Kenilworth

• The SNT in Kenilworth is having greater than ever involvement with local schools and PC Blackwell has been invited to be this year’s Santa at St Nicholas Primary School Fair.
• After Kenilworth Safer Neighbourhood Team targeted a 15-year-old boy for graffiti offences, theft and handling stolen goods, he pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery in July and is currently detained at a Brinsford Young Offenders Institute, serving a 12-month detention and training order.
• A youth admitted a number of criminal damage offences after officers carried out an operation to target graffiti offences in Kenilworth, and found spray cans at his home. He was given a final warning and has agreed to work with the youth offending team in voluntary work with other young people involved in graffiti offences.
• Kenilworth SNT have clamped down on underage drinking by patrolling key areas where youths are known to congregate. This has had particular impact in Castle Farm Recreational Ground & Sports Centre, reducing the number of incidents reported and allaying fears of staff and local residents.
• Acting on information from a member of the public, Kenilworth SNT mounted an intelligence-led drugs operation in July where hydroponics equipment and 224 cannabis plants were seized from the bedroom of a rented house.
• Officers visited a nursery school in Burton Green to assist teachers in delivering a session with young children with the theme of helping others.
• Special Constables joined SNT officers to police Kenilworth Carnival on 7 July. The use of pedal bikes meant they were able to move around rapidly while maintaining a visible and reassuring presence throughout the day.
• Public feedback has been very positive after Kenilworth SNT officers have started using pedal cycles purchased through funding from the Kenilworth Safer Neighbourhood Panel.
• In August, local SN officers in Kenilworth helped to launch Operation Guardian, a scheme to reduce anti-social behaviour across Warwick District. In the first weekend alone, a significant amount of alcohol was seized in Abbey Fields and a number of names taken. These were followed up by letters from the Anti-Social Behaviour Officer at Warwick District Council.
• Police continue to take positive action to tackle nuisance from motorbikes being ridden illegally in Kenilworth and on 5 Sept, seized a mini moto from a local youth caught riding without a helmet and without the required documents for using his bike on a public road.
• The local SNT have welcomed the new Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre that opened in Abbey Road on 21 September, which provides a safe environment for younger Kenilworth residents to meet in. The SNT plans to take an active role in the future of the new centre.
• Kenilworth Police will be taking a zero tolerance approach to retailers who allow children to buy alcohol from their shops, especially in the run up to the festive season, and have sent out letters to all licensed premises, warning them of the consequences of breaking the law. Any youngster caught trying to buy alcohol will be made accountable for their actions and one teenager has already faced a £50 fixed penalty notice in Kenilworth town centre.
• Police joined councillors and representatives from other agencies at a public meeting in Kenilworth on 19 November. They gave feedback on the priority issues of anti-social behaviour and graffiti and listened to any new concerns from local residents.
• Police ensured that the annual Christmas light switch on was kept safe and enjoyable for all in November 2006 through high visibility patrols and the seizure of alcohol.
• Police investigating criminal damage to the railway bridge in Kenilworth arrested six people in January 2006.
• Local officers helped police the Remembrance Day parade in Kenilworth on 11 November.

