January Neighbourhood Update for Wycombe West

Thank you to all of those, who took the time to complete our neighbourhood policing priorities survey, voting on the top concerns from the community, that the Neighbourhood Team should focus on.  The results for the Wycombe areas were: 

1; Speeding 

2; Drugs

3; Anti-Social Behaviour

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Speeding

Operation Glare, our speeding enforcement operation, focuses on obtaining data for other Agencies to use in considering speeding measures, obstacles / furniture.   With all agencies having to reduce spending we really need to be able to evidence the need for road improvements.  The police will share data of injury accidents, and this will assist in supporting the need for councils to look at speed reduction signs (MVAS).  Where there is a higher proportion of speeding, we will look to conduct future enforcement at those locations and see if we can get the Road Safety Van sited there. 

Checks were carried out at the following locations:

Plomer Hill – three tickets issued, 27 vehicles checked.

The Pastures - two tickets issued, 32 vehicles checked.

Coats Lane – two tickets issued. 28 vehicles checked.

Cressex Road – one ticket issued. 32 vehicles checked.

West Wycombe Road – three tickets issued.  34 vehicles checked.

Our Road Safety vans and fixed cameras provide enforcement and a visual detent across the force.   The aim is to help support you to reduce the speed of traffic and make the streets safer for everyone.  Fixed site results for Dec: 890 offences.  Mobile site results for Dec: 240 offences.  Too truly make a difference with speeding, we need to make it seen as much as a taboo as drink driving.   You would challenge a friend about to drink drive so challenge them if they are speeding.

Speeding it is not worth the risk!

Drugs

In the last month there has been 20 crime incidents around drugs raised in the West side of town.  A common theme I am noticing is drugs being sent through the post.  

County Drugs lines, and local drug lines are a real risk to our youth.  If you think buying a bit of weed does not hurt anyone then think again.   Young people are being exploited and made to sell drugs for these gangs.  To start with this may make them feel included or cool.   Frequently it will lead to them being robbed, frequently set up by the very gang they work for, to put them in debt to the group.  Then when there is a shortfall, the violence will occur.  This then leads to young people carrying weapons to protect themselves.  We have a number of investigations around the exploitation of people that falls under modern day slavery.

If you think a bit of cocaine does not hurt, think again.  If you are in a relationship where you, or your partner, do cocaine then there is data to suggest you are at a significant higher risk of using violence or being assaulted by them.   

NOS continues to be an issue.  This drug is dangerous and has left a number of regular users paralysed.   I am now in possession of some NOS Signs, which show the damage that this drug causes. We have secured two NOS bins, and are awaiting final confirmation of where they will be sited, for people who want to dispose of, found cans safely.

Anti-Social Behaviour

One of the most common complaints we receive, is around parking, especially when vehicles are untaxed.  This month we have managed to get the DVLA out with us twice and focused on such vehicles.   The DVLA have a range of powers and on the 24th we were able to assist them with finding over 30 cars to be clamped and 120 vehicles to receive fines or warnings through the post.   

Another annoyance is, parking on pavements blocking the pavement, for pedestrians.  Three vehicles were ticketed for this offence by me whilst out and about.  PCSO’s do have a power to deal with this and are issuing fines a lot more regularly. This coming year we will be looking to work more closely with the Council Parking Enforcement to tackled problem areas.  Unfortunately a number of roads where not designed for the level of cars that are parking.

Modern technology, and the use of analytical data to identify the most likely ASB hotspots and times, is used by Thames Valley Police.  Currently data suggests that the town centre, Castlefield and Desborough are the most likely areas, where such problems are likely to occur. Officers have an App on their phones that will tell them if they are near such a location and they are encouraged to do foot patrols in such areas.   The results have been great in the Town Centre, where recent data showed High Wycombe Town Centre as the most patrolled Town in Thames Valley Police.

High Wycombe was the second location, in Thames Valley Police, to be chosen to use the new Facial Recognition technology.  It was interesting to see the reaction from the public.  With the majority happy that such cameras will be used to identify persons who are wanted for crime.  Patrols have been taking place in Castlefield, Oakridge and Downley following reports of ASB there. 

Last month I advised of problems involving the Y06 gang.  We have also discovered that there is a 112 Gang.   Last Friday the evening was spent attending the bus station and Flackwell Heath to prevent offences from taking place.   

All ASB cases are sent to the NH team, to review to see if there are any actions that we can put in place to resolve the problem.  Parking, land disputes, neighbours smoking cannabis and noise are the most common problems and often the best way to solve such issues is to use mediation services. 

In December there were nine reported ASB crimes, 6 which have been charged or ticketed, that include four breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, three public order and harassment cases, a drugs possession and shoplifting.   

Other issues

In the last 2 months there has been; 

It is in everyone’s interests, to live in a nice area.  Achieving this goal, is a community effort, that requires residents to look out for each other and remain vigilant.  Police will not always be around to witness suspicious or harmful activity, so we need you to speak up and report if you do see something concerning, whether it be for your own safety or someone else’s.  There are a number of different methods you can use.  Crimestoppers is the national anonymous reporting service for individuals who do not feel able to report to police directly, they can be contacted on 0800 555111 or via their website: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers.  You can also report information to us on 101 or at Home | Thames Valley Police.  For emergencies or if you or anyone else are in immediate danger, always dial 999. 

Keep those eyes peeled and stay safe.