Agenda item

UPDATE FROM THAMES VALLEY POLICE

To receive an update from Thames Valley Police.

Minutes:

Inspector 3330 Tracey Croucher introduced the item and said she had been appointed in her role in the last month. She was briefed by Insp Warbrick who had previously attended the forum, but was happy to continue to provide updates, to the Forum, as needed. She explained that based on previous report she could confirm the following as key updates:

·         Cycle theft was prevalent in Windsor, with one individual arrested and charged of cycle theft. Several stolen cycles were found at their address, and these cycles were returned to owner’s.

·         Ascot had a significant rise in theft of motor vehicles with one individual charged and in custody.

·         Thames Valley Police (TVP) area like all others had been affected by COVID-19 and therefore the crime figures were skewed compared pre COVID-19 periods. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions for the last 3 to 4 months, real crime went down as everyone was at home and off the roads. There was now a rise in crime, particularly violent crimes, due to reducing restrictions.

 

Tracey Croucher said Jeff Pick’s worked on the crime prevention through the Thames Valley alert, which was an online system that explained how crime could be prevented and information about the area. This included topics such as fraud prevention, particularly for vulnerable people in society.

 

Councillor Price asked if Tracey Croucher had replaced Louise Warbrick, and Members were informed that Louise changed her role to Problem Solving & Safeguarding Inspector, and Tracey took over Louise’s role.

 

Councillor Price asked if there were quicker response times when residents called 101, and Members were informed that there was still a message on 101 to use other contacts during COVID-19. Tracey felt the web form on the TVP website was and easier way of contact TVP instead of 101.

 

Councillor Knowles asked that as things returned to normal, how was TVP going to manage COVID-19 regulations compliance. Paul Roach, Windsor and Eton Town Centre Manager, said a working group was established in May 2020, and premises that did not comply to regulations were dealt with on an individual basis. Visits to premises by a joint team including the Licensing team and Tracey Croucher’s team have been and continue to be undertaken.

 

Councillor Knowles asked how non-compliance to regulations in shops and private properties was going to be monitored. The Members were informed that fixed penalty notices could not be enforced in private property’s but could be in public places and retail outlets. Engagement with the public was preferred, with education and encouragement, then enforcement as the last resort.

 

Councillor Knowles said there were perennial issues with anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the night-time economy (NTE). The Members were informed that TVP was working closely with the Borough, with an ever-evolving plan in place with more establishments such as pubs and restaurants opening across Windsor. With pubs and clubs being closed, young people needed to get out in places such as The Brocas and Cock Marsh.  Dispersal orders and other actions were put into place in open areas where necessary.

 

The Vice Chairman thanked the team for their work and asked if there was a view of more dispersal orders due to larger crowds in open spaces. The Members were informed that there was an increase of dispersal order use, with pre-emptive orders in places for high risk locations, as well as using social media to spread the word. Managing ASB at The Brocas was a difficult task and was part of a larger work led by PC Jay Patel, as well as neighbourhood wardens.

 

Tracey Croucher said the area was patrolled and there was a need to work together as a community to prevent ASB, or there could be a risk of restricting public access to The Brocas. The Vice Chairman said many residents interacted with the team’s staff and the social media messages were humorous and engaging.

 

Councillor Bateson asked if police stations were closed due to COVID-19, and Members were informed that front counters were closed for Windsor and Maidenhead and will be notified on social media when they were open. Councillor Price asked if there was a front counter at Windsor police station or if there was a buzzer and Members were informed that Windsor did not have a staffed front counter, whilst Maidenhead did.

 

Councillor Bateson was advised to visit Slough police station as both Windsor and Maidenhead were closed. The Chairman asked if Councillor Bateson should have visited another police station instead, and Members were informed that any TVP police station could be visited and their enquiry would be dealt with. However, there would be a delay if one was to go to a different force such as Surrey.

 

The Chairman requested for travelling officers to take note of the loud motor vehicle noise from exhaust systems, as the noise travelled a large distance and was a disturbance. He said there were cyclists on Prescod St, which was busy and asked for Police Community Support Officers (PSCO) and Community Wardens to be firmer with cyclists.

 

Tracey Croucher agreed and said cyclists on Prescod St were dangerous, with an operation taking place to target e-scooters and cyclists with educating on the safety concerns and move onto enforcement should education not be received. The Chairman said he would discuss with Paul Roach offline to notify cycling establishments that Prescod St was a cycling free area.