Thursday, April 15, 2010

BIG REDUCTION IN BRIGG AREA CRIME

Insp Brett Rutty reported a 24 per cent reduction in overall crime when he delivered his quarterly report to the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel's public meeting in the Angel Suite. He also gave an update on the town centre Dispersal Zone and issued figures for police action taken against motorists abusing the pedestrian area. His review covers the six months October 2009 to March 2010.

By Insp Brett Rutty

Here in the Brigg and Wolds Neighbourhood, PC Jane Proud and PCSOs Lynsey, Lisa and Craig continue to work with local people and partners across the Neighbourhood.
Issues around driving, parking and cycling in the pedestrian area of Brigg are being addressed. Since action began to focus on this issue, 9 verbal warnings and 21 written warnings have been issued to motorists, 24 fixed penalty notices have been issued and one person has been reported for summons. The message does appear to be getting through and the team has noticed a significant improvement with fewer vehicles using the pedestrian zone inappropriately.
The Dispersal Order covering the centre of Brigg ceased at the end of March but patrols will continue and calls for service monitored closely. Young people will no doubt still continue to congregate and meet their friends in various locations around the town centre but their behaviour does appear to have improved.
The safer Neighbourhoods Team carried out a short perception survey of shoppers in the town asking how much of a problem they thought anti-social behaviour involving young people was. In March 2009 the survey showed an average score of 7.1 out of 10. When the survey was re-run in March 2010 the average score was 2.3.
Crime figures are for the last 6 months, October 2009 to March 2010 compared to the previous 6 months, April to September 2009.
Overall crime has reduced by 24% with Burglary to people's homes down by 28%.
Vehicle crime is also down, Thefts of Vehicle by 71% (8 crimes in the last 6 months against 28 in the previous period) and Thefts from Vehicle down by 27%.
Clearly this is good news but Burglary to people's homes remains a priority for the Division and none of us can afford to become complacent. Keep taking sensible precautions, locking doors and windows at home and ensuring nothing of value is left in vehicles as well as reporting any suspicious activity to the police.
The Neighbourhood Team continue to focus on and investigate Criminal Damage and during the last 6 months there has been a reduction of 12% in this type of crime (21 fewer crimes).
Incidents of Anti-social behaviour cause concern to the community and to the Neighbourhood Team. A lot of effort is being put into identify the minority of teenagers who engage in anti-social behaviour, identifying hot spot locations by monitoring calls for service and through community contact and targeted police patrols to those locations.
We have seen a reduction in calls for service for Anti-social behaviour of 23% over the last 6 months compared to the previous 6 months. This is very encouraging but we are aware there seasonal factors that can influence statistical information so Neighbourhood officers and PCSO's will continue to work with the community to tackle this issue.
Police Surgeries continue to be held across the Neighbourhood – full details can be found on the Humberside Police website and are advertised on posters locally.
Brett also delivered comprehensive reports on the three neighbourhoods outside Brigg which are beyond Brigg Blog's remit. We will be posting more from the meeting, notably public comments and road safety concerns in the near future.

1 comment:

Ken Harrison said...

Although I agree that vehicle tresspass into the pedestrian area has improve, the problem remains as issue.
In recent week's I have noticed seemingly more vehicles using the area as a thoroughfare, and/or drivers using their cars to access cash machines. Parfticularly, later afternoon - after 3pm.
On Monday afternoon, a 'L' motorcylist crossed the bridge into Market Place, sped past me at speed and nearly collided with an elderly gentleman in an electric wheel-chair meandering outside Scalani's chippy.
Yes, improved, but not yet perfect.

Presently, I'm in Cambridge and its is common for roads with restricted access to have raising bollards - authorised vehicles have an electronic sensor that lower the bollard into the ground,

Now, do I go for a row, or a punt at the Backs?