Warwick Central

• The local SNT developed a programme to remove graffiti from a bridge over the Grand Union Canal near Europa Way. This was jointly funded by Warwick and Leamington District Councils and the work was carried out by offenders supervised by the Probation Service.
• Sergeant Kelvin Webster was presented with a Citizen Focus Award for his commitment to Safer Neighbourhoods at a ceremony in Leamington in January 2006.
• Warwick Central SNT have been holding walk-in police surgeries for residents from the Forbes Estate and the Chase Meadows Estate in Warwick, providing an opportunity for the public to share any problems they are experiencing. These were then raised at the Safer Neighbourhood Team PACT with Warwick District Council, Police and local partners present.
• Warwickshire Police and The Warwick Central SNT are supporting a project known as Prison Me No way, where youngsters are given the opportunity of experiencing prison life inside a real prison. The scheme aims to deter youngsters who have received cautions or community orders from further offending behaviour by showing them the consequences ie prison.
• Warwick Central have been involved in Operation Guardian which was launched to tackle youth crime and disorder across Warwick District. The operational focuses on Friday and Saturday nights when youth crime is often at its most prevalent. Any young person stopped by police for anti-social behaviour has a letter sent to their parents or guardians. They would then be visited at home by Warwick District Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Officer if they were stopped repeatedly. There are already early signs of success in areas such as St Nicholas Park.
• Warwick Central SNT work closely with all our partners to ensure a coordinated approach to local problems, and have assisted with policing many local events throughout the last 12-months including Warwick Mop, race meetings, concerts and parades.
• Officers from the Warwick Central Safer Neighbourhood Team conducted an early morning drugs raid at an address on the Emscote Road in Warwick where they found cannabis plants and hydroponics equipment. A male has since been charged with cultivation of cannabis.
• A current priority for Warwick Central SNT is to reduce incidents of crime on The Shires Retail Park. Regular meetings have been arranged between the police and the store security managers to discuss security on the retail park, and crime prevention posters have been displayed locally. Officers are also trying to encourage further take up of the retail radio scheme.
• Significant arrests have been made by Warwick Central SNT officers following intelligence shared with them in the local community. Police say that they are encouraging local residents to pass on any information on criminal activity as it really can make a difference to the safety of a local community.
• Police Officers and Community Support Officers from the Warwick Central Team took part in an Open Day at Warwick Crown Court on 10 November as part of the national Inside Justice Week aimed at increasing public understanding of the whole criminal justice process.
• Police Community Support Officers from the Warwick Central Team set up a stall at Warwick market in November where they were able to offer crime prevention advice to members of the public. They had such positive feedback that they intend to repeat the exercise in the future.
• A male wanted for breaching a court order was arrested by SNT officers after a failed attempt to give officers the slip. Working with CCTV operators, he was located in a garden in Warwick, arrested and appeared before Stratford magistrates the following day.

Warwick Rural East

• Warwick Rural East SNT officers have offered reassurance to local residents about cars parking near Comptons garage in Cubbington at night. They have reminded young people meeting friends in the area that the land is private property and to show consideration by turning off car engines and lights to minimise disturbance.
• Police alerted local residents to a series of shed thefts at Old Milverton Allotments in April. They are reminding people to postcode their gardening equipment in bold letters as a deterrent to thieves and to share information with police if they see anything that appears suspicious.
• During an early spell of warm weather in May, the Warwick Rural East SNT have issued a warning to local residents reminding them to close their windows every time they leave the house as burglars are known to be opportunists and will take their chances where they see one.
• During a talk to Cubbington Women’s Institute in May, local PCSOs offered free DataLink canisters to local residents. These canisters are designed to be stored in the fridge and can be used to store medical and contact details for use by police or ambulance personnel in an emergency.
• Warwick Rural East SNT have worked hard to promote the force-wide ‘Remove it or lose it’ campaign in April reminding anyone with a sat nav system to remove it completely from their vehicle as they park, taking the cradle as well and wiping away the tell-tale suction pad marks.
• The Warwick Rural East SNT are committed to tackling nuisance motorbikes and in April, urged local residents to report incidents as they are taking place so that bikes being driven illegally can be seized, limiting opportunity for further nuisance.
• Police have warned about a man visiting premises in the area pretending he is servicing Chip and Pin terminals. Unless you have booked an engineer directly yourself and have double-checked identification on arrival, do not let anyone near your machines!
• Continuing their efforts to tackle nuisance motorbikes on local roads, the Warwick Rural East SNT seized a small motorbike being ridden erratically in the area in May.
• Warwick Rural East SNT issued S59 notices to a group of off-road scramblers in Baginton on 6 May, warning that they will face having their bikes seized if they are caught again in the next 12 months. Recognising that this is a hobby for some people, police have invited interested parties to a meeting to discuss the issue to see if they can work together to find somewhere to ride without causing nuisance or breaking the law.
• Following reports of dangerous cycling on pavements near North Leamington School, local SNT officers are reminding parents to enrol their children on a cycle awareness course, available via Warwickshire county Council. They warn that they do have the option of using £30 on the spot penalty notices but they would much prefer that cyclists heeded the warnings.
• Internal figures for Warwick Rural East SNT released in June suggest some real improvement in vehicle crime figures since the launch of Safer Neighbourhoods. Nevertheless police have warned there is no room for complacency and have reminded motorists to be vigilant about removing valuables from their vehicles every time they leave them.
• Police investigating the theft of around £12,000 of Royal Crown Derby porcelain from the Royal Show during set up are appealing for local residents and businesses to be vigilant. They are also warning that anyone buying stolen items risks having their purchases seized from them if traced by police.
• Warwick Rural East SNT have issued a warning to local residents after a man claiming to be from the Waterboard called at a local house saying he needed to check the water supply following an explosion at a nearby house. He left when the occupant threatened to call the police. Householders are reminded to check the identity of anyone calling at their door and to report any suspicious activity in their area, preferably as it is happening.
• A youth shelter in Radford Semele has been jointly funded by the SNT, the district, county and parish councils and a grant from the Youth Fund, and is expected to be installed shortly.
• Police have worked with local authorities to reduce traffic and congestion in Windmill Hill, Cubbington by installing a new footpath between Cubbington Sports & Social club and St Teresa's RC School thus creating a safer route for parents and their children.
• Officers from Warwick East SNT have been making good use of the mobile Safer Neighbourhoods police station to reach all areas of the local community.

