Agenda item

To receive any updates from partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       POPCAN

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a verbal update from Inspector Al Lumley. An overview was provided of the performance over the last 12 months to March 2022, which included the following points:

·       It was stated that crime types and numbers within the Westbury area align with the rest of the force. There has however been a slight increase in crime across the force when compared to last year, which could be attributed to bounce back from the pandemic.

·       An overview of Hate Crime was provided, with there being concerning stats in relation to race related offences. It was stated that though it is concerning on face value, the Police are aware of the issue and working to combat it. Additionally, specific offences can be attributed to a small number of individuals and repeat victims rather than a whole community.

An overview of the local priorities for Westbury was provided, which included the following areas:

·       Drop-in surgeries – The Police continue to hold drop-in surgeries to allow people to speak to their local team, ask for advice and support. Times, Dates and Locations have been posted on Facebook as well as Community Messaging. New suggestions for locations were welcomed.

·       Thefts of Motorbikes – It was reported that there have been a number of motorbike thefts recently, with three people arrested to offences in Wiltshire (Marlborough). Some of the stolen bikes had been advertised as “for sale” on social media platforms; it was therefore advised that sellers take precaution following viewings or if the advertisement itself discloses the bike’s location.

·       Youth Conflict – Over the last quarter there has been a number of violent incidents involving feuding young men within the Westbury Area. The Police have been actively investigating these incidents as well as conducting patrols to deter. It was stressed that the general public are not at risk  as the attacks are targeted towards those involved in the feud.

Following the presentation there was time for the following questions and points

to be raised:

• It was questioned how many of the of the 80 hate crimes committed had resulted in a formal action taken, with it clarified that that this was a rate of 13.5%, which had dropped from 20%. It was suggested that this increase was due to an increase in willingness of the public to report, with crime more hidden in previous years.

• It was queried why people feel more comfortable to report crime this year than they did in previous years, to which Inspector Lumley stated that it was likely to be more of a result of cultural society change than a Police trend.

• It was queried by a member of the public whether the stats presented within the presentation could be broken down by demographic; to which Inspector Lumley stated that they could using state of the art systems to produce detailed trends and maps.
• Disappointment was voiced towards the increase in sexual orientation crime, to which Inspector Lumley assured that there are specific hate crime officers who have a focus on looking at locations and working with repeat offenders.

·       It was clarified by Inspector Lumley that a “Crib Call” is a 111 call that has been diverted to the Crime and Incident Bureau.

·       Cllr Dean asked whether there had been any developments since the last Area Board meeting regarding youths coming from Warminster and Trowbridge on the train to cause disruption in Westbury town centre. Inspector Lumley updated that this has not been apparent recently but the Police are mindful of the weather changing and people staying out longer into the evening. Additionally, it was stated that the local Police have close ties with the British Transport Police.

·       It was reported that in Dilton Marsh there has been a vehicle which has been parking closely to the junction on Park Lane. Inspector Lumley stated that it would be worth the Parish Council getting in touch with the Police as they would have the power to seize vehicles left in a dangerous position or would be able to knock on doors to discuss the issue with the registered owner.

·       Further examples of dangerous parking were cited, with it suggested by Cllr Gordon King that the Police could potentially take up a campaign on inappropriate parking for one of their priorities.

·       It was clarified by Inspector Lumley that Police officers carry Fixed Penalty Notice books with them whilst they are on duty, however distribution of these must be proportionate to what the force is trying to achieve.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda. Ben Fielding updated Members that Fire representative, Simon Todd had now moved on from his post and had been replaced by Nic Courtice. It was agreed by Members that an email should be sent to Nic Courtice to congratulate him on his new role and to welcome him to a future Area Board meeting.

·       BaNES, Swindon & Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BSW CCG)

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda. Cllr Gordon King stated that the CCG is due to be replaced by an Integrated Care Alliance on 1 July with interviews currently taking place for a new Chief Officer for the Alliance.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       POPCAN (Penleigh Park Group)

The Area Board received an update from Sheila Kimmins on behalf of POPCAN. The update covered the following matters:

·       On 31 May, POPCAN hosted a skateboarding event in Penleigh Park, which was well attended by families.

·       Work is currently underway to plan a pop-up fun day on 31 July, however this is still in its planning stages.

·       POPCAN is hoping to attract more members to join and will have a stand at the event taking place on 31 July.

·       Work is progressing well with 4Youth, with Sheila Kimmins meeting regularly with Tanya Tackle to exchange ideas.

·       Town and Parish Councils

Councillor Sheila Kimmins provided an update on behalf of Westbury Town Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       The Westbury Soapbox Rally was successful with over 4,000 people attending on a day with good weather.

·       Last Thursday a Jubilee Street party took place with over 200 children in attendance as well as older siblings. The day included old style games, the Trowbridge Youth Band and the cadets, who marshalled. In the evening beacon lighting took place.

·       The Town Council is waiting for the asset transfer policy from Wiltshire Council in order to assess the terms and conditions before making any decisions.

·       The next event for the Town Council will be the Chili Fest on 24 September, which is fully booked.

Following the update there was time for the following questions and points

to be raised:

·       Cllr Wickham noted that the atmosphere at the Soapbox Rally was electric, with positive feedback received from those in attendance. It was however stated that the bus services provided had taken time to arrive and then after only dropped attendees half way up the hill for the event. Sheila Kimmins stated that there were not enough drivers for the event and that the buses could not travel any further up the hill due to lack of turning space. Ideas are being considered to improve the transport if such an event were to take place again.

Councillor Suzanne Wickham provided an update on behalf of the village Parish Councils, with it noted that there are potential planning applications coming forward in Bratton, Edington and Dilton Marsh.