Page 10 - link magazine

10 The Link Magazine • January 2005
Crime & disorder debate for West area forum

Restrictions on rampaging youth and more pro-active community policing seem to be having a positive effect in West and North Swindon
according the Swindon Police and Swindon Council's crime and disorder department. But what do you think? There is a chance to express
your viewpoint to local councillors at the next West Swindon Area Forum on 10 January.
Using new powers under anti-so- four Co-ordinator, the consequences more constructive activities for
cial behaviour legislation intro- will be attending the 1 of anti-social be- young people. Youth workers are
ducedin2003,thepolicehavebeen meeting to explain haviour." playing a valuable role in this in
able to impose a dispersal order on how the legislation He added that he West Swindon."
a defined geographical area to limit has been applied _ hoped that five To report anti social activity, call
the number of people congregat- and what has been more PCSOs would the Council's Crime and Disorder
ing if they are seen to be causing learnt. join the West! Unit's hotline, 466738.
intimidation, harassment or alarm Inspector Glas- North sector in the Serious incidents should be re-
to the public. And under 16s can gow, right, said the L next year. ported to the police on 528111. In
be escorted home. Further misbe- police were re- Cheri Wright emergencies call 999.
haviour can result in arrest and sponding better to said dispersal or- • The West Swindon Area Forum
punishment by fine or even im- community prob-'' ders were proving is a public meeting and takes place
prisonment. lems following a re useful, though each on Monday 10 January, 7.30pm,
Over the last eight months dis- organisation of the has to be evaluated in the Link Centre Community
persal orders have been used to shift system last September and to see if there is a drop in reported Suite.
restrict people gathering at the the use of anti-social legislation. crime, or if the orders just shift the
West Swindon Centre and Shaw "The five police sectors covering young people from places like vil- Christmas support
Ridge Leisure Park, Freshbrook the town have been reduced to lage centres to nearby housing ar- Old Shaw Lane was full of people
and Toothill Village Centres, and three and the beat officers in each eas, thereby disturbing residents. onl2DecemberenjoyingaChrist-
also in Pinehurst, Moredon and team are working together in a "There is evidence that the first mas market with carol singing.
Greenmeadow. m more integrated way, the as- order made, covering a part of Over £700 was raised for
p
g
y^
g
Anti-social behaviour orders sistance of the new Police Corn- Stratton during the first half of ActionAid.
under the Crime and Disorder Act munity Support Officers (PCSO). 2003, has helped to reduce the Joint organiser Lesley Dredge
1998, have also been used against "This means that intelligence is number of incidents reported, but said, "we were all amazed that the
individuals to restrict where they being gathered and shared more it is too early to assess the success evening would attract so many
can go and who they can associate effectively so that we can deal more of the first West Swindon order." people.
with, on pain of arrest, fine and quickly with neighbour disputes, However, she believes legisla- Than you
imprisonment for breaking the and kids in the streets, and bear tion should be only one means of to all who
terms laid down. Currently there down on persistent criminals and addressing problems. "The local supported
are 14 in effect across Swindon, the drug dealers, police and community support of- ActionAid"
most recent imposed on Leon Mor- "We're also working better with ficers are active in establishing re-
ris from Freshbrook. other agencies such as the housing lationships with disaffected Organiser
Swindon Police Inspector Willie department so that dealers get youngsters. It is importance for us Carol Staples
Glasgow and Cheri Wright, Swin- evicted, and also with schools to to understand why these gather- serving
don Council's Anti-Social Behav- get over a consistent message about ings develop and try to provide mulled wine

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