Agenda item

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following written and online updates attached to the agenda:

·       BSW Together

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Sergeant Joe Sadowski provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       An outline of the Warminster/Westbury Neighbourhood Policing area was provided, with it noted that this was the largest area covered in Wiltshire including over 50 Parish Councils.

·       An overview of the Neighbourhood Policing Team was provided.

·       The Neighbourhood Policing Pillars of Engaging Communities, Solving Problems and Targeting Activity were discussed as well as the work which had taken place in each of these areas.

·       A Cadet Unit in Warminster was set to be set up with it hoped that this would be running by November and would be held at the Garrison Community Centre for those 13-16 years on Tuesday evenings.

·       Detail was provided about new mobile Police stations which had been acquired and would allow the Police to be more visible and conduct drop-in sessions in the rural villages with such sessions set to take place in early October. It was hoped that this would enable better working with Parish Councils.

·       A Local Parish Forum had been set up by Chief Inspector James Brain which would run four times a year providing residents a chance to hold the Neighbourhood Policing Team to account.

·       Detail was provided on the problem solving that was taking place within the Westbury Area, with problems noted including anti-social behaviour including a spate of graffiti that had taken place. Investigations were currently taking place with lines of enquiry leading towards a suspect with action to be taken.

·       Additionally, it was noted that were longer and hidden problems to be resolved including Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT). The impact of such hidden crimes was discussed as well as that guidance was set to be provided for residents to help identify such crimes.

·       The Police’s approach to proactive and targeted activity was discussed including searches in the past week that had led to arrests within the area.

·       The importance of reporting crime and incidents was stressed, with it noted that reporting incidents should be conducted using 101 and 999 for emergencies. The Police can then use data to effectively manage incidents and resources within the area.

·       It was outlined that there was an aim to build up the Shop Watch capability ahead of December.

·       Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Sheila Kimmins on behalf of Westbury Town Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       Gratitude was placed towards the Neighbourhood Policing Team for their work towards the problems with graffiti and rubbish bins. The use and impact of the upgraded CCTV system was discussed as well as how the clarity of the pictures produced enable the Police to identify suspects.

·       Last Saturday the Wiltshire Chili Festival took place with thousands of people attending despite the weather. Many stallholders also expressed an interest in returning both next year and to the Christmas event which would take place in the beginning of December.

·       A Post Office was set to be opened in Westbury on Friday 11 October following hard work.

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Alison Irving on behalf of Dilton Marsh Parish Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       Dilton Marsh had experienced issues with Escooters, with many people using them in a dangerous manner to go down lanes.

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Helen O'Donoghue on behalf of Edington Parish Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       Regarding the Gypsy and Traveller Consultation comments had been made by the surrounding villages with opposition to the small number of sites that had been opposed.

·       BSW Together

The Area Board noted a written update within the agenda pack.

·       Community First

The Area Board noted a written update within the agenda pack.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire.

The Area Board noted a written update within the agenda pack.