Super Cap Meeting Q & A's

Here follows Chief Inspector Simon Causer's brief and informative summary of the questions and answers that were discussed at the Super Cap* meeting which took place on 3rd Feb 2011.

*CAP = Community Action Panel; Super Cap is a meeting help between Chairmen of CAPs around the borough.

Super CAP Meeting:
Location: Simpson Hall lecture Theatre
Date: Thursday 3rd Feb 2011 1900 - 2130.

Item 1 and 2 on the agenda were presentations about the neighbourhood policing review project and the burglary picture in Barnet. During the discussion that followed a number of issues were discussed. Below is a brief summary of the main issues that were raised.

Qu 1: Why haven’t PCSOs been given more powers such as dealing with abandoned cars?

Ans: PCSOs are the eyes and ears of the ward. 70% of all our intelligence comes from PCSOs who are asked to go out and talk to people and learn about problems on their ward. Extra powers are available by deference through the local authority. At a recent Barnet Council cabinet meeting, additional powers were requested but not granted. CAP members may wish to take this matter up with their local councillor.

Qu 2: Will the change in resources reflect the changing population dynamics that will be evident in the forthcoming census?

Ans: The flexibility that we are seeking in our review of neighbourhood policing will put us in a far better picture to respond to local issues such as the building of a new housing estate.

Qu 3: Will there be staff reductions on wards?

Ans: There is a proposal to look at the way teams are currently supervised and whether we have got the management ratio right. This may lead to a reduction in the current number of sergeants.

Qu 4: If a year later, crime gets worse; will it all go back to how it was with 1:2:6 ratio in every ward?

Ans: The Metropolitan Police needs to make savings and it is only right that we look at how we currently deliver our policing services and whether we can be more efficient. We need to ensure that we meet the service demand and balance our resources accordingly. What any new model will give is flexibility to change; this will make it far easier to respond to emerging crime pictures. What we will do is keep the structure under constant review and if there is a sound argument to change then we will do so.

Qu 5: How do the PCSOs feel about the change?

Ans: Most of the PCSOs are happy to move across ward boundaries as this opportunity will broaden their skill base as they move to different parts of borough to deal with issues that have an impact on their own ward. PCSOs do a fantastic job and they all want to continue delivering that level of service where ever they work.

Qu 6: Is funding secured for the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams?

Ans: Safer Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of the MPS response to dealing with crime and disorder in the local community. As such the MPS is committed to maintaining a safer neighbourhood team in every ward.

Qu 9: In the current economic climate, does the MPS have a way of preventing the older experienced officers from leaving?

Ans: The situation with retirement in the MPS has not changed, unlike some other forces the MPS has no plans to insist that an officer retires once they have reached 30 years service. In this way there will be no exodus of skill and experience.

Qu 10: Do you encourage ‘have a go hero’s’?

Ans: We would want members of the public to act in a safe and appropriate manner in response to a situation as they see it. As part of this we would encourage interaction with their local safer neighbourhood teams and be part of Borough Watch. One of the most important things that the public can do is be a good neighbour and keep an eye on each others property, reporting anything they consider as suspicious to the police.

Qu 11: Is there any information that suggests criminals in Barnet track where police officers are in order to commit crime?

Ans: No

Qu 12: If PCSOs leave their SNT to become PCs, will there be a backfill?

Ans: There are PCSOs that are not in the Safer Neighbourhoods teams. It is likely that they will be used to backfill those PCSOs who leave a SNT for a career elsewhere.

Qu 13: How do we increase our borough watch and help the Police?

Ans: The borough watch coordinators need to be known to their Ward Panel and Safer Neighbourhood Team. Through communication, we can identify those streets where representation is low and then actively market Borough watch in these locations. Working with Borough Watch your local team will be doing just that.

Qu 14: Can we have a series of regular meetings with our Borough Watch, local police and local council?

Ans: Yes - If we have it ward specific, the Safer Neighbourhoods teams can facilitate.

Qu 15: Can we get regular updates on crimes that occur on our ward and ward specific news?

