Agenda item

Open floor session with updates from partners, parishes and free flow discussion.

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Wiltshire Police – Inspector Gavin Brewster, Amesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT)

·       Town and Parish Councils – a chance for Town and Parish Councils to update

·       Open Floor – a chance for attendees to ask questions of the Area Board.

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following written or online updates:

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) online update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVJRnk705PM

The Area Board received updates from the following:

·       Wiltshire Police – Inspector Gavin Brewster, Amesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT)

Inspector Brewster advised that the previous Inspector, Ricky Lee, had been temporarily promoted to Chief Inspector, so he was covering the position and hoped that this would be for a while. 

The Inspector highlighted that burglaries were a priority for the force. Figures showed that they remained stable, and most of the issues were related to theft from outbuildings, such as garages and sheds, or were related to rural crime, such as theft of agricultural equipment and plant machinery.

Retail and Business crime was another priority with a focus to work more closely with businesses. A quarterly meeting had been set up with retailers to try to problem solve around regular offending such as theft and Anti Social Behaviour (ASB).

ASB in public spaces was also a priority. There had been a slight increase in ASB prior to the Inspectors arrival, which now seemed to have stabilised. However, there had been an incident the previous evening of ASB involving youths at the Kings Gate estate by the pavilion. This was on the teams’ radar, and they would focus some patrols in the area. In addition, some of the youths had been identified and the team would speak to their parents. Furthermore, the team would try to arrange for the mobile police station to attend the area so that the people could speak to them regarding their concerns. In Durrington and Larkhill there had been previous concerns regarding the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). That situation had settled down. There had been a slight blip in ASB over the half term, but that was fairly standard. Avon Valley School had been extremely helpful, and assurances were given regarding the situation.

Rural crime was a priority, including issues such as poaching and hare coursing. A large operation had taken place to disrupt this. The police were working with the farmers and the military to try to prevent this. In addition, they were trying to prevent rouge Green Laning, (driving or riding on unsealed public roads or public rights of way), as issues were caused when people came out on mass and went off road as well. This was difficult to address, by the nature of the vehicles being used, such as quad bikes, motor bikes or 4x4’s.

An attendee reported incidents in Kings Gate where youths had been kicking doors and queried if the police were aware. They would try to get further details and forward that to the police. In addition, some residents parking in Kings Gate and Archers Gate could be an issue, as they were badly parked and could block access. This had happened previously, and a police leaflet door dropped to affected areas seemed to help. It was queried if this could be undertaken again. The Inspector stated that they could talk further outside of the meeting and that he would ask about actions which had previously been undertaken.

Carolyn Taylor, a Wiltshire Council Resident Engagement Officer stated that it was really good to have PCSO Levi Morphy back on the beat and out in the community.   

An attendee queried if it was possible to have more foot patrols under the current budget constraints. The Inspector advised that they do go out on the beat as this was a main part of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams role. They would of course like to do more, but as highlighted there were constraints as to how resources were used. It was felt that the service in the area was actually quite good.

·       Open Floor

There were no updates or questions from Town and Parish Councils or attendees.