but problems are reported from time to time. The last incident was about 6 weeks ago. Residents should remain vigilant.
• Neighbourhood Police Teams are holding regular surgeries in their respective areas.

Mr Holden advised that the HandyVan road show was at Leigh library on Saturday 27^th January and PC. Paul Tucker had a surgery there also.

Mr. Holland advised that the HandyVan scheme had removed the restriction that beneficiaries have to be of pensionable age. Eligibility is – 60+ years of age, cash savings of £20,000 or less, and resident of Southend. As well as high quality door and window locks, door viewers, door chains and smoke detectors carbon monoxide detectors are also supplied and fitted free of charge. Referrals may be made by telephone via Mick Holland, the HandyVan coordinator, on 01702 464199.

On enquiry from the secretary Insp. Colwell confirmed that the Transport Police were dealing with the incidents that led to the deaths of two youths on the tube line near to Barking station and that all four youths involved were known to Southend Police.

Mr. Jeffrey-Harland commented that it was tragic that memorials to immortalise this tragedy were being considered.

Cllr.Walker expressed concern for the train driver and those people who had to deal with the incident.

The chairman advised that he had been the recent victim of identity fraud. Only his name and address had been used but the perpetrators stole about £2,250 using the store card opened in his name. The Police had advised that he was not the victim as it fell on the store card provider to make good the money. It was generally agreed that insufficient identity checks were made by some card providers.

Insp. Colwell commented that cloning and credit card fraud was a significant problem and the advice from the Police is that unwanted personal documentation should be shredded and that credit/debit cards should not leave your sight when used.

Insp. Colwell advised that the ATM outside the Tesco Express in the London Road near Thames Drive had recently been discovered with a false front installed.

Mr. Jeffrey-Harland commented that ATM’s now had warnings displayed on them.

On enquiry from Mr. Smith Insp.Colwell advised that he was unaware of an incident at the Prince Avenue Tesco store at approx. 11am this morning.

On enquiry from the chairman Insp. Colwell confirmed that improved security measures at Southend hospital were working well. Hospital staff patrol regularly with PCSO’s.

Youth Report

PC Dewberry reported on the launch of the Respect campaign in Southend today. Southend had been chosen by the government and they were represented today by the Home Office minister responsible – Tessa Jowell. Government funding was going into SMAART as a direct result of Southend’s inclusion in this initiative. The launch was covered on regional TV and feedback from the public in the High Street was positive with many residents given questionnaires to complete.

PC Dewberry further reported that Southend had been chosen as one of the few Family Intervention Project schemes in the country. The project looks at working with the worst antisocial families in the town (max of 12 at any one time). Other initiatives include the SuperNanny scheme which covers the 5-18 age group and monitors prolific offenders to ensure that they are at school or work. If they are excluded from school initiatives have been started both at the Southend Rugby Club and on the allotments at Southend to involve them in community projects.

The schemes are supported by staff from various professional agencies, the Police and the local educational dept. Funding is supplied from central government.

Southend council’s ‘safer and cleaner Southend dept’ is involved at group meetings to show how graffiti crime adds cost and distress to the town.

Any Other Business:

The secretary confirmed that Blenheim, Darlinghurst, Edwards Hall, Fairways and Our Lady of Lourdes primary schools had signed up to this year’s poster competition. Confirmations were due from Earls Hall Junior and Eastwood and Westborough primary schools.

There is likely funding of about £300 courtesy of Leigh Lions and Leigh Rotary. Further funding opportunities have been pursued and the secretary will advise when more information is available.

The Lions have expressed interest in partnering the Panel in the future. Basically they will provide full funding and the Panel will match fund by way of administration. The Lions support local community initiatives and would like to ‘put their name to this project’.

It was agreed that this was a positive way forward and the secretary should liaise with the Lions with a view to commencing the partnership from 2008.

Cllr. Walker reported that £500 had been raised at the Remembrance Day events.

The Eastwood Memorial Hall had been subject to recent graffiti damage.

Mr. Holland reported

Ø He now deals with the despatch as well as the production and printing of Communicate. Labels are still printed at Westcliff station.

Ø Pub Watch will be launched in Leigh Road, The Broadway and Leigh Old Town in February. The launches are organised with help from Insp. Colwell and the Police licensing team.

Ø 121 bikes were recently tagged at the Central Library leaving 81 available for this Saturday’s event in Eastwood.

Ø 14.6% of the over 65’s are repeat victims of criminal damage, theft or burglary. Mr. Holland invited the Panel to work alongside NHW to tackle this. The Panel could create the environment to host road shows whilst NHW could provide the input. The Panel could provide venues, transport, invitations to community groups and refreshments. Perhaps two road shows each month with an audience of twenty.

After discussion a working party comprising Mrs. Lowe, Mr. Jeffrey-Harland, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Holland and a Police representative – to be confirmed by Insp. Colwell was set up. They will meet and report back with a recommendation to the next meeting of the Panel.

On enquiry from Mr. Holden Insp. Colwell advised that records of disturbance etc. at licensed premises were kept by the licensing team and he will ask Sgt. Matt Bell whether these can be disclosed to the public.

Insp. Colwell advised that residents should also keep a record of incidents and complaints. Noise complaints are kept by Environmental Health and residents should also check with them.

These records are used considered when license variations are heard or reviewed.

Date of Next Meeting:

Monday 5^th March, 2007 - 7.30 pm.

The meeting closed at 9.08pm.