NorthShieldssummer

Inspector Geoff Cross

Inspector Geoff Cross Welcome to our latest newsletter which will update you about the work North Shields Neighbourhood Policing Team has been doing over recent months to tackle crime and disorder in your community.

This has been a busy time for the team we've been continuing Operation Iron, which sees a concentration of police and partnership work in a specific area for a week which helps us reduce crime and seek to improve the area.

We work closely with the community to identify the issues they want us to tackle from getting rid of graffiti to targeting particular types of offences. The feedback we regularly get from residents tells us this is the type of operation they feel works well. This is why we're continuing to roll it out across several areas of North Shields over the coming months.

We've been working with young people supporting young cricket players as well as the Girl Guides with their activities. But we've also been helping older people keep themselves safe from bogus callers by providing crime prevention advice.

People who enjoy a night out have also been given advice through the forcewide Northumbria Police campaign "Keys, money, phone, plans to get home?" which encourages people to think about their safety when planning a night out.

Crime figures

This time we have seen an overall increase in crime in North Shields. Crime has risen by 6% from April 1, to June 30, 2010 compared with the same period last year. This means there were 44 more crimes reported to police, up from 692 offences over the three month period in 2009 compared to 736 in the most recent period.

Although this is disappointing, we are determined to tackle this and we're working hard to turn the situation around.
But crime has continue to fall in some areas, house burglary has seen a decrease of 31% down from 35 crimes to 24, which is good news as we know this type of crime is one that does cause worry for residents.

I'd also like to remind residents to keep doors and windows securely locked, especially at this time of year to deter sneak-in thieves who can take advantage of an open door or window to steal valuables.
Youth anti-social behaviour has shown a small decrease down from 571 incidents to 560 and we are determined to keep focusing on this issue as we know it is of concern to residents, by targeting known 'hot-spot' areas with additional uniform patrols.

Car crime does remain a problem and this type of crime has risen by 19% up from 63 offences to 75, over the same three month period. This means we want to remind people to remove valuables when they park and make sure that vehicles are locked securely. If possible use a garage if you have one. Remember, if you do see someone acting suspiciously please call the police, your call could help prevent a crime.

Community meetings

If you want to find out more about how local officers police your community why not come along to one of our public meetings?

Look out for the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings across North Tyneside, where members of the community are invited to meet with their local officers and discuss any policing concerns. These meetings help residents to know who their local officer is and how to contact them.

Representatives from the local authority will also be present to deal with your queries.

You can also come along to an informal police drop-in surgery where you can talk to your local neighbourhood officer about any policing concerns you may have or to ask crime prevention advice.

Here in North Shields we're also taking part in joint estate walkabouts with police and council staff. Residents in North Shields are being invited to come on a new series of walkabouts in their community with Northumbria Police and North Tyneside Council representatives.

Check out forthcoming dates by here:

Operation Iron again proves its mettle

Operation Iron has again proved its mettle in North Shields with police making nine arrests during the week long activity.

Officer Operation Iron Linear Park s concentrated their efforts to tackle crime and disorder in Linear Park and surrounding area of the Meadowell Estate during the spring half-term initiative.

Officers joined forces with North Tyneside Council to clear up rubbish and remove graffiti to improve the parkland for local residents to enjoy. Inspector Geoff Cross said: "This was a very effective operation and we've had excellent feedback from residents.

This is one of our policing priority areas where we have also increased patrols to reduce disorder." A clean up day with Council Wardens in Linear Park, Brunton Street and Cricketers Flats and with the Waggonways Wardens netted four tons of rubbish, a drinking den and large amounts of graffiti being removed. Officers carried out a test purchase operation with Trading Standards officers.

Of eight outlets checked four were found to have sold alcohol to a 16-year-old girl. The staff involved each received an £80 fixed penalty notice for selling alcohol to a person under 18. Police also: Targeted adults who buy drink on behalf of children working with the council to find those responsible. Two men were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices. Officers confiscated alcohol from under 18s Police security marked 23 bikes and issued crime prevention advice.

Pictured PC Ivan Hart and CSO Kian Mokhtary in Linear Park with members of the public

Police provide spirit of cricket award

Cricket shield presentation

Northumbria Police has awarded a prize to promote team spirit and fair play among young cricketers.

More than 250 children from across North Tyneside recently attended the event organised by the 'Chance to Shine' cricket and North Tyneside Council's Widening Horizons 4 Sport initiative project held at Tynemouth Cricket Club in June.

Cullercoats Primary School's girl's team won the award which was presented by Chief Inspector David Felton and Inspector Geoff Cross.

