Northumbria Police

Neighbourhood priorities

Northumbria Police aims to meet our commitment to you.

The following Neighbourhood priorities relate to your area:

1. May 2012: Anti-social driving by young drivers in Alnwick town centre.

"What you told us"

Concerned residents in the Narrowgate/Bailiffgate and South Road areas of Alnwick contacted the neighbourhood policing team by e-mail, letter and through their MP Alan Beith.

The main concerns in each of these areas was the speed, noise and apparent disregard for the quality of life of local residents by a small number of drivers in the town centre.

Officers continue to liaise with residents and community contacts in a bid to identify offenders.  This will continue throughout 2012.

"What we are doing about it"

Officers gathered intelligence to identify the main offenders and a concerted period of activity followed using road traffic law, anti-social behaviour legislation and the powers of local housing associations.

Anti-social driving in Alnwick became a local neighbourhood priority with all staff tasked to look at the issue and target offenders.

Officer activity is monitored daily by the Sector Inspector and Neighbourhood Sergeant while the local Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC David Brown became the single point of contact for the worst affected residents.

Residents are encouraged to contact police when offences are occurring with as much detail about the offending vehicles as possible.

"Keeping you informed"

Since the operation began the following results have been achieved

- 70 vehicles stopped

- Ten drivers reported for summons for road traffic offences.

- 13 issued with defect rectification notices (14 days to rectify the defect or face prosecution).

- Eight drivers warned under Section 59 authority (if the driver comes to notice again, the vehicle will be seized).

- One Fixed Penalty Notice issued.

- 25 no further action where advice given but no offences disclosed.

Throughout April 2012 - main offenders have been identified and actively targeted. One of the main offenders has had his vehicle seized and impounded twice since the beginning of March 2012. He was arrested in early April 2012 for driving with excess alcohol. He is to appear in court in May.

A residents' meeting is planned with the neighbourhood team to discuss their concerns around anti-social driving.

2. May 2012: Speeding drivers in rural villages.

"What you told us"

Residents, neighbours, local councillors and attendees to public forums identified an issue of motorists driving at speed on rural roads causing a danger to local residents.

"What we are doing about it"

A community speed watch initiative began in 2011, using police volunteers.  The scheme will hopefully be rolled out across Alnwick Sector. Working closely with the neighbourhood policing team speeding drivers will be identified in rural villages. 

"Keeping you informed"

Operation Weekender has begun in rural communities with officers from the Road Policing Unit supporting this neighbourhood initiative by targeting the worst offenders who speed through our villages. Specially trained officers using performance cars and specialised speed detection equipment will carry out high profile patrols particularly at weekends to both deter and prosecute offenders.

3. May 2012: Underage drinking leading to anti-social behaviour in Alnwick and Amble.

"What you told us"

Public forums in Alnwick and Amble and two online forums, identified underage drinking in the district as an issue. 

Areas such as Amble Welfare Park and the summer seats in Alnwick have been identified as hotspots as we again approach summer time and the lighter nights.

To address the issue, underage drinking has become a neighbourhood priority with high profile patrols by officers and Community Support Officers.

"What we are doing about it"

We are visiting hot spots to target offenders.

"Keeping you informed"

Officers have made six separate confiscations of alcohol in Alnwick and Amble since Easter.