Agenda item

To consider a report of the West Leeds Area Manager on the community safety issues in Inner West Leeds for the past six weeks.

(Executive Function) 

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report and Inspector Anwar Mohammed, together with Gill Hunter, Community Safety Officer gave a brief update on community safety Issues in the West Leeds area.

Inspector Mohammed reported on the following areas over the last three months:

·  No increase in general crime for the last eight weeks.

·  Considering that there had been Mischievous Night, Bonfire Night and

the onset of early dark nights during this period, there had been no increase in the amount of criminal damage.

·  A reduction in reported anti-social behaviour, compared with the same period last year. 

·  A number of buses had been attacked on Broad Lane causing criminal damage and it was reported that two people had been arrested.  The Police are working in partnership with the bus companies in the area on this issue.

·  A reduction in violent crime over the past eight weeks.  It was also reported there was a slight decrease from the same period last year, especially in the run up to Christmas period.

·  A decrease in theft from motor vehicles.

·  Burglaries had increased across the City and nationally due to the early release of offenders.  The Inspector felt that in order to combat this problem, it was a matter of using Police resources in the right places.

Inspector Mohammed reported that Operation Christmas Cracker had started in the North West Leeds Division this week and that a number of warrants had already been issued for properties on the Little London estate where a number of people had been arrested and five or six others charged with offences.

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Officer also informed the meeting that a great deal of environmental work had been carried out in the West Leeds area. 

·  The Probation Service had been working along side offenders who helped out with the children at Hollybush and they also worked as litter pickers.

·  Youths were invited to the Lazer Centre where they were taught how to ride motorbikes safely. 

·  Environmental Health did a great deal around private landlords and found that a number of houses in multi-occupation not registered and some of the properties were in disrepair which had not previously been picked up on. 

·  The lower end of the Wyther estate had been encouraged to set up a Neighbourhood Watch due to various acts of criminal damage in this area.

In summary the main issues raised were:-

·  Members suggested that regular briefings with Inspector Mohammed take place directly after Area Committee meetings.

·  Consideration should be given by the Police Authority to regularly update victims of crime who are often forgotten after they have been allocated a crime number for the incident.

·  Concern was expressed about the early release of offenders and requested an update on the proposed partnership scheme on the rehabilitation of offenders.

Members congratulated the Inspector on the regular attendance of Police Officers and PCSOs at community meetings and commended them for patrolling the Inner West Leeds area.  Concern was expressed that just as the community build a bond with the PCSO for their area they seem to move on.  In response, the Inspector informed the meeting that since the appointment of PCSOs many of them are now being trained as Police Officers.  The Police Authority are now trying to allocate the new recruits to the areas where they have already gained valuable experience during their time as a PCSO.

The Chair thanked Inspector Mohammed for his attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and Inspector Anwar Mohammed’s  

  comments be received and noted.

(b)  To note that an update on Operation Champion carried out  on the  

  21st, 22^nd  and 23^rd November 2007 on the Wythers and Raynvilles will be circulated to   Members of the West Inner Area Committee in due   course.

(c )  That the West Area Manager circulate a recent report  to Members  

  regarding the early release of  offenders and the proposed partnership  

  scheme on rehabilitation of offenders.