You may remember that in Decembers’ issues we informed you of the Brampton NPT Christmas Campaign which outlined initiatives we were taking on the run up to Christmas and New Year to try and raise awareness of safe and responsible drinking. This, we hoped would help in a reduction of violent crimes and anti social behaviour.
I am pleased to inform you we have just received figures from our analyst which show a decrease of 46.6% (39 incidents compared to 73 for the same period last year) of anti social behaviour.)
This is a fantastic result and we would like to commend the community for embracing this initiative. Feedback from licensees of local public houses was extremely favourable welcoming the extra police attention not outside the pubs but inside talking to the customers as well.
Police and crime and disorder reduction partnership work closely with other professionals to prevent crime and protect members of the public from harm. Police at Brampton have personal attack alarms and 'spikeys' that protect the mouth of bottles to stop others from interfering with it. These are particularly good for young people and those who are at risk of having their drinks spiked, such as those who attend parties or busy pubs and clubs. If you, or someone you know would like one of these items please call into Brampton police station and receive them free of charge
Police presented Jamie Minnett and Matthew Fordyce with a Police commanders merit for delivering community football to young people over a number of years. Jamie Minnett is employed by Riverside housing but delivered this project outwith his working hours and Matthew Fordyce gave his services voluntarily. Both delivered football to young people in the Brampton NPT over the school summer holidays of 2011. It is intended to deliver the same football initiative to the towns within Brampton policing area in the school summer holidays of 2012.
After the success of the launch of Houghton ‘No Cold Calling’ campaign in December last year, Police are working with Trading Standards to identify other areas which may benefit from such a scheme. In addition to this all four PCSO’s based within the Brampton area are actively contacting all senior citizen groups within their area offering to give presentations and give security advice to prevent the most vulnerable in our community from being targeted by sales persons using high pressure tactics and intimidation. These presentations are starting during Confidence week commencing 13th February.
If you are part of any such group and would like to receive some free advice please contact 101 and ask to speak with the PCSO who covers your area. Details of the PCSO and E mail address can also be found at the top of this newsletter.
If you receive any cold callers at your door and are a bit suspicious about them or are not happy with any pressure or sales tactic they use please immediately contact the Police on 101 or Consumer Direct on 08454040506 and Trading Standards will check them out. Help protect the community from Bogus Callers.
Longtown
Crime issues in Longtown and area. Over the past month Police have investigated a Burglary during which diesel and a pressure washer was stolen from an Industrial premises on Longtown road, a burglary and theft of food stuffs from a house in Longtown, damage to the Bothy at Kershopehead where someone has caused fire damage, burglary with intent at Houghton School, damage to field gate and fence at Low Harker theft of slates from Harker and a nasty assault which occurred in Lovers Lane Longtown during the early evening of 22 January where a man on a mobility scooter was attacked and left injured, after the attack it was discovered that his mobile phone was missing.
If anyone has any information about any of these incident or any other information please contact the police on 101 or crime stoppers 0800 555111
Other crime updates-The residents of Longtown was shocked when an attack was made on birds on the Longtown allotments in June 2011. A number of these birds were killed and others suffered horrendous injuries.
After extensive enquiries a local man Rikki Morrow appeared at Carlisle MC on 12th January and was found guilty of the offences. He is due to be sentenced in February.
On Wednesday 11th Jan, PCSO's Pete Aiston and Carly Watson along with PC Mike Fordyce held a street safe in Longtown. They were supported by members from Cumbria Fire and rescue, Neighbourhood Watch, Connexions, City Council and Riverside Housing Assoc. Between the hours of 5pm and 7pm we walked around the areas of Moor Road, Lochinvar Close and Raefield in Longtown knocking on doors and asking residents if they had any issues or concerns they wanted to tell us. We also asked their thoughts on the proposed bmx/cycle track in Longtown. . Everyone agreed that in principle it was an excellent idea, however there were some differing views as to the best location. Agencies will continue to meet and discuss the options. It was a successful evening with nearly 100 houses visited and we were all well received by residents in Longtown. Below is a break down of the results from the street safe. Residents of Raefield told us there are problems with dog fouling and Anti Social behaviour on the small play park. Residents of Lochinvar Close told us there are problems with dog fouling, littering and fly tipping. Also some Anti Social behaviour with vehicles being damaged. We will work in partnership with the local council and authorities to tackle these problems. Watch this space to see how we get on in the coming months.
Alston
Crime updates- crime, as in other areas of Brampton NPT remains relatively low in Alston. During the month of January Police have been called to Theft of alloy wheels from a commercial garage in Alston and an attempt burglary at a private garage but no access was gained.
Concerns have been raised regarding the continuing provision of Traffic Alerts on the Cybermoor site. PC Paul Crabtree when based at Alston police station volunteered to provide a service to check roads and provide road condition information for anyone signed up to the Cybermoor site. We are aware that this provided valuable information to the residents of Alston and surrounding areas. We are currently looking to continue with the traffic alerts with assistance from volunteers from Alston community.
Brampton and surrounding area
Crime issues- Over the last month police have attended a small number of crimes in the area they being criminal damage to house windows in Corby Hill, theft of cooking oil from Ruleholme, theft of a rabbit from its hutch at Cumwhinton, theft of a field gate at Tindale and damage by fire to two cars on a driveway at Hayton and theft of a Quad bike from Walton.
If anyone has any information about any crime please contact 101 or crime stoppers 0800 555111
PCSO Carly Watson has been successful in a funding bid to secure money to take some youngsters from the Brampton NPT Ice Skating on 15th February. As well as continuing to build communication and confidence links with the young people of the area this is also a thank you message to young people for the dramatic reduction in Anti Social behaviour over the year in the area. December figures alone show a decrease of 52.4% in youth anti social behaviour.
On Tuesday 14th February PCSO Watson will be holding a meet and greet in the Community Centre at Brampton, here she will be available to discuss any issues you may have, please feel free to pop in and say hello. On 23rd February at 1245 hrs again at the Community Centre Carly will be giving a presentation on bogus callers. This is in conjunction with Age UK but please feel free to attend.
The safety message continues this month with personal safety talks to youth groups such as Brownies by PCSO Tracy Watt and Carly Watson. If you are a member or involved in the organization of any such group and would like our PCSO's to give a presentation or even just pop in for a chat please contact 101 and ask to speak with the PCSO for your area.
Caldew
Crime issues –crime in Caldew area continues to remain at a low level however every crime is one too many and has an impact on the victims. Police have been called to an attempt burglary at a barn in Wreay, fortunately excellent security measures prevented thieves from stealing anything. Mindless damage was caused to a shed owned by Dalston Bowling club as well as damage to the door the childrens toys housed within were strewn across the green. Heating Oil was stolen from a tank at Monkhill.
PCSO’s Emma Tonge and Carly Watson along with Crime scene investigator Ian McCrone attended a WOW (World of Work) day at Caldew school 18 Jan. This day was an event to give students an insight into various jobs and highlight the skills they would require. In addition to the police, a variety of local businesses attended the event. A number of year 9 students were given a glimpse of life as a police officer. Feedback was very good and events like this go along way to building confidence between the young people and the police.