Warwick Rural West

• A new police post has been opened at Hatton Park to increase the visibility and accessibility of Safer Neighbouhoods officers in the Hampton Magna and Hatton Park area. Officers say that the regular surgeries will allow those who cannot easily visit a police station to still make contact with their local SNT.
• Members of Warwick Rural West SNT helped with a car wash to help raise funds for a youth shelter planned for Budbrooke community centre in Hampton Magna. This follows direct consultation with young people living locally.
• Warwick Rural West SNT officers have held regular police surgeries in the outlying villages to give local residents a chance to share their concerns with police.
• Local SNT officers assisted with policing the Two Castles Road Race in June. The 10k run started at St Nicholas Park in Warwick Castle, passed via Leek Wootton to finish at Kenilworth Castle.
• Police worked alongside partner agencies in July to respond to flooding in Lapworth, Bishops Tachbrook and other locations in the Warwick Rural West area.
• Police warned local residents to be vigilant following the theft of several stone ornaments across South Warwickshire early in 2007. This included the theft of stone acorns from a driveway in Lapworth.
• Local SNT officers worked with partners to ensure a safe Halloween and Bonfire night. This included distribution of ‘No trick ot treat’ posters and visits to retailers concerning firework regulations

Whitnash

• Whitnash SNT are encouraging local residents to get involved in their local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. It can involve keeping an eye on each other's property, improving home security and building two-way communication with the police – all ways of making Whitnash an even better place to live.
• Safer Neighbourhoods officers and PCSOs are involved in the Whitnash POD project, an opportunity for local young people to meet up on Thursday evenings at Acre Close Recreational Ground.
• Whitnash PCSOs attended Warwickshire College Trident Centre in September to hand out Student Survival Packs to groups of new students. These contain crime prevention advice and useful contacts for those new to the area.
• Whitnash Safer Neighbourhood officers have been offering reassurance to local residents by cracking down on anti-social behaviour in the Acre Close Recreation Ground and Washbourne Field areas on Friday and Saturday evenings. They are using the high visibility Caught on Camera vans and warn that they will confiscate alcohol and tobacco from anyone under age, and will contact the parents of anyone involved in disorder.
• Whitnash Safer Neighbourhood officers have promoted the force-wide message for Halloween, encouraging young people to stay safe themselves and to respect the No Trick or Treat posters where displayed.
• Local teams have also promoted firework safety across Whitnash, reminding retailers of their legal responsibilities and warning that anyone letting off a firework in a public place may face a fine or fixed penalty notice.
• Whitnash PCSO Mike Green took part in the BBC's Politics Show on 21 October, highlighting the positive contribution made by PCSOs in the local community. ACC Bill Holland was also interviewed and described Warwickshire's PCSOs as first class.
• Local SNTs have stepped up patrols in the recreation grounds in Acre Close and Washbourne Field to combat anti-social behaviour in the area.
• Police have been working in partnership with the Youth Offending Team and the Probation Service to arrange the removal of graffiti from public areas, making Whitnash a more pleasant place to be.
• Robust action is being taken by police tackling illegal parking in and around Coppice Road. Fixed penalty notices will be issued to anyone parking on double yellow lines, single yellow lines, zig zag lines or on junctions during school arrival and leaving times.
• An SNT officer on patrol in Acre Close Recreation Ground on 8 October called for back up from the reactive team to stop a moped. The rider was subsequently reported for having no licence or insurance and the moped was seized.
• Police supported the council's SpeedAware initiative in Whitnash in October, where temporary fixed and mobile flashing signs were used to highlight the dangers of speeding.
• Whitnash SNT joined local councillors and wild life officers to crack down on fly tipping in the area in December 2006, targeting Church Lane. They used a poster campaign reminding offenders that they could face a £20,000 fine if convicted.

