Minutes of Police Liaison Group

Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 1st August 2002
At Binfield Memorial Hall

In attendance Inspector

Shaun Virtue, TVP
PC Dave Wherry - Beat Officer for Binfield & Warfield, TVP
PC Steve McSweeney - Restorative Justice, TVP
Trisha Bennet - Youth & Community Development Officer, Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Ian Leake - Chairman, Binfield Forest Council
Rev. Bill Meyer (Binfield)
Margaret Weber - Binfield OnLine
Sarah Clark - Bracknell News
Other members of public

INTRODUCTION

PC Dave Wherry opened the meeting by introducing himself to members of the public in attendance. He expressed his disappointment at the small turn out, particularly after the large advertising campaign he had organised around the village, in the Binfield Beacon and Bracknell News.

Dave went on to explain how Police Liaison Group(PLGs) were the idea of the Government, a means of making the local police more accessible to the public and how it was suggest that there were two run per year. This particular PLG was the first to be run in Binfield, previously Binfield and Priestwood had been combined.

As a part of working together with other organisations in the village, Dave explained how he was in the fortunate position to have a base at the Parish Council Offices, this meant that residents could always come in for a chat with him, leave messages and read any notices he had pinned on the TVP notice board therein. Board still to be placed in position*.

*Action: Dave Wherry

Dave continued by giving a brief description of what his role was in the community, "To patrol, prevent and protect against crime and fear". Thames Valley Police have produced a report laying down some guidelines describing the role of our local police officers, most of which Dave was already undertaking.

The next topic covered the crime figures for Binfield and how they appear to have risen overall, not so much because there was more crime, but more was actually reported and logged. Where there may be 41 crimes reported a month, half of these may be vehicle crimes, theft elsewhere ie. Mobile phones, violent crime and house break-ins in other areas. The crime in Binfield is much less than in other areas. Having said this, Dave mentioned the latest break-ins to properties over the last few months, mainly outbuildings, and passed on message to every one, to lock sheds and outbuildings, secure your properties properly.

A copy of the crime statistics will appear on the Community Website, Binfield OnLine, www.binfield.co.uk*.

*Action: Margaret Weber

Dave concluded his talk at this point and introduced Inspector Shaun Virtue as the next speaker.

INSPECTOR SHAUN VIRTUE

Shaun introduced himself and gave a brief description of his role within Thames Valley Police. He explained how his position as an Inspector covered the whole of the Bracknell Forest Area and the difficulties he is experiencing with minimum resources operating in such a large area. With the shortage of police officers, he had to prioritise and decide where best his officers should be present. We are fortunate in Binfield to have Dave, who also covers the Warfield area. Fortunately, the crime rate in the two villages is not as great as elsewhere. Trying to place beat officers where they are most needed is quite difficult, trying not to overstretch those officers, particularly as they have to carry out other duties outside alongside other officers who are available to cover all areas. In the main, Dave looks after the two villages first and foremost, giving residents the presence and reassurance they need.

Even with the lack of resources in the Thames Valley, there is still a reasonably high detection rate, and Bracknell and surrounding areas shows a lower crime rate than most.

Following on this note, the subject of recruitment was raised. Shaun had to admit that it was not so much a problem with recruitment, but keeping his officers. It takes two years to train an officer, after which time they are ready for duties, unfortunately, many are tempted by the higher pay scales at the MET and other police postings around the country where properties may be cheaper. TVP are trying to come up with some new incentives to keep their officers, but it is still not enough to keep them. Police forces such as the met officer incentives such as up to £6,000 pay increase, free train travel and much more. A lot to compete with.

Moving on, the problems of responses at police station switchboards was raised. Again, a problem with lack of resources causing messages not getting through to the right departments. Shaun feels quite strongly about different organisations working together to overcome such problems. Crimes which were not of what you might call "high importance" could be passed to the Parish Council or Borough Council, who in turn would liase with the correct department within TVP. Many of the police switchboards are spread out throughout the country, often meaning information does not get through to the right people. It was even suggested that perhaps an idea would be to have a voluntary person taking calls and messages at the Parish Council offices, which could in turn be passed to Dave on a regular basis for him to act upon. Obviously, crimes in progress still go via 999.

With no further questions, Shaun handed over the PC Steve McSweeney.

PC STEVE MCSWEENEY

Steve introduced himself and explained a little of what his role in Restorative Justice at Thames Valley Police entailed. He gave some very good examples of the work he does and the effectiveness of it, working with both adult offenders and youths, using real life stories. It was a very clear and sometimes witty talk, explaining what Restorative Justice actually is. Probably best explained by a piece Steve found in a book, Omerta by Mario Puzo, writer of the Godfather "It's about redemption, a man who sins and steals and then reconciles with society".

Discussion on the subject continued with great enthusiasm, as to whether this was a good way to deal with first time offenders or not.

Steve ended his talk by explaining how he was about to leave his present position at TVP and go back out to front line policing again. He expressed his wish to take and hopefully use his experience of restorative justice in his new post.

Rev Bill Meyer expressed his interest in this interesting subject and felt he would like to do a piece in the September edition of the Binfield Beacon*.

*Action: Rev Bill Meyer

TRISHA BENNETT

Trisha introduced herself to the public and explained her role working as Youth & Community Development Officer for Bracknell Forest Borough Council. She, like Shaun stressed the importance of various departments and organisations working together with TVP, helping to prevent crime, reporting crime and making the area safe.

An example she gave was with regard to street lights, and how people, particularly the elderly were too afraid to attend their local quiz night, because the community hall where it took place, did not have sufficient lighting outside, therefore being a prime place for street crime. By reporting this fact to the Council, steps could be taken to rectify such a concern. Trisha explained, it is just a case of strengthening the departments by all working together.

After Trisha's talk, the subject of the "Bollards" along Terrace Road was raised. Apparently, mothers had complained that they were unable to push their double buggies through them. Where did they come from, how organised them and why? Cllr Ian Leake did not seem sure. Probably they are there to stop vehicles parking on the pavement, but are they now more of a danger, investigation will continue. It's all a case of working together!

There were no further questions.

DAVE

Dave thanked all the speakers and hoped that what they had to say was of benefit to everyone present. He then opened the room for "Open Forum".

OPEN FORUM

Traffic calming was top of the list. Although there had been a meeting some months back dedicated purely to this subject, it was still on the minds of residents. In the main, everyone seemed to think the situation had improved and people were adhering to the new 30mph speed limit. Dave advised that the speed traps that he had been involved with in the village, had proved fairly satisfactory, the message was obviously getting across.

Dave got back to the subject of advertising for the next PLG, and hoped to come up with a better way of getting the message across to residents, that the meetings were being held and that they were a good way of providing accessibility to Thames Valley Police within a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Once again, the problem with getting hold of the police through police station switchboards was raised, where the switchboard is in another part of the country, there is the problem of explaining exactly where you are and the exact nature of the crime. Both Dave and Shaun explained that the system is constantly reviewed and that improvements are being implemented all the time.

The meeting was brought to a close and was considered, even though delivered to a very small audience, was worthwhile and informative.