PCSO

Police Community Support Officer - Boxley

Our PCSO Jennifer Baulf is leaving to pursue a new career and will be replaced by Andrew Hawthorne. He will commence on 17^th May 2010

Dear Residents,

I am the police community support officer for Boxley. I have been in post since July 2007 and started my career in the Detling and Thurnham. I have recently taken over the post from Jaime Martin. You can contact me through the parish Clerk on 01634 861237 or on our office number 01622 604392. If I am not available please leave a message and I will get back to you when I am next on duty, alternatively you can e-mail me on 56636@kent.pnn.police.uk

When you see me walking around, please feel free to stop and talk to me. I am here to help and to improve the quality of life for the community. I am very keen and enthusiastic. Any discussion with my-self is private and arrangements can be made for a mutual meeting point. Top priorities for Boxley are:

Dog fouling

Litter

Speeding vehicles

Parking and nuisance vehicles

To find out more about these issues please log on to www.kent.police.uk

For details about the recent Pact meeting and action plan click here

For latest crime figures click here

Dog fouling

I receive many e-mails and telephone calls from residents concerned about dog fouling. As a police community support officer, if I see the owner walking away and not picking up the dog mess then I can request their name and address and pass the details on to Maidstone borough council and they will send the owner a fine in the post. Residents can also keep a log. The log should contain a description of the owner, the dog and also include the time and date. Any information should be passed to my self or to Boxley parish Clark. This would give me information so I can target specific areas on certain days and times. Residents can also log onto www.digitialmaidstone.co.uk and report dog fouling on the website.

Parking

Parking is an issue through out the whole parish. If you are experiencing issues with parking then please read the following. Nuisance / inconsiderate parking is for example if a vehicle is parked on the path, forcing pedestrians to walk on to the road to get around the vehicle. Residents are advised to record a log or if possible ask your neighbour if they would mind moving their vehicle and explaining your reasons why. The log should include where possible details of the vehicle, colour, and vehicle index also the date and time. This provides information for the police so we know when and where to patrol. As a police community support officer I can leave an advice notice on the offending vehicle, and educate people as and when I see them.

I would like to remind all residents that parking is about being aware of your neighbours and other people that live / work or visit the area and making sure that you do not park inconsiderately.

Play Park

A general note to all residents. Whilst patrolling my area I have noticed on numerous occasions swings in play parks, which are wrapped around the bars thus making it impossible for the swings to be used by younger children. It is lovely to see the parks being used by different age groups but please bear in mind the variety of ages who use the park

Walderslade Nuisance bike seized.

A nuisance bike was seized and will be destroyed and another rider was issued a verbal warning on the weekend of 4/5th April. Walderslade residents had been reporting problems to the Police and Parish Council and this led to a high visibility presence and reaction when the next incident was reported. Residents can call the Police on 01622 690690 if there are further problems. PCSO Jaime Martin said "A big thank you to the residents for phoning in with information as this helped us target the problem areas".

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PCSOs are expected to:

Engage and establish an excellent working relationship with the local community

Listen to the concerns of the local residents

Provide advice and agree a course of action in accordance with Kent Police Policy in order to provide a preventative problem solving approach to the reduction of community crime, anti social behaviour and quality of life issues

Encourage and maintain links to schools, clubs and local organisations.

Attend Parish council, resident association etc meetings

Provide a visible presence in the community

Support victims of crime, elderly or vulnerable members of the community

Give advice on victim support, handy man scheme etc

What is anti-social behaviour?

This is behaviour by a person or group that unreasonably interferes with people’s rights to use and enjoy their homes and community. The behaviour could cause or be likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. For example

Vandalism or graffiti

Noise

Rowdy behaviour such as shouting, swearing and fighting

Intimidation of neighbours and others through threats or actual violence

Harassment, including racial harassment

Verbal abuse

Abusive behaviour aimed at causing distress or fear to certain people For example elderly or disabled

Driving in a inconsiderate or careless way

Dumping rubbish or fly tipping

Animal nuisance, including dog fouling

If you are experiencing any of these issues and you would like to talk to me please phone. 01622 604392. If you are experiencing any of these issues NOW then please report it to the police on 01622 690690.

Fly tipping

Fly tipping is a commonly used term for rubbish that is illegally deposited on land without permission from the landowners. Fly tippers are spoiling the beautiful countryside across Kent. It costs local authorities £44 million to clean up each year.

Fly tipping, which is left on the roadside, pavements and public land is removed by the council.

