Page 8 - link magazine

8 The Link Magazine • February 2005
West residents happy with crime and disorder situation
A chance to meet a police chief and local councillors to discuss how criminal activity and anti-social disorder is being tackled in West
Swindon was ignored when only six residents turned up to the West Area Forum on 10 January at the Link Centre.
Llspector Willie Glasgow who est of several reorganisations over "Many more crimes are being it can create positive alternatives
supervises the North and West the years, last September, was pro- dealt with at a quicker rate and the for young people across the town."
Swindon sector team explained ducing results. "In addition to of- number of violent crimes in West To report anti-social activity, call
how the police are currently or- ficers in response cars to deal with Swindon has dropped. Wiltshire the Council's Crime and Disorder
ganised. Cheri Wright, Swindon immediate issues, currently WPC was the second safest county in Unit's hotline, 466738. Serious in-
Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Pat Salter covers Shaw, Nine Elms, Britain for this kind of crime and cidents should be reported to the
Co-ordinator, also attended to talk Peatmoor and PC Pedro Wiltshire we may be the first soon. police on 528111. In emergencies
about the use of new legislation is on the Toothill Westlea beat. "We know there is a drugs prob- call 999.
allowing the police to disperse Freshbrook, Grange Park, The lem in the area and over the last Insp. Glasgow, in charge of police
groups of young people gathered Prinnells is vacant following the few months we have carried out in West and North Swindon
in a threatening manner, and also transfer of WPC Sam Kelly to the many more raids where heroin and
how the movement of individuals Abbey Meads beat. I hope five crack cocaine is involved."
can be restricted through targeted more Community Support Offic- However he said gatherings of
anti-social behaviour orders. ers will join the team by the end of young people causing intimida-
Inspector Glasgow said the lat- the year. tion and harassment diverted po-
lice resources from dealing with
criminal activity.
Cheri Wright said dispersal or-
gf CHARISMA 1 ^.^-. ders were in effect at Freshbrook
BLINDS and Toothill Village Centres and
the order covering West Swindon
Centre and Shaw Ridge Leisure
was being reviewed, having run
ow of colours to brighen six months until the end of Octo-
our home this Winter! ber. "Dispersal orders run for a
fixed period and their effect is then Beat officer hotline
he rainbow at Charisma Blinds assessed. We know problems of
r A dedicated telephone line has
The factory - the place for quality and value anti-social behaviour continue at been setup so that the public can
Shaw Ridge and the police are
Manufacturers and suppliers of all types of blinds working to identify the ring lead- leave messages for sector beat of-
Full fitting service or cash and carry ficers and Police Community Sup-
ers and gather evidence for action
Factory showroom open Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm port Officers on issues of com-
on the problem."
Friday 9.30am - 5pm. Saturday 10am - 4pm munity concern and anti-social
Asda head of security Charles behaviour.
BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est., Swindon. Tel: 01793 434584 Ross told the meeting that a zero The line is not intended for ur-
tolerance approach to anti-social gent or emergency issues.
Sorry - the best laid plans... behaviour was applied at the West daily, prioritised and actioned ac-
All messages will be accessed
Swindon Centre which perhaps
We regret that planning difficulties have delayed our shifted the problem to areas where cordingly.
start-date but now opening February. young people could misbehave To help the police callers are
without fear of being moved on. asked to clearly state name, ad-
Swindon Council's youth serv- dress, a brief description of the
ice was discussed and coun Gary problem to be dealt with, and a
Perkins (Shaw / Nine Elms) said the return telephone number.
delivery of consistent high quality The number is 507899.
youth work had been a problem.
"There is a total reorganisation Coping with teens
going on so that youth work is
Are you having difficulties with
more closely linked with second-
your teenagers — stress, constant
ary schools. The council is trying
arguments, moodiness, rebel-
to rebuild the youth service so that
lious behaviour?
The Children's Information
Xmas power scooter? Service in partnership with Wilt-
shire and Swindon Connexions
Swindon Police would like to re-
are running a new free parenting
mind anybody who has got one of
these expensive pieces of kit that course, starting in February, to
help parents improve their rela-
it is illegal to use them on the
public highway, which includes tionship with their teenager.
roads, footpaths and car parks. The course will discuss
parenting issues and difficulties
If caught, users could be liable
in a safe and confidential envi-
to prosecution. The only place they
ronment. Parents will have the
can be used is on private areas of
land where permission has been opportunity to meet others with
given. However persistant use similar concerns, develop skills,
knowledge and confidence in
which disturbs other people could
parenting teenagers.
be considered anti-social behav-
The teenagers themselves will
iour. And anybody hit and hurt
also have the chance to be in-
could sue for damages.
volved in part of the course so
For a detailed leaflet explaining
more, call 01380 735735. Or call their views can be heard.
For more information, call
Swindon police on 507899 to re-
Karen on 541799.
port misuse of a powered scooter.