Agenda item

To receive updates from any of the following partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       Town and Parish Councils

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Inspector Andy Lemon and Sergeant Gemma Rutter provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       An overview for the local priorities in Melksham was provided, including the following areas:

o   Anti-social behaviour in Church Walk, Melksham – Work is being conducted with the local authority regarding a particular individual’s tenancy. Progress is being made, with enforcement patrols carrying on.

o   Bail checks, Melksham – There are currently 3 youths on bail for offences in Melksham. Work has been conducted with partner agencies to engage with the youths, but this has been unsuccessful due to a lack of engagement from the youths. The individuals are now subject to being on a tag and will be pursued through the courts.

o   Semington Bus Gate, Melksham – Patrols have been stepped up on the bus gate following community complaints. The police have been turning away cars, but this will eventually escalate to enforcement.

o   Keevil, Melksham – Patrols have been conducted for fly tipping in the area, with their set to be activity in this area in conjunction with the local authority and trading standards.

·       Detail was provided relating to year-on-year crime stats for Melksham including the following key points:

o   Violence is down from 2023, improving safer spaces in Melksham.

o   Criminal damage is being kept down.

o   Vehicle crime spiked in February; however this was the result of one incident in Bowerhill where 21 cars were broken into in one night by an individual.

o   Drug offending remains low and theft offending has declined in February 2024.

o   Burglary has shown as increase due to the three regular youth offenders.

·       Detail was provided regarding what work is being conducted regarding Melksham Traffic, with the report referencing successful speed enforcement incidents.

·       The direction of work for the next three months was outlined, with it noted that there was a new model for community response and that the police now had two new mobile police stations.

After the verbal update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       Cllr Mike Sankey publicly thanked the police team for their work, particularly with the work conducted on the Semington bus gate as traffic survey results had been staggering; therefore, it was important that action had been taken.

·       Inspector Lemon and Sergeant Rutter stated that if parish councils desired the police to attend their meetings, they could approach them and ask for their attendance. Cllr Seed expressed that this gives a great feeling of police involvement in the community and is appreciated.

·       Sergeant Rutter stated that a plan was being developed that would eventually lead to the creation of a monthly online meeting for parish councils to attend. This meeting would be online to encourage easy access, with invites set to be sent to clerks in due course. The possibility of having a separate meeting for organisations such as the Cricket Club was discussed.

·       Inspector Lemon drew attention to a Facebook live event, which took place in January with another set to take place in May as an opportunity for the public to present any concerns. Work has since been conducted from the information provided in January.

·       The Chairman thanked the police for their attendance and noted that the service provided had completely changed in a positive way from a year ago.

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

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

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

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

·       Community First

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