Document Actions
Safer Neighbourhoods Anniversary: Summary of Rugby Borough initiatives
Safer Neighbourhoods Anniversary: Summary of Rugby Borough initiatives between November 2006 and November 2007
Rugby Town Centre
- Special Constables in Rugby took part in Operation Woodhouse in October, where those visiting certain licensed premises were invited to pass via a walk through metal detector, with the aim of confiscating any knives or other sharp objects that might pose a risk to the public. There were no knives confiscated but the public said they felt reassured by the operation and would like to see it repeated.
- In October, officers offered security advice to homeowners, recommending that they mark their valuable tools and garden equipment with their postcode as they put them away for the winter. They also advise that careful consideration is given to shed security, with shed alarms available at Rugby police station.
- Police are working with town centre retailers to help reduce purse thefts by encouraging shoppers to keep an eye on their bags, purses and wallets, particularly when using a shopping trolley in a supermarket or in charity shops where space is restricted.
- Police started the New Year in Rugby with an initiative to tackle criminal damage, organising patrols to target key locations identified as suffering from a disproportionate amount of damage, petty vandalism and graffiti.
- Rugby SNTs participated in a force wide seat belt enforcement campaign in February, highlighting to motorists and their passengers the dangers of not wearing a seat belt.
- Loca; SNT officers conducted high visibility patrols in key locations over Halloween, bringing reports of anti-social behaviour down to a minimum.
Rugby Rural Central
- Three Section 59 warnings were issued to motorcyclists in Brandon Woods on 8 July following a police operation to target the illegal use of off-road motorbikes and quad bikes in the area. Many more riders were dispersed on the same day and deterred from riding in the vicinity. Section 59 warnings displayed at the location now mean that police can seize any bike being ridden in the area.
- Police teamed up with Autocycle Union in June to run a mini moto club for youngsters at Brandon Speedway, giving youngsters expert tuition and an area where they can legally ride their bikes.
- The local SNT are holding regular surgeries at the Wolston Police Office. Dates are advertised locally in the village pub, school and shops, and residents will be able to meet officers and talk to them about community concerns.
- Police launched a high visibility initiative in January to tackle issues from illegal parking to criminal damage across Wolston, Binley Woods and Wolvey.
- Rugby Rural SNT have supported a force wide campaign to highlight the fight against car crime. Through the cartoon character
Sat Nav Sidthey are encouraging owners of satellite navigation systems not to leave them in their vehicles where they will be at risk of being stolen. Drinks mats have also been distributed across local pubs to reinforce this message. - Recognising that many children will have had bikes for Christmas, police are encouraging people to use anti-tamper stickers to security mark their bikes. These stickers, which are extremely hard to remove, are available free of charge from Rugby police station.
- Police have been working with Rugby Borough Council to reduce car crime as part of Operation Chester. They have erected large fluorescent banners at key sites across the town reminding motorists to remove all valuables from their vehicles.
- Police in Rugby continue to work closely with pubs and clubs across the borough and in December 2006 conducted a one-night operation to check every door supervisor in the town centre. All complied with the Security Industry Authority requirements.
- On 15 December police, fire officers, council wardens and volunteers from the Alcohol Advisory Service went out in Rugby to promote Operation Night Out to Remember. They spoke to people early in the evening about staying safe, not drinking too much and looking after their friends.
- Police are urging people in Rugby not to buy any items offered for sale in a pub, a car park or at a car boot sale at a price that is below its true vale. This may indicate the items are stolen and you could be charged for handling stolen goods and sentenced up to 14 years.
- Police have alerted plumbers, builders and other trades people following the theft of materials from the top of vans and building site. They advise that thieves are opportunists and so by making it difficult for them, they will go elsewhere.
- Local police are encouraging people to give careful consideration to their home security I the run up to Christmas, particularly when leaving presents on display under a Christmas tree. Police advise storing presents out of sight and using a timer switch to make you look at home when the house is empty.
- Police have issued a post-Christmas message in Rugby to protect high value presents. Do not throw the cardboard boxes these items came in out with your rubbish as this will advertise to potential thieves which brand new items you have in your house. Instead, fold them and dispose of them in your dustbin or take them to your local tip.
- Anti-robbery packs were distributed to businesses in and around Rugby following a spate of robberies. The packs contain information on keeping businesses safe and encourages people to report suspicious activity.
- Local SNT officers conducted high visibility patrols in key locations over Halloween and Bonfire Night under Operation Stockholm.
Rugby Rural North><p>
Rugby Rural South
- Rugby Rural South SNT took part in Operation Dunoon, a crime reduction initiative following a spate of criminal damage offences in Nuchurch in May. Three arrests were made during the operation.
- PCSOs have visited schools in Dunchurch and the surrounding district to engage with children of all ages. They have given information on bike coding, stranger danger and careers with the police.
- Working in partnership with Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, local SNTs are supporting a campaign to encourage people to call the police anonymously with names of local offenders. Posters displaying the message ‘Who’s committing your damage?’ have been displayed across the area.
- Local SNT officers conducted high visibility patrols in key locations over Halloween and Bonfire Night under Operation Stockholm.
- Officers have used the Safer Neighbourhoods mobile police station to engage with the community in outlying areas.
