Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and to receive an update from NPT Inspector Mark Bownass, West Yorkshire Police, regarding Community Safety issues within the Inner West Leeds area over the past eight weeks and Detective Inspector Simon Atkinson will present a DVD on the use of capture houses and cars within the division. 

Inspector Mark Bownass introduced the report and then introduced Detective Inspector Simon Atkinson who gave a DVD presentation on the use of capture houses and cars within the division. 

The Detective Inspector informed the meeting that within West North West Leeds that the Pudsey, Rodley, Bramley and Armley areas had been identified as one of the hot spot areas on crime and that the majority of Council houses and private dwelling had suffered from crime.  Offenders were gaining access through unsecured windows and doors to steal electrical equipment such as laptops and play stations and on occasions were taking car keys and stealing the occupants cars.  The Officer went on to explain

how capture houses were being set up and the functions placed inside, some items which were stolen had tracking devices which meant the offenders could be tracked down within hours of committing a burglary on the capture houses.  A similar device was also used on capture cars.  It was also reported that 70 to 80% of burglars were tested for drugs as many of the burglaries committed were carried out to pay for their addiction.  The Detective Inspector informed the meeting that the Police Authority do try to work with these people to get them off their drug habit.

The Detective Inspector informed the meeting that they would like to set up capture houses and capture cars within the West Inner and West Outer area at one time and they hoped that the Area Committee would support a future application for capital funding to buy this equipment for this area because at the moment the equipment was being passed from wedge to wedge. 

In brief, the main issues raised were:

·  Members noted that there were a considerable number of people with a drug habit and a clear need to ensure that these drug addicts get access to detox programme much quicker as at present it takes six to eight weeks to get on a detox programme.

·  How much would the proposed equipment cost each Area Committee?  It was reported that the equipment would cost approximately £4,000 for each area but that eventually the cost would pay for itself in the quick capture of stolen goods.

·  The issue of racist intent had recently been raised at an ALMO Area Panel meeting as Black and Asian people were being targeted by local white youths and it was noted that the Police Authority were very supportive in curtailing racism in the area.  The meeting were informed that they do have Multi Agency Hate Crime meetings to try and combat the issue of hate crime.  At present they were trying to get an education awareness programme established and were trying to get a link with local schools in the area.

Inspector Bownass and Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Officer (West Leeds) also gave an update on Operation Champion which took place on the 19^th/20^th March 2009 on the Aviaries in Armley;  a Dispersal Order in the Cedars and an update on the Police and Community Together meetings in the Inner West area.

The Chair thanked officers for their attendance. 

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted. 

Note: Councillor N Taggart joined the meeting at 9.50 a.m. during   consideration of the above item.