06/08/2010 Hartlepool  

Partners in Hartlepool Work with Licensees to Consult on Early Closure Plans

Partner agencies across Hartlepool are consulting with licensees in the town to consider proposals for a voluntary early closure of their bars and clubs.

We have a good relationship with the licensees across the town and the fact that we are able to consult with them on such innovative proposals shows their forward-thinking approach to helping us tackle issues in the town.

Glenn GudgeonDistrict Commander Superintendent

Innovative plans have been put together as part of a series of measures to clampdown on alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour associated with the night-time economy.

Under the banner of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, licensing officers have been working with Hartlepool Licensees’ Association and business owners in the town to discuss moving back to the traditional licensing hours of 2.00am closure of trading and 2.30am closure of premises.

Night-time economy project manager Inspector Tony Green has been visiting licensees and venue managers recently to get their views on the possible move and has been met with a great deal of support, but as an entirely voluntary project, some further consultation needs to be done.

From initial discussions, if the proposals are supported partner agencies are looking at a possible launch date of Wednesday 1st September for earlier closing. In order for the launch to take place, there would need to be voluntary backing from every licensed premise in the town.

A letter signed by key figureheads, including Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership Mayor Stuart Drummond, District Commander Superintendent Glenn Gudgeon, and Chief Executive of Hartlepool Borough Council Paul Walker is being distributed to raise further awareness of the proposals and possible launch date.

Months of discussions have already taken place with licensees in the town as part of a joint approach to improve the night-time economy and the reputation of the town centre as a night-time destination.

Other measures have also been launched in recent months, including a taxi marshalling scheme helping revellers to get home safely.

District Commander, Superintendent Glenn Gudgeon, said: “We have a good relationship with the licensees across the town and the fact that we are able to consult with them on such innovative proposals shows their forward-thinking approach to helping us tackle issues in the town.

“We want people to feel confident that they can choose Hartlepool as a safe and relaxed destination to enjoy their nights out and we feel that by closing early we can reduce incidents of disorder by reducing the amount of time people can consume alcohol.

“This is an entirely voluntary project, but we are confident that we will get the support we need as everyone agrees that joint progress needs to be made. By consulting with licensees we can discuss any concerns and highlight the best ways forward.”

Mayor Stuart Drummond said: “I am pleased that consultations are taking place. It takes a lot of police and council resources to deal with issues surrounding the later opening hours. The whole idea behind the proposals is to make Hartlepool a much safer environment and enable people to come out, relax and enjoy themselves.”

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28/07/2010 Hartlepool

 

Do You Know Where Your Children Are This Summer?

Do you know where your children are? That is the question that Hartlepool Police will be asking parents over the summer holidays as they increase patrols to combat anti-social behaviour and underage drinking to ensure that young people are safe.

My appeal to parents is help us to keep your family safe, we are not there to spoil the fun, but just ask yourself, do you really know where your child is going when they walk out the door?

Mick BrownActing Chief Inspector

Officers will be involved in a number of dedicated patrols, known as Stay Safe Lite, which is designed  to protect vulnerable young people from alcohol, specifically those whose behaviour and whereabouts places them at risk of significant harm.

Where young people are found wandering the streets at night with alcohol, they will be returned to their home address and a referral will be made to a partner agency with the aim of educating both children and their guardians about the importance of personal safety and underage drinking.

Police have launched Stay Safe Lite following the success of a previous ongoing operation – Operation Stay Safe – which was led by several partner agencies in the town.

Officers will also be particularly active in enforcing Designated Public Places Order zones (DPPOs) which allows them to prevent people from openly drinking in public places.

Acting Chief Inspector Mick Brown said: “My appeal to parents is help us to keep your family safe, we are not there to spoil the fun, but just ask yourself, do you really know where your child is going when they walk out the door?

“There is a very clear responsibility placed on parents and guardians in respect of their children; too often officers are finding young people wandering around the streets heavily under the influence of alcohol, often in a state where they pose a significant risk to themselves. Most parents are really supportive of what we are trying to do, which is to keep people in this town safe.

“Our officers will be increasing patrols around local hot spots and shops selling alcohol to ensure that the message is received loud and clear.”

   

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16/07/2010 Cleveland

 

Annual Crime Figures Show Cleveland Third For Beating Crime

Home Office official figures released today show Cleveland Police as having achieved the third biggest reduction in total recorded crime in the country.

It’s a testament to the dedication of our officers and staff, and the support we have from local communities and partners that we continue to have a strong performance

Sean PriceChief Constable

Over the twelve month period from 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2010, total recorded crime in Cleveland reduced by 14% in comparison with the preceding twelve months.

This compares with an average reduction of 8% nationally, and means that there were almost 8,000 fewer victims of crime in the Cleveland Police area.

Cleveland also showed the highest reduction of any Force in the individual category of criminal damage (down 19% - joint with North Yorkshire, Hampshire and Warwickshire) and the second highest reduction in robbery (down 29%).

Cleveland is also in the top five in the country for detecting crime, with a detection rate of 40%.

Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Sean Price said: “It’s a testament to the dedication of our officers and staff, and the support we have from local communities and partners that we continue to have a strong performance. We are particularly pleased to have achieved such significant reductions in the areas of criminal damage and robbery.

“Our detection rate continues to be strong, and the figures released today by the Home Office confirm our performance is one of the best in the country.

“There are however many challenges ahead, particularly in these difficult financial times. But our commitment to Putting People First and Neighbourhood Policing means that we will continue to protect our frontline services.