Leamington Town Centre

• Leamington Town Centre SNT was provided with funding to purchase two Robo Cams for their officers, which can be used to record both sounds and pictures – a powerful tool when capturing offenders on camera.
• PCSO Wendy Burrows was presented with a Citizen Focus award for her commitment to Safer Neighbourhoods at a ceremony in Leamington in January 2006.
• SNT officers were involved in Leamington Spa Police Station Open Day on 1 July where the doors to the station were opened to give the public an insight into the work police do and the range of vehicles and equipment they have available to them. (Jul)
• Leamington Town Centre SNT joined up with Connexions, YOT, Bath Community Venture, WCVYS & other youth projects to create the Geared Up Project, offering young people at risk of being involved in crime a positive opportunity for training in basic mechanics skills. Three from the group have enrolled in full time mechanics courses since their initial training while others have enrolled on other courses. (Jun & Sep)
• South Leamington SNT officers participated in the force wide campaign on sat nav security in April, reminding motorists to REMOVE it or LOSE IT!
• Leamington Town Centre SNT officers focussed their efforts on retailers in January in an effort to reduce criminal damage to property through graffiti. Their message to shop staff is to keep spray paint & other items that might be used for graffiti purposes behind a counter rather than readily accessible and to consider displaying warnings that these items will not be sold where it is considered they will be used inappropriately.
• Following close liaison with Leamington Town Centre SNT, KoKo’s bar moved over to using only Polycarbonate glasses in their nightclub and roof top bar in February. A significant reduction in serious assaults and injury has followed the introduction of these as an alternative to glass in other towns and cities, and police hope to encourage other licensed premises to follow suit.
• A multi-agency approach is considered to have been instrumental in a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour in Leamington Town Centre. Statistics between Jun 05 – April 06 and June 06 – April 07 show a 36% decrease in anti-social behaviour. This follows the introduction of Safer Neighbourhoods and the dispersal order, and the support from the councils, the business community and the CCTV team. (May)
• As part of the Operation Guardian campaign launched in the summer across Warwick District, Leamington Town Centre SNTs have been offering personal safety advice to young people and handing out ‘Wasted Nights’ flyers.
• SNT officers are in constant liaison with local licensees and operate a successful PubWatch scheme, sharing information on incidents of disorder and the enforcement of bans from licensed premises.
• The Town Centre SNT has held police surgeries in Royal Priors Shopping Centre, increasing their accessibility for local residents, retailers and visitors to Leamington.
• The Leamington branch of Marks & Spencer has provided office space for Town Centre SNTs to work from, giving officers a base in the heart of the retail community.
• The dispersal order in Leamington town centre has been extended to run for an extra six months from October 2007 to April 2008. This follows a significant decrease in crime in the town centre area.

Leamington North

• PC David Valente was presented with a Citizen Focus award for his commitment to Safer Neighbourhoods at a ceremony in Leamington in January 2006.
• An innovative road safety initiative devised by PCSO Lithgow from Leamington North Safer Neighbourhood Team saw five ‘Billy Bollards’ arrive outside Brookhurst Primary School at the start of the September term. The 5ft high child-shaped bollards are designed to prevent children getting injured on the road and are strategically placed to prevent illegal parking outside the school.
• The Leamington North SNT launched a ‘robust’ policing operation in May to tackle street racers in Binswood Avenue and Beauchamp Avenue. Police patrolled the area on a regular basis and issued tickets to drivers breaching the law. Several drivers caught in the area have already faced a £30 fine or prosecution.
• Officers have worked closely with Central Networks Revenue Protection officers and WDC Housing to identify those tampering with electric meters in order to steal electricity. This joint agency approach will help reduce the very real risk to life and property that such actions create.
• Officers in North Leamington are deterring criminal activity by wearing a digital video camera (RoboCam) attached to their headwear. Officers only record where they witness incidents or potentially aggressive situations. Footage is of high quality and can be used as evidence.
• In March, a call from a member of the public, CCTV back up and prompt action from local SNT officers meant that a young male was brought to justice for spraying graffiti on a wall in York Walk/Pump Room Garden area.
• A series of overnight operations in March to tackle criminal damage resulted in the arrest of five youths on suspicion of damage to cars parked in the North Leamington area.
• Three youths were charged with a string of driving offences in February after stealing a car from the Clarendon area of Leamington. The car was also recovered during the incident.
• North Leamington SNT officers reinforced force-wide advice on sat nav security in April, reminding motorists to REMOVE it or LOSE IT!
• Local officers from the North Leamington SNT conducted a speed awareness day in the area last November. They warn that they will be carrying out further checks and remind motorists that the speed limits are maximum speeds and that road conditions may mean you need to travel slower than these limits.
• Leamington SNT work closely with their local Neighbourhood Watch Association and are encouraging more people to join the Milverton branch of the organisation. It involves keeping an eye on each other’s property, improving home security and building a two-way communication with the police.
• Post office staff contacted police to tell them a man was cashing euros, following an early alert from North Leamington SNT to say that euros had been stolen in a burglary. A series of arrests followed with one male sentenced to three years imprisonment and a female to six months.