Ans: The Safer Neighbourhoods teams should be feeding you regular updates via email. A Newsletter for each ward has been sent to the printers and will be delivered to every home by April of this year.

If you want regular updates, and are not getting them, in the first instance speak to your local SNT. If you are dissatisfied with the response please email simon.causer@met.police.uk

Summary of Barnet Boroughwatch AGM

The good news is that Barnet Borough has had a dramatic decrease in alcohol related violence.

The bad news is that on burglaries Barnet is “the most challenged borough”. There has been a large increase in burglaries and Barnet police are working hard at tackling this. Most burglaries occur during the day when people are at work.

Give a "lived in" look by doing simple things like...

• Keep lights on while you’re out or use a timer switch if returning after dark.
• Keep key and loose valuables like laptops, cameras and mobiles out of sight from anyone looking in.
• Secure rear garden. Lock sheds, back doors and windows. Keep gates shut and locked.
• Don’t leave ladders or tools outside.
• Use front and back lights.
• Use burglar alarms.
• Do not leave the dustbins out longer than necessary. Agree with your neighbour to move back the dustbins after collection especially if away on holiday.

Communicate with your neighbours: Encourage your neighbours to send their email address to totteridge.nw@gmail.com so that they can receive information from Barnet Boroughwatch and the Totteridge Safer Neighbourhood Team. For those neighbours who are elderly or have no email please help them by printing off information and delivering it to them.

The meeting was well attended and informative. Barnet Borough Commander Neil Basu and Chief Inspector Simon Causer discussed the implications of the government cutbacks and the different options which are being considered. At the meeting there were lively questions from Barnet residents and good explanations from our senior police officers. Discussions included:

• the flexibility to move officers across ward boundaries without having to justify to management
• the training and use of Special Constables
• the deployment of Safer Neighbourhood Teams during the Olympics
• how to deal with a burglary where the premises are occupied.

Survey: 12,000 people responded to the survey which Simon Causer issued in early December. This helps to guide the Chief Inspector in policing policy in Barnet’s 21 wards specifically in the following areas:

1. Team location
2. Team responsibility
3. Team structure
4. The working shifts of police officers
5. Safer Transport Teams, (funded by TFL and located at Tally Ho, Edgware and Golders Green)
6. Safer Schools Teams
7. Safer Town Centre Teams

Kitty Nabarro

Totteridge Residents' Association

Have Your Say on Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Barnet

The Barnet Safer Communities Partnership believes the way to create a safer, stronger community is by partnership working between the council, police and other local agencies. Barnet residents now have the opportunity to have their say about crime and disorder is tackled and prevented, substance misuse and anti-social behaviour.

Please have your say:

Click here to complete a short survey, which is designed to discover more about:

• your perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour in your local area;
• your experiences of crime and anti-social behaviour in the last twelve months;
• your feelings towards how well the local police, council and their partners work together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour;
• what you think the priorities should be for the borough and for your local area.

The questions contained in this survey will help us understand the concerns that you have about your safety and the safety of others in the community. The results will be used to inform the types of actions taken to improve community safety and improve the quality of life for everyone in the borough.

Please complete the survey by Friday 4th March at the latest. Completed surveys will be entered into a free prize draw and one lucky resident will win a £75 gift voucher.

Howard Pothecary
Barnet Safer Communities Partnership
howard.pothecary@barnet.gov.uk
020 8359 7788

Barnet Boroughwatch AGM 7th Feb 2010

This is a final reminder that the AGM of Barnet Boroughwatch is tomorrow evening, 7th February at 7.45pm, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, NW4. (See previous post below for a map.) Car parking is available in the University car park off Greyhound Hill. The university wishes it to be known that, although you park at your own risk, no charges will be made.

The meeting will be held in Room C211 on the 2nd floor and refreshments will be served on arrival.

This is your last chance to discuss the policing of Barnet with the Borough Commander before the cuts really hit.

The meeting will consist of a brief introduction from Paul Hammond of Barnet Boroughwatch and Maureen West the Chair and then straight into an open forum with Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Neil Basu and Chief Inspector Simon Causer.

The future policing of Barnet is at stake so it is important that the police hear your views.