Going, going, gone…………..Dick has left the building!!

Well, this is it, my final day as the Safer Neighbourhood Team Sgt for Northam and St Marys. I have spent the day clearing my desk and sorting stuff out ready for my replacement, Sgt Ryan Bartlett. He will also be taking over the blog.

Yesterday I took Ryan around both beats and visited some of the key people and agencies, my apologies to those we missed, but only had the day. In Northam we popped in and had a cup of tea with an elderly lady whom I have known since I was down there as the beat officer. Sadly, she has lost her husband, but he was interesting chap who was a dispatch rider in the war, and would always show his photos. She still remembers how I take my coffee. We visited the chair of the Northam residents group and later the chair of the Holyrood residents group. Agency wise we saw the girls at Baseline, they work with loads of the kids in our patch, and then on to Housing. I have worked really closely with Housing during my time here. The housing officers are so helpful and useful. They even had a leaving prezzie for me!! Thanks.

Work wise there is plenty going on. The major crime team are still in Northam on Operation Savannah, following up on the murder investigation for Shawn Williams. Yesterday we assisted the tasking team in 4 drug warrants in Northam and Holyrood. That resulted in several arrests. This is where we need the help of the community to tell us of their concerns, and then of course we need to act upon them. It is not always possible to deal with these things as quickly as we would like, and there may be other factors, or as often referred to as ‘the bigger picture’, but we will do everything we can. The team have been kept busy with several prisoners and finishing off some crimes. PC Dave Houghton has 2 chaps back on bail for charging with several offences in Northam, PC Sharon Conway has had 2 youths charged and another cautioned for an assault in St Marys. PC Jeanette Denton is arranging another traffic operation for Chapel Rd, to deter speeders and check documents while Central Bridge is still closed.

In amongst this we have supplied at least 2 PCSO each day to the Summer Activity Programme that we have assisted Saints in the Community at St Marys School. There have been 50-60 kids at the activities each day of the 4 weeks that it has been running. That has been a great success again. Yet again during the school holidays there has not been an increase in anti social behaviour on our patch, and it is schemes like this that help keep the kids busy.

I have just noticed the comment from Nigel about the Tilley Awards. This is an award scheme relating to problem solving policing. Due to success of the drug operations in Albion Towers it was decided to nominate Operation Acer to the awards in 2003 and was one of only two initiatives submitted by Hampshire Constabulary that year. Although we did not win anything it was listed in the Tilley Awards schedule for 2003. Relating to Nigels other question of how the number of PC and PCSO for each beat are allocate, this was last reviewed when safer neighbourhood policing was introduced. The numbers were calculated using a variety of information including the social demographics of the area, amount of reported crime, population etc etc. There is no doubt that with the impending government cuts that there will be further reviews.

Well, that’s about. I have spent a fortune in ASDA getting in the doughnuts for my last day, next Tuesday I am back to training school at Netley to start my custody course. I hope you have enjoyed reading the blog, thanks to all of those that have helped and supported me through the years and good luck for the future.

Over to you Ryan…………………..

Cheers

Dick