Rugby Town East
- Two PCSOs from Rugby Town East SNT gave road safety advice to a group of 11 – 18-year olds at Ashlawn School on 5 July. Their message was that teenagers need to be more safety aware than they were ten years ago due to the increased traffic on our roads and the advent of new technology, especially with the current craze for
heelies(a cross between shoes and roller-skates). - In partnership with Warwickshire Police, Hillmorton & Paddox Women’s Institute have launched its own Alert Line in June to alert and protect the local community from crime and to gather information and intelligence to help police with their enquiries. (jun)
- SNTs in Rugby Town East are holding monthly surgeries in the Spa Shop in Paddox Parade, Hillmorton so that local residents can get to know their local officers and raise any issues of local concern with them.
- A new police drop-in centre opened on 7 November at Rogers Hall in Hillmorton allowing local residents easier contact with their local SNT officers.
- PCSOs visited a number of children’s nurseries in Rugby to offer security advice after several premises were targeted by burglars in April.
- Rugby SNTs participated in a force wide seat belt enforcement campaign in February, highlighting to motorists and their passengers the dangers of not wearing a seat belt.
- Local SNT officers conducted high visibility patrols in key locations over Halloween and Bonfire Night under Operation Stockholm.
Rugby Town West
- PCSO Emma Bastock launched a school parking campaign in October to ease congestion outside a number of primary schools in the area and to make the roads safer for children as they travel to school.
- In June, a 15-year-old male from the Marlborough Road area of Rugby received an ASBO and his parents received a parenting order following months of work by local police and partners to tackle his anti-social behaviour.
- Police joined the Outreach Recruitment Officer at Rugby High School in June for a sixth form careers information day, where they provided an insight into the range of careers and opportunities available with Warwickshire Police
- A huge reduction in the number of calls from the public has followed the introduction of a dispersal order in the Bilton area of Rugby.
- Police, council and community members have worked together on the Eastlands Project to tackle anti-social behaviour and damage to trees and plants in an open green area. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts were issued to the main offenders involved and the probation service helped in replanting work.
- Police have used the
mosquito, a hi-tech device that sends out a high-pitched noise which can only be heard by teenagers and those in their early 20s, to help tackle under age drinking and anti-social behaviour in the park off Featherbed Lane. - Liaison between police, allotment holders and the council has led to a reduction in incidents of shed fires and damage at Eastlands allotments.
- Local PCSO Fran Carty was filmed on patrol in Rugby for the BBC's Politics Show in October to highlight the positive role of PCSOs in our local communities.
- Police have been invited into local schools to talk about the dangers of using drugs. They took along a drugs dog to illustrate how effectively drugs could be detected.
- Police are looking to develop a mini motorbike initiative to encourage youths who ride their bikes illegally on roads and country paths to stay safe by attending organised events.
- A PCSO has worked closely with an elderly Rugby couple who were victims of ongoing anti-social behaviour. Thanks to her liaison within the local neighbourhood, the problems have been resolved.
- PCSOs run a police surgery from the local Spa supermarket, allowing local people to talk face to face with an officer on a regular basis and to raise any issues of concern.
- Several local schools have provided officers for SNT to work from, providing greater opportunity for engagement with young people in a positive environment.
- After local residents raised speeding lorries as a concern, police have carried out checks along Bilton Road and have written to all Rugby companies using HGVs.
- Police and the council have produced a joint leaflet providing information about which organisation to contact with a particular problem. This has been distributed to local residents from the Overslade Estate who have been experiencing increased levels of anti-social behaviour.
- Police investigating a series of shed burglaries arrested a 14-year old male in April. A large quantity of items were recovered. Police are reminding people of the importance of marking property so that it can be more easily returned in these circumstances.
- SNT officers from Rugby West worked with the ANPR team during Operation Conisborough, a road safety initiative aimed at reducing speeding and targeting known travelling criminals.
- A 15-year old male has received a three-year CRASBO in relation to his anti-social behaviour, It prevents him from entering Harris school in Rugby and from spitting and throwing stones.
- Rugby SNTs participated in a force wide seat belt enforcement campaign in February, highlighting to motorists and their passengers the dangers of not wearing a seat belt.
Rugby Town North
- Rubgy Town North officers have used Rugby Borough’s dedicated mobile police station to increase police visibility and accessibility in the area. The van is fully liveried in yellow and blue reflective strips with the vision statement ‘Building safer neighbourhoods Together’ boldly displayed alongside the Safer Neighbourhoods website address.
- Local officers helped distribute leaflets in November last year highlighting the risk of sat nav thefts to motorists following a sharp rise in such thefts in North Warwickshire.
- Two distraction burglars were sentenced to a total of 19 years imprisonment for a series of distraction burglaries, two of which were in Newbold and New Bilton areas of Rugby. Local police assisted with a wider investigation ointo this appeal.
- Officers gave a presentation to children at Newbold Riverside School in July as part of a Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service initiative aimed at reducing nuisance arson in the Rugby Borough.
- Rugby Police in conjunction with Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards have conducted a ten week long test purchase intelligence-led operation across the borough. Several licensed premises in the area had their licences reviewed, requiring them to demand identification from any customers who appear to be under the age of 21, rather than the standard 18 years of age.