Police also provided funding as part of the government's Community Cashback scheme which ploughs confiscated criminal assets back into community projects.

The 'Chance to Shine' cricket project run by Tynemouth Cricket Club previously received a £5,000 donation to pay for coaching sessions for young players. The scheme encourages team work and fosters the sporting spirit as well as the physical skills of the game.

Insp Geoff Cross said: "We were pleased to hand over the shield to the team which had demonstrated they know how to play fairly and as well as being great players and ambassadors for the sport."

Pictured left to right Inspector Geoff Cross and Chief Inspector David Felton presenting the shield to the winners Cullercoats Primary Schools girls team.

Injunction bans beach party over safety fears

North Tyneside Council supported by Northumbria Police obtained an injunction to prevent a huge beach party taking place at King Edward’s Bay because of public safety concerns.

An open invitation to the event had been posted on the social network site Facebook encouraging people to attend King Edward's Bay, the injunction prevents this from taking place.

This summer police will continue to carry out high profile patrols in the King Edward’s Bay area to prevent any disorder and to make sure residents and visitors can enjoy spending time at the beach without being concerned about anti-social behaviour or underage drinking.

Officers can and will confiscate alcohol from under 18s, if necessary, officers can also issue direction to leave notices to individuals they believe may be at risk of causing anti-social behaviour.

This means officers can prevent an individual returning to an area for up to 48 hours. If the order is breached the individual can be arrested.

The injunction, under section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972, forbids the organisation of a beach party on King Edward’s Bay or any other beaches owned and controlled by the council without first submitting an Event Application Form and gaining approval.

Bird box scheme takes flight

Girl Guides with bird boxes Girl Guides in Tynemouth have been building bird boxes with help from their Neighbourhood Policing Team, and local partners.

CSO Gillian Gray, who patrols Tynemouth Village and regularly meets youth groups, heard the Guides were looking to build bird boxes and rounded up some help to get the girls started.

The Guides told her they wanted to do something for the community and build the boxes themselves, but needed some help.

CSO Gray contacted local builder Tom Swan on Tynemouth Road, who donated timber free of charge, and Ritchie Barnes, a North Tyneside Council green warden, who had the 'know how' to give the Guides a helping hand.

The Guides built 16 boxes during their meeting at Manor Road in Tynemouth and then with the help of North Tyneside Council erected the boxes around the boating lake in Tynemouth.

Girl Guide leader Julia Dyer said: "The Guides really enjoyed making the boxes and like the fact the boxes are in their local park where they can keep an eye on them."

Pictured the Girl Guides and helpers with their bird boxes

Helping older people keep themselves safe

01/07/10 D1 -01 it takes seconds

Police and fire service officers have been visiting elderly residents in North Tyneside during the 'It takes seconds' initiative and offering safety advice. Police reminded residents to take a few seconds to check the identity of a caller to stop bogus callers coming into their home.

Fire officers explained that fire safety is important because a fire only needs seconds to start. They are offering home safety checks to make sure homes do not pose a safety threat.

Police and fire service officers recently visited residents at Skipsey Court, in Percy Main; PC Carly Zawodzinski and Community Support officers Dan McGarrie and Gillian Gray gave advice to residents about checking the identity of callers before allowing them into their home. While Community Fire Safety Officers carried out a home safety check for residents.

Chief Inspector Bob Ryan said:"It only takes a second to check someone's identification and this can save householders from unnecessary heartache.

"And if you are in any doubt about a caller - don't let them in."

Area Manager for Community Safety, John Baines, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Home safety checks are free and quick to carry out. It takes our Community Fire Safety Officers just 20 minutes to complete and it's time well worth spending."

Pictured CSOs Dan McGarrie and Gillian Gray giving advice to Skipsey Court residents.

Retailers get behind personal safety campaign

Retailers are backing Northumbria Police's campaign to boost personal safety. Keys. Money. Phone. Plans to get home?

"Keys, money, phone, plans to get home?" encourages people to think about their safety when planning a night out. The campaign is targeting revellers in night-life hotspots across the force area.

The safety messages are predominantly aimed at young women, and literature promoting them is being displayed in clothes shops, nail bars and hair and beauty salons.

Insp Geoff Cross said: "This campaign sends a clear message to help people stay safe when they're out having a good time. So we're pleased that our local retailers have come on board to assist us to get this important message across.

"Neighbourhood officers work closely with retailers across North Tyneside throughout the year to help their customers and staff stay safe and to prevent crime."

The campaign will run at several key times throughout the year, such as over the festive party season.

Hotels will distribute leaflets to visiting groups featuring safety messages, as well as directions back to their accommodation.