Leamington South

• In March, the Leamington South SNT completed an intensive training course on how to ride and use their new patrol bikes to affect arrests. They allow officers to be highly visible and accessible within the local community.
• Local SNT officers were involved in a drugs raid on a house in the Queensway area of Leamington in June. Over 250 cannabis plants were discovered and a man in his 50 was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
• Police joined up with the Residents of Brunswick Community in April to hold an open meeting where local residents can discuss issues particular to their area and to share their ideas on how to improve their neighbourhood.
• PCSOs attended a school fete at St Anthony’s RC School in June with a view to building public confidence in the police. Crime prevention coding packs given out at the event were well received and children and parents alike enjoyed seeing a police car at close quarters!
• Leamington South SNT have made information on hate crime available in other languages as well as English. The definition of hate crime and details of who to contact if you become a victim are translated into Polish, Portuguese and Italian on the Safer Neighbourhoods website.
• Leamington South SNT work closely with their local Neighbourhood Watch Association and are encouraging more people to join the Queensway and Sydenham branch of the organisation. It involves keeping an eye on each other’s property, improving home security and building a two-way communication with the police.
• Officers from South Leamington SNT have been awarded the Team Diversity Award for their work towards forging strong links with the Sikh Community in Leamington Spa.
• Traffic calming measures were implemented along the length of Queensway following partnership work between the police, the council and the Highways Agency.
• Road policing officers joined the SNTs in South Leamington for a day in March to tackle speeding along Gainsborough Road and Sydenham Drive. Two motorists received fixed penalty notices – one for £30 for not wearing a seatbelt and another for £60 for excess speed.
• Warwickshire Police are supporting a charity bike ride that aims to raise awareness of road safety in South Warwickshire while helping disadvantaged children in Kenya. Officers will be on hand at the sponsored event in Victoria Park, Leamington offering free postcode stamping for bikes to help identify them if stolen.
• The local SNT has used funding from its PACT panel meeting to purchase bikes and associated kit for Safer Neighbourhood officers. The team are regularly seen patrolling the area on bikes, increasing their visibility and public confidence.
• Local SNT officers launched Operation Helston to tackle criminal damage in the Christine Ledger Square area of Leamington, using a mix of high visibility and plain clothes policing over a concentrated two-week period. The result was a 60% reduction in reported incidents and assistance from the council in cleaning up hotspot areas of damage.
• Leamington South officers executed a misuse of drugs warrant in June as part of Operation Beaconsfield and a substantial amount of cannabis was seized. The male found responsible for the production of cannabis faced a heavy fine and 200+ hours of community service.
• A six-month dispersal zone ran between April and October 2007 in the Lee Road and Westlea Road. It was deemed a success after a fall in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour during this period.
• Leamington South SNT assisted with the Grand Union Canal Festival in May 2007, providing confidence patrols in and around the surrounding area.
• PCSOs have been along to St Anthonys, St Patricks, Sydenham Primary and Kingsway schools to give Stranger Danger talks to young children. They have also promoted the Zone website which gives information on a whole range of topics of interest to children of all ages.
• PCSOs in South Leamington have targeted every household in the Brunswick and Willes wards with the aim of establishing a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the area. NHW co-ordinators have been appointed and are starting to make a positive difference in the area.
• There has been a multi-agency approach to the problem of speeding in The Queensway and Gainsborough Drive area of South Leamington, with police issuing fixed penalty notices. The Highways Agency also produced speed awareness signs and introduced traffic calming measures to make the roads safer.
• A clean up operation organised by PCSOs has meant that Calder Walk Park has been transformed. Local residents say that it has changed from a no go area to a pretty area to be used by all.