Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Minutes:
Sergeant Matt Delaney (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer any questions from Councillors or members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.
The following comments were made/issues raised:-
· It was reported that Operation Rotation, Operation Wildflower, and Operation Picton had recently been conducted successfully and had provided reassurance to local communities in the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area.
· An update on crime statistics and trends in the area was provided. It was reported that the police solved 77% more residential burglaries than in the previous year. The number of people arrested on suspicion of burglary had also increased by 42.1% and reported burglaries had dropped by 24% in Greater Manchester and that these trends were reflected in local data. Burglaries had decreased month on month throughout the year until October. However, it was reported that two new criminal teams were operating in the area targeting performance vehicles which the police were actively investigating.
· Residents were reminded to increase security where possible as darker nights approached.
· An update on the issue of drugs was provided. Residents were encouraged to share intelligence with the police as previous intelligence had resulted in the seizure of cannabis with the value £250,000. It was noted that proceeds of crime were invested back in to the community.
· It was reported that the issue of off road and electric bikes and associated criminality remained an issue in the area however 10 arrests had been made in relation to this including incidents in the Woodford Garden Village area. One suspect was reported to have been charged with 20 offences. Identification of suspects remained a challenge and residents were encouraged to share intelligence with the police including but not limited to dashcam footage. It was also reported the Smart Spray was being utilised to easier link suspects to crimes.
· An update was provided on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) with 28,000 instances recorded in Greater Manchester. Stockport districts were reported to account for 2,276 of these instances with this area accounting for 405 instances. While levels of ASB remained relatively low in the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area, there was a concentration of reported instances on Station Road, Cheadle Hulme that was associated with the night time economy. It was reported that ASB spiked in June however has since decreased each month.
· Operation Treacle was reported to be underway with the busiest night being Halloween. 25 grade one incidents were responded to in a four hour time frame but there had been a reduction following this. High visibility patrols in the area had continued to reassure the community.
· An update was provided on the Right Care Right Person model which was reported to be having a positive impact on attendance times and officer hours after being launched on the 30 September 2024.
· Members raised concern regarding the issue of speeding on Woodford Road and sought clarity on how resources to address the issue were allocated. In response it was clarified that the Road Police unit would be deployed to an area as they had the resources to address speeding. Additionally, it was stated that Members were able to refer areas to the police if there were concerns. It was also reported that Community Speedwatch volunteers from outside the area were due to assist with training local Speedwatch volunteers.
· Members sought clarity on the cause of a serious road traffic accident which occurred on Ravenoak Road, Cheadle Hulme a number of months ago and queried if improvements to road makings and signage would mitigate against the potential for further such incidents. In response, it was clarified that further information would be obtained and fed back to members.
· Members sought clarity regarding the new system which reduced the police from four to three divisions across Stockport and the resources available