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Welcome to PCSO Claire W Whitwam, previously pounding the beat at Newsome seen here with Kirkheaton's PSCO Sarah Conderson [on left]

 

Important Notice for all Kirkheaton households Nov 2011

There has been a recent and noticeable increase in the number of burglaries in the Kirkheaton area of Huddersfield which would appear to coincide with the clocks going back.

Offenders are specifically targeting sheds and garages, resulting in the theft of mountain bikes, and uPVC door locks to gain access to houses to steal car keys and high value cars.

DC Lock, from Dewsbury CID, is appealing for information to identify those offenders in order to gather information, secure evidence and bring the offenders to justice.  This will help support an on-going initiative supported by the local Neighbouring Policing Team to disrupt those involved and reduce the number of offences.

Residents are being asked to support this initiative and should be mindful to keep all valuables out of sight, keep vehicle keys away from doors and windows and look at obvious ways to improve security measures.

Security information can be obtained from both the Crimestoppers and West Yorkshire Police websites.  Alternatively Crime Prevention Officer, PC Mark Wall, can also be contacted via the new non-emergency number 101 then ask for extension 38839.

Any information can be provided directly to DC Lock on 01924 431095 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

When to call 101?

You should call 101 to report less urgent crime and disorder or to speak to your local officers.

For example, you should call 101 if:

• your car has been stolen
• your property has been damaged
• you suspect drug use or dealing in your neighbourhood

Or to:

• report a minor traffic collision
• give the police information about crime in your area
• speak to the police about a general enquiry

101 is being introduced as part of the government's wider work to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999, and help to efficiently and effectively tackle crime and disorder.

What is the difference between 101 and 999?
You should continue to call 999 when it is an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened.

What does it cost to call 101?

Calls to 101 (from both landlines and mobile networks) cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day you call, or how long you are on the phone.

Everyone calling the police for non-emergency matters will now know exactly how much a call will cost them, and can be assured of equal access whether they are on a pay-as-you-go mobile or a home landline.

Who will answer my 101 call?

Calls to 101 are answered by police call handlers in the control room of the local police force. This ensures that staff with local knowledge can answer and deal with the calls and respond appropriately.
You will not be put through to a large national call centre.

When you call 101, the system will determine your location and connect you to the police force covering that area. You will hear a recorded message announcing the police force you are being connected to. If you are on a boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message will give you a choice of which force to be connected to.

I am deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, can I call 101?

Yes, you can textphone 18001 101.

What if English is not my first language?

Your local police have access to professional interpreters so they can quickly translate your call if you have difficulty speaking English.

What about reporting general nuisance or environmental issues?

You should continue to call your local council for things like:

• reporting graffiti
• dog fouling
• abandoned vehicles
• dumping and fly tipping
• vandalism
  

 

MINUTES FOR DALTON COMMUNITY MEETING Wednesday 16th November 2011

Date of meeting:                   Wednesday 16th November 2011
                                           Cottage Homes, Waterloo, Huddersfield

Number of residents attended : 15 residents and Cllr Parchment

Police attended:                    PS 2240 Brown,
                                          CS 958 Whitwam
                                          Jennifer FOSTER
                                                                                
MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING (5TH October 2011)
These were summarised by PS Brown and that the local priority agreed was to address reports of crime through targeted patrols in the Kirkheaton area.  This had been identified because of the notable increase in vehicle crime and burglaries. 

In relation to actions from the last meeting;
Cllr Preest to make an enquiry with the Council as to whether any street signs exist or could be produced advising cyclists to not use the pavements.  Cllr Preest is on holiday and no specific up-date could be given.  This will be reported on at the next meeting.

Cllr Preest had agreed to speak with a resident present the October meeting for further enquiries that could be done to address the issue of youths gathering in the snicket between Heaton Moor Road and Moorside Road.  It was agreed that this issue of the snicket would be addressed by the Neighbourhood Management Group (NMG) meeting on 24th November.  Up-date to be provided at next community meeting on 19th December.  The area has been surveyed and is too narrow for a barrier.  The NMG meeting will look at CCTV being installed there as the area is still of concern to some residents.

PS Brown to make enquiries with Fresh Horizons re suggestion from a resident that they may install CCTV in a high crime area.  This enquiry was made and it was confirmed this is not a service that they do.

UP-DATE ON CRIME ISSUES

PS Brown provided an up-date in relation to crime trends in the Dalton Ward.  Since the last meeting there had been a noticeable decrease in burglary and vehicle crime in the Kirkheaton area, although there had been further offences from 9th November.  (Two of the three most recent theft from motor vehicle offences were where property had been left on display).  Reference was made to the introduction of two new neighbourhood watch groups having been set up in the Kirkheaton area.  PS Brown outlines pro-active patrols, plain clothes patrols and re-assurance patrols that had been made in the area since the last meeting.

Reference was made to three persons arrested in relation to the burglary at Kirkheaton Cricket Club who are currently on Police bail.

There had been no reported street robberies since the last meeting.

Attendees at the meeting raised concern in relation the increase in vehicle crime in the Dalton and Waterloo areas.  Crime details were given and PS Brown confirmed there had been a significant increase in vehicle crime in the Dalton area.  In the period 5/9/11 to 30/10/11 43% of all vehicle crime happening in the Huddersfield South area was in Dalton ward.

