Hello again,
Another busy week with the school holidays, but for us in the centre of Southampton, that is because of our involvement in youth activities and not, as you may assume, reports of juvenile nuisance. Several years ago, that was the case - we would be chasing youngsters all over the place, with loads of reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB). However, we have worked hard with a variety of agencies to reduce the ASB, and now school holidays are no different for reports than any other time, in fact sometimes lower.
Last week we worked with Swaythling Housing for a street briefing in Chapel to talk to people about their problems, and on Friday several of the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) worked with Swaythling and took over 20 children to Northam Community Centre for a cookery session. Lots of fun and sloppy puddings kept the children, and PCSOs, happy.
We also had some more 'community punishment'. Several youngsters in Northam had been identified by PCSO Reynolds as being responsible for some graffiti in one of the business areas, but there would not have been enough proof to take them to court. PCSO Reynolds spoke to the youths with their parents and the youths agreed to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning cleaning up the area, graffiti wipes, and weeding. There are some good photos, but unfortunately under 'Human Rights' I cannot put them in the blog - which is a shame. However this is the third time this year we have got children to clean up a mess they have made, and each time the children have not re-offended, so it is something we will keep trying.
I am off to London again this week. The NPIA (National Policing Improvement Agency) have asked my colleague, Sgt Andrew Williams who looks after Newtown, and me to give presentations at the next set of NPIA workshops. It's four workshops in a day for the Metropolitan, Kent, Sussex, City of London and Surrey forces regarding Innovations in Community Engagement. We have been chosen following recognition of the 'excellent' engagement we have in Northam, St Marys and Newtown. So, on Wednesday its up to the Russell Hotel for the night and presentations on Thursday. Hopefully we can make it look reasonably professional and pass on some of our experiences to the other forces - and maybe pick up a few tips from them as well. Its good for us to receive recognition that what we are doing is the right way.
Its another week of meetings as well. On Tuesday I had the K2 festival meeting. That’s the youth festivals that are held in Hoglands Park each year (June, July and August). We get involved with a stand and mix with the youngsters. That’s followed by a meeting about Decent Neighbourhoods in Kingsland where the council have some money to spend on improvements and we go along with Housing to discuss the issues and ideas.
Today (Wednesday) I have the Baseline steering group and ID 50 meetings. I have worked with Baseline since it started in Southampton over 10 years ago. Baseline was part of Crime Concern which is now called Catch 22 after joining with another group. Basically, it works in the SO14 post code area and we identify the top 50 youths, 10-16yrs of age that are considered at risk of offending, and the Baseline staff work with these youngsters to try to keep them on the straight and narrow. I think it has been very successful over the years and one of a number of initiatives that has helped reduce the reports of juvenile nuisance in SO14.
Thursday night is the Chapel residents group - which I shall miss as I am in London - but PCSO Fiona Oates who looks after Chapel has changed her rest days to attend.
There is also the Northam 521 youth group/City Reach youth group meeting, which again I will miss. Then on Friday we have a crime survey with Housing in Northam Estate. Finally on Sunday there is the St Georges Day parade in St Mary St and the Junior PCSO under the guidance of PCSOs Kelly Drodge and Fiona Oates will be working with volunteers from Solent University on a 'paint-fest' to paint the footbridge from Deanery to Chapel. Just a normal week really.
Cheers
Dick
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From your blog it's clear the police have done a lot and are still doing a lot to prevent youths from getting into a life of crime. That's really excellent.
ReplyDeleteI noted about half a dozen children behind one of the blocks on Golden Grove on April 23rd setting fire to bits of paper, pulling apart one of the trees and generally doing a lot of shouting and swearing.
Amazingly after phoning the police, the matter was sorted within about 30 minutes due to the fact that Const. McKenzie was in the area. He took their names and addresses with a view to writing letters to the parents.
These incidents are, as you point out, few and far between but I feel there are still some parents who don't know where their children are.
In my experience, the key is to provide structured recreation so children do not get bored. Boredom leads to frustration and then it's just a short step to ASB.