“Although we continue to have record lows of recorded crime, we will never be complacent about the figures and will continue to work closely with local communities and other partners to ensure the people of Cleveland are getting a first class service from us.”


Cleveland Police Authority Chair Councillor Dave McLuckie said: “The latest figures are further vindication of the Authority’s long-standing commitment to put resources where they really matter—into frontline policing and working with local people to tackle the issues which affect their daily lives—and a credit to everyone involved, the Chief Constable and his team, officers and staff—and the many partners with whom we work to reduce crime and improve public safety.

“At a time when we already facing having to make cuts in the current year—with the prospect of an even tougher financial climate in the years ahead—we are determined to do everything possible to maintain…and indeed further improve…our performance.

“One of the key factors in helping us make the progress we have delivered over recent years—and deal with the future challenges—has been our willingness to examine all aspects of our operations and lead the way in developing partnership arrangements.

“The most recent, of course, has been our partnership with Steria for the delivery of support services means that we can deliver very significant savings to help meet those financial pressures, protect the interests of staff—and deliver improvements in the way we handle calls from the public.”

 

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                           Community-Click

On Tuesday, 13th July, Inspector Dave Toor launched Hartlepool's 1st on-line Ward meeting ................... Community - Click! for those people living in the SOUTH side of Hartlepool. Access via the Cleveland Police website    www.cleveland.police.uk

Inspector Toor was on-line, LIVE, between the hours of 7pm and 9pm and received 35 enquiries from members of the public, covering a wide range of topics.

If you live in the South Neighbourhood Policing area and would like to take part in any future 'Community-Click' events, please check our website for dates and times or sign up to the Ringmaster messaging scheme and receive advance notification vie e-mail.

Please note the following comments from Cleveland Police, relating to the Launch of this project..........

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16/07/2010 Hartlepool

 

Success for Hartlepool’s Online Police Meeting Pilot

Hartlepool’s online police meeting pilot has been hailed a great success with nearly 40 people accessing the live web chat to find out about what is happening in the south area of the town.

We are using all the tools at our disposal to ensure that we reach out to various members of the public to find out about their priorities and respond to any neighbourhood issues that they may have.

Dave Toor Inspector

The virtual meeting, called Community-Click, saw a larger number of residents get involved than officers see at many face-to-face public ward meetings.

The two-hour interactive web chat was aimed at people from the Fens, Greatham, Owton Manor, Rossmere, and Seaton Carew. It gave residents from these areas the opportunity to talk to Neighbourhood Inspector Dave Toor about any issues or ask questions about what is happening where they live.

People clicked online to talk to Inspector Toor about a range of issues including activities over the summer holidays, anti-social behaviour, ward priorities, neighbourhood policing, and frontline policing.

The first ‘Community-Click’ chat aimed to reach out to housebound residents, parents who find it difficult to leave the family home for a meeting and those who may feel anxious about speaking out in public.

Following the success of the pilot, the project will be rolled out across the Cleveland Police Force area and there will be further chats across Hartlepool in the coming months.

Inspector Toor said: “Community-Click saw us get right into the heart of peoples homes as if we were sitting on their sofa talking to them.

“It has been a great experience for me and one that I have really enjoyed. It is an extremely cost effective way of reaching out to the general public and a really innovative way of engaging with people.
“We are using all the tools at our disposal to ensure that we reach out to various members of the public to find out about their priorities and respond to any neighbourhood issues that they may have.

“I look forward to raising awareness of the Community-Click project and getting even more residents involved in the future.” 

 A transcript of the Community-Click pilot can be viewed here or for more details call website co-ordinator Michael Storey on 01642 301280.

If you would like to see the Community-Click project feature in your area,  please contact us

 

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            The Making Good Campaign

 

The Youth Justice Board is inviting members of the public and community groups across England and Wales to suggest community reparation activities that young offenders could undertake.

Making Good will move from region to region across England and to Wales during 2010 and is currently live in:

·         the North East of England (until December 2010)

·         Yorkshire and Humberside (until December 2010).

Public suggestions will be considered and implemented where practically possible, by youth offending teams in these regions.

For further information, go to www.yjb.gov.uk/MakingGood

 

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Cracking Down on Under Age Drinkers

 A Message From Inspector Peter Knights

One of the key areas of our work is dealing with complaints about the anti-social behaviour of young people. Whilst we need to remember that the vast majority of the young people in Hartlepool are honest, law abiding citizens, there are some who behave in such a way that the quality of life of residents – including other young people – is spoiled.

Sometimes this behaviour is made worse by alcohol and without them realising it, a child or young person is more at risk of becoming a victim of crime, more at risk of various types of accidents and more at risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. Of course there are other risks too, particularly as the ability of a youngster to say ‘No’ is radically reduced through alcohol and inhibitions are lost. Operation Staysafe is a major multi-agency operation designed to tackle such anti-social behaviour and protect young people from harm and that includes the harm caused by alcohol. This operation will continue in 2010.

As part of our drive against anti-social behaviour, we need your help.

Help us identify:

Locations where young people are gathering to drink

 

Please pass any information you may have to the Ringmaster email address shown below or contact the Neighbourhood Watch Office on 01642 302562,  but note this number is not for emergencies or ongoing incidents. Alternatively speak to your Neighbourhood Policing Team officers.

e-mail:    ringmastercirculation@hotmail.com

 

Operation Staysafe – Where Are Your Children Tonight?

  

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 October 2009.

 

 

 

 

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