UP-DATE ON OTHER ISSUES

PS Brown highlighted that the Neighbourhood Policing Team are working closely with Partner agencies.  Residents were asked to forward any information in relation to the sale of cigarettes and alcohol to persons under age and that this would be dealt with.  It was pointed out recent prosecutions had been made in respect of this in Holmfirth, Lepton and the town centre.  Information in relation to Immigration offences and selling of cigarettes and alcohol with no duty paid can also be actioned by the Police and Partner agencies.

Schools parking – The Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working closely with local schools to educate parents to park safely on the school run and patrols had been carried out, notably at Kirkheaton.  Much concern was raised in relation to this in the Kirkheaton and Dalton areas.  Residents suggested some of the schools may wish to adopt a name and shame board in the schools. 

PUBLIC CONCERNS RAISED

Concern was raised in relation to street robberies taking place in the snicket between Cow Heys and Tesco and that people were afraid to report these.  Mobile phones were being taken.  The victims are mainly 15/16 year olds.  PS Brown highlighted that there is a specific Police robbery team who deal with robbery offences and have had some recent arrests of note and offences detected.  As such people should be encouraged to report the crimes.  PS Brown stated she would ensure the robbery team were made aware of this information.
ACTION – Neighbourhood Policing Team to mark this area for daily patrols as part of their daily patrol plan.
ACTION – NMG to discuss moving CCTV camera to that location.

PUBLIC CONCERNS RAISED THROUGH OTHER MEANS: None

NEW PRIORITIES SET

It was agreed that in view of the current crime trends the priority would remain for Kirkheaton and be to;

1) Address reports of crime through targeted patrols in the Kirkheaton area

2) Address dangerous parking at school drop off and collection times through educating parents and targeted patrols.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Dog Fouling – this is of concern to the residents in Kirkheaton and Dalton.  Children in Kirkheaton going to school have had to step in the road to avoid it. 
ACTION – PCSO Conderson / Whitwam to liaise with dog warden regarding extra patrols and leafleting in the areas and speak with Kirkheaton Parish council who have work on-going to address this.

Kirkheaton  Doctors surgery – people gathering in the corner of the car park smoking cannabis. 
ACTION – Patrols to be made by Neighbourhood Policing team.

Waterloo Road, Westbrook Drive – re-assurance patrols in relation to vehicle crime.
ACTION – patrols by Neighbourhood Policing Team.

NEW non-emergency number – from Thursday 17th November the number to ring for a non-emergency is 101.  This replaces the 0845 6060606 number.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

MONDAY 19th December at 6.30pm
Kirkheaton Church Rooms, (next to the Beaumont Arms)
Church Lane,
KIRKHEATON

Neighbourhood Watch Information Evening 18th October
Around about 30 people braved the wet and windy weather to go to the United Church to find out more about the Neighbourhood Watch scheme [NW] David Whitteron [Liaison Officer] spoke of what exactly a NW scheme was and how to set a group up. Sarah Conderson [our PSCO] spoke about her role in the village and the value of PACT.
Hopefully it will be the start of many new NW groups in the community as many of the people there were enthusiastic and wanted to canvass opinions on their streets.
Anyone unable to attend the meeting but is thinking they would like to start a NW group in their street can contact David on 01484 436840

What is Neighbourhood Watch?
Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary crime prevention group in the country.  It is based on the idea of communities coming together to reduce crime and increase community cohesion..

History of Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch was first introduced in the UK in 1982.  Police Officers visiting Chicago USA saw the benefits that such schemes were having in the community and decided to pilot it in the UK.  The first Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was launched in Mollington, Cheshire and after a successful trial was expanded throughout the country.
West Yorkshire Police launched Neighbourhood Watch in 1985 and since then it has gone from strength to strength.  We now have over 6000 schemes across the county.

Benefits of Neighbourhood Watch

People join Neighbourhood Watch for many different reasons, whether it is to improve safety around their home or to become part of a group and meet new people.  It is widely regarded that being part of Neighbourhood Watch can:

• Reduce / prevent local crime and disorder
• Reduce fear of crime
• Address issues relating to anti social behaviour
• Create safer neighbourhoods
• Build community spirit and cohesion
• Reassure members of the public
• Enhance partnership working with other community groups
• Assist in the detection and apprehension of criminals through members providing information to the police
• Improve quality of life and the local environment

How does Neighbourhood Watch work?

Neighbourhood Watch schemes vary in size and geographical area.  Some schemes may consist of only a few houses covering a street or cul-de-sac, whilst others may extend to an entire estate.  Residents meet on a regular basis either every couple of weeks or every month to discuss ways in which they can tackle low level problems relevant to their area.  Neighbourhood Watch groups are not expected to act as anti vigilante groups patrolling the streets, but are encouraged to be attentive towards any suspicious behaviour.  Neighbourhood Watch Schemes often run campaigns promoting crime prevention advice that can be adopted by the average household, such as fitting extra locks and making sure that windows and doors are locked at all times.

How to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

• Contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npt) to find out who your local Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer is, who can provide advice and assistance on setting up a scheme.
• Speak to your neighbours and find out whether other neighbours are interested in forming a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) scheme.  Whilst there is no official restriction on the number of households in a scheme, a successful scheme will operate with between 5 and 10 households.
• Arrange a meeting, inviting all those who want to be involved in Neighbourhood Watch.  This could be at a designated home, community centre or even the pub.  The NHW Liaison Officer or Police representative will be present at this initial meeting in order to explain how Neighbourhood Watch operates.
• Select a Co-ordinator for the NHW scheme, who will act as a point of contact with the Police.