If you see waste being dumped illegally or if it doesn’t seem right to you that people are dumping waste somewhere, please try to take as much information as possible. For example, vehicle registration details, time and description of the people dumping the waste. Please do not approach the offenders but ring the police as soon as possible.

The law now states that if you have any of your rubbish removed and it ends up being flytipped, you could be held responsible and fined. When dealing with waste removal services or tradesmen where rubbish will be generated e.g. builders, plumber, gardening contractors, always ask for a valid waste carriers licence. Householders should follow these 4 simple steps to help protect yourself and the environment.

1. Ask for their waste carrier registration number
2.Check the number with the Environment Agency (http://www2.environment-agency.gov.uk/epr/search.asp) or by calling 08708 506506.
3. Keep a note of all the information you receive from the waste collector/tradesman.
4. If they're not registered don't use them. Inform Clean Kent of the rogue trader immediately by calling 0845 345 0210

These images show the extent of fly tipping on Bell Lane, Boxley. Fly tipping has been a problem in this area over the previous years. Items dumped include burnt out vehicles, tyres, catalogues, general household waste and commercial waste.

I am monitoring the problem and liaising with the borough and parish councils. Any information or incidents of fly tipping can be reported on 01622 602162

Anti social behaviour

Do you know these tags? What do they stand for? Whose are they?

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Partners and Communities together (PACT) meeting at Grove Green Community Centre, Penhurst Close Thursday 22^nd January

The meeting was well attended and the input was interesting and far reaching. We thank the representatives from Tesco, the police and the PCSOs for their attendance and for answering the questions put to them.

The results from the postal/email surveys and the issues raised at the meeting will be collated and the results posted on this web site and in the Downs Mail. Those people who gave their personal details will receive copies.

We will also publish details of any planned actions that will be put in place to help redress the issues raised.

If you would like a copy of the PACT handbook click on the following link

www.kent.police.uk/About%20Kent%20Police/Neighbourhood%20policing/PACTHandbook.pdf

Action plan for issues identified at the GG PACT meeting.

The response from residents to the questionnaire and also attendance at the PACT meeting at Grove Green/Weavering identified the following top 4 issues.

Having initiated the PACT meeting it is felt that despite the reluctance of the community to become involved by setting up a independent panel that the parish council should undertake an action plan.

The following suggestions have been bought together.

Top 4 issues to be tackle

	Parking and nuisance vehicles Target vehicles causing an obstruction. ……….. Use the law to remove untaxed vehicles (Cube it programme). ……….. 'Friendly advice notes' to be left on inappropriately parked vehicles. ……….. Alert utilities to damaged services (inc manhole covers) caused by on kerb parkers (inc registrations)	No Action. Parish Council unable to become involved as no legislation exists to allow it to. ……….. Action. PCSO to continue to report any vehicles she comes across. Residents can also report these vehicles direct to the DVLA on 08000 325202. Information to be placed on Parish Council website. ……….. Action. PCSO will continue to do this where appropriate. Information to be placed on website ……….. Action. Residents and Parish Councillors can do this by telephone to Kent Highway Services on 08458 247800 or by using KCC website Information to be placed on website
	Speeding vehicles Conduct Speedwatch Train and use the new Speedwatch volunteers Use the media to report Speedwatch activity and results (photographs and data) ……….. Ask local school to get the pupils to win the hearts and minds of parents on the dangers of speeding (Posters and school letter) Ask Tesco to publicise dangers of speeding and consider controls over speeding in the shoppers car parks (notices/ cameras/ humps) ……….. Ask Kent Police and Medway camera partnership to conduct speeding surveillance in Grove Green/Weavering	Action. Mr. Pepper to continue planning Speedwatch presence. Information to be placed on website ……….. Action Ask PCSO to include details of Speedwatch in any visits to schools etc. No Action The complaints were about boy racers at night and Tesco is reporting this to Police. ……….. No Action Parish Council to monitor situation and take action as appropriate by requesting Police to undertake action at problem spots.
	Littering Enlist the help of MBC for extra litter picks. ……….. Get Captain Clean out to ensure Grove Green/Weavering is used as an area that is keen to reduce littering When the MBC annual sweep clean programme is issued publicity is given to this in Grove Green/Weavering ……….. Check the bins are being emptied frequently to avoid wind blown matter ……….. Ask local school and shops/public houses to promote the sensible disposal of wrappers and packaging. Use media and notice boards to win hearts and minds.	Action. Residents can notify MBC of a litter pick need by telephoning 01622 602162 The Parish Council will place the street clean schedule on the website. ……….. Action The Parish Office has all the information to arrange its own volunteer day for litter pick/sweep clean. Parish website to advertise any initiatives. ……….. No Action Scheduled by MBC. Residents can report any un emptied litter bins or general litter to MBC on 01622 602162 ……….. No Action. This work already undertaken by relevant agencies. Posters etc. can be placed on noticeboards/website as appropriate.
	Dog Fouling Investigate the most offensive sites. Civic Warden Ensure signage is fit for purpose and adequate PCSO to get fixed penalty notices issued to offenders Ask school to explain the dangers of animal waste to children's health so that they can win the hearts and minds of dog walkers who may be their parents. ……….. Use media over the anti social aspects and what a responsible dog owner should do Encourage 'observers' to report times and places of offending animals and dog walkers ……….. Incentivise/reward those carrying dog waste disposal bags and using them (monthly competition with a draw for a prize – small and appropriate)	Action. PCSO to undertake this work as part of her duties. MBC and the Parish Council would find it helpful if residents could log any regular times when the dogs are walked. This allows officers to target the area at the correct time Residents can report problems areas to MBC or offenders on 01622 602162 Information to be placed on website ……….. Action Information to be placed on website ……….. No action.

