Agenda item

To receive a verbal update on Police performance from Sam Girdlestone, Chelmsford and Maldon Community Policing Team Inspector.

Inspector (Insp) Sam Girdlestone, Chelmsford and Maldon Community Policing Team Insp, from Essex Police introduced himself and advised he was attending on behalf of the District Commander, Chief Insp Paul Ballard who was unable to attend the meeting. Inspector Girdlestone then introduced Insp Emily Holmes who would be replacing him as Chelmsford and Maldon Community Policy Team Insp.

Insp Girdlestone drew Members’ attention to the Essex Police Performance Summary report, appended to Agenda Item 7 – Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update. He reminded Members of the current Local Community Policing structure, the 12 policing priorities to reduce crime and highlighted the Force Plan 2022 / 2025. Insp Girdlestone then provided a detailed presentation and highlighted the following areas:

·                Maldon Performance Summary – Over a twelve-month period to December 2024, the Maldon District had seen a reduction in all crimes and had the second lowest crime statistics in the county. Over the same period, dwelling burglaries had dropped along with theft of motor vehicles. Although Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and theft from motor vehicles had increased over the same period a steady decline was now being seen.

·                Tackling Speeding – The local policing team were working hard to address this, and work included daily speed checks across the district. Members were informed that there were a number of plans to deal effectively with speeding and one of these related to working with schools to get the local children involved. Insp Girdlestone reiterated the importance of reporting any concerns, incidents etc. Members’ attention was drawn to the website ‘traffweb’ which used data provided by the Police where you could enter in any road location and data relating to injury, collision etc. for that location would be shown.

·                Tackling Community issues – Dedicated Community Safety Engagement officers worked closely with the Tri-Services Officer and the Police in relation to all sorts of public safety areas, fraud awareness, dementia work and fire prevention messages. Work had been done in the Dengie to engage with the rural area, a regular event was being held in Purleigh along with further work around the busy town centres with businesses. Members were advised that planning ahead was important for the Community Policing Team looking particularly at holidays like Halloween and Christmas and ensuring plans were in place to prevent any ASB from starting.

Following the update and in response to questions from the Committee, Insp Girdlestone provided the following information:

·                Tru-Cam – In response to a question about how other Parishes got involved with this initiative, Insp Girdlestone advised to let him know and his team along with Officers from the Council will look at how they could support a Parish Council. He encouraged Members to get their villages to get in touch if they had a problem with speeding and his team would support them.

·                Speed Watch – Councillor S J N Morgan referred to being a Member of the Wickham Bishops Speed Watch and queried whether the policy that letters regarding speeding were not sent to people outside of Essex could be changed. In response, Insp Girdlestone advised that he would support this and was happy to send a letter requesting the change.

·                Holloway Road – In response to concerns raised regarding speeding, 40 mile per hour limit and lack of footpaths. Members were advised that the Police along with the Community Safety Partnership Manager raised any areas of concern on a regular basis with the Police Head of Road Policing to ensure meaningful actions were put in place, where appropriate. Road furniture and footpaths were the responsibility of Essex County Council Highways, however the Police would support any improvements to highway safety but it was reiterated that any issues needed to be reported.

·                Response times – Insp Girdlestone reported that he had invested in driving course qualifications for Officers responding to blue lights he then referred to Insp Holmes who gave reassurance that the District was getting more response courses than it had ever had before and she was confident that response times were the best they had been.

·                Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) – In response to a question Insp Girdlestone advised he was unable to provide details of ASB solved outcome and rates but would look into this and come back to Members.

·                Burnham-on-Crouch – Councillor L J Haywood referred to a question she had been asked to raise by Councillor W Stamp relating to recent ASB at the Burnham-on-Crouch train station, reference was made to reports of drugs and the need for more patrols. In response, Insp Girdlestone provided an update and reiterated the need for any incidents to be reported. Members noted that the Police had some good links with local schools and colleagues. Insp. Girdlestone advised that he would pursue the incident raised.

·                Shoplifting – It was noted that this was taken very seriously, and the Police had dedicated officer to try and help businesses resolve any issues.

The Chairman thanked Insp Girdlestone and Insp Holmes for attending the meeting and the presentation given.