Ref. PC action plan .

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Minutes of Partners and Communities together (PACT) meeting at Grove Green Community Centre, Penhurst Close

On Thursday 22^nd January 2009 commencing at 7.05 p.m.

Present; Mr Vic Davies (Chairman), Mr Martin Pepper (Chairman Boxley Parish Council), Sgt. Hayes, PC Cumberland, PCSO Supervisor Morris, PCSO Martin, Mr Wingett (Maidstone Borough Council), Mrs Bowdery (Parish Clerk) and 28 residents including representative from Tesco.

1. Welcome.

Mr Davies welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Introduction to PACT

PCSO Morris and PCSO Martin explained the process and purpose of PACT. She introduced Sgt Hayes and PC Cumberland.

Questions were raised from the residents including one about whether there would be additional funding. There was none but the Police and local authorities could put target areas with initiatives.

Whilst the top 3 or 4 priorities would be dealt with the other issues would not be ignored. Parish Council would ensure that all issues were referred to correct authorities.

3. Gathering of views.

Attendees spilt into smaller groups for discussion and tea/coffee.

Summary/contribution from meeting/groups

On reconvening each group went through their priorities/comments/views. The main issues identified were

Speeding.

Littering.

Inconsiderate parking. Police can do nothing about inconsiderate parking on private property. They can issue tickets for vehicles that obstruct footpaths and MBC deals with illegal parking. It was acknowledged that there were considerable problems.

Motorbikes. Especially noisy ones. Police explained the law regarding this.

Traffic congestion. Parish Council has strongly objected to future development around the area and also requested from Kent Highway Services improvements, via Section 106, to the infrastructure if permission is given. Unfortunately KHS and the Planning Department were allowing development. The Parish Council’s wish list for road improvements is reviewed every 6 months.

Dog fouling.

Fence removed from around a green area which residents were not happy about.

It was suggested that Weavering Street be closed off but it was pointed out that this would place additional problems on Provender Way.

Residents attending confirmed that they had come because of invitation/questionnaire posted through their door.

Residents were notified that information would be collated and made available. A PACT Panel would deal with top ¾ issues. Mr Pepper informed residents that the Parish Council would take on all the issues identified and an action plan will be produced.

4. Conclusion/What happens next?

There were no person’s to volunteer for a PACT Panel, some residents thought it would be a talking shop. It was agreed that the PCSO would hold a regular surgery.

It was agreed that there was a need to publicise the outcome of the meeting and action taken especially any improvements. It was suggested that there be a regular newsletter challenging residents about dog fouling etc.

Mr Pepper gave a presentation on Speedwatch and the advantages of regularly undertaking it.

Sergeant Hayes informed residents that the Police had listened to their views and that regular speeders highlighted by Speedwatch information would be targeted by the Police.

It was suggested that there was a need to get residents proud of their area and involved perhaps by volunteer litter picks. The Sweepclean initiative was explained and residents present felt that this was a good idea and perhaps something the parish council could arrange.

5. Meeting closed.

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Boxley Crime Figures 19/02 to 03/04

Boxley

The average number of crimes in this area has decreased from 27.7 to 26 (6%) (compared to the same three month period last year)

Dec Jan Feb Average

2008/2009 35 25 23 27.7

2009/2010 25 28 25 26

Bearsted

The average number of crimes in this area has increased from 16 to 19.3 (20.8%) (compared to the same three month period last year)

Dec Jan Feb Average

2008/2009 12 18 18 16

2009/2010 22 20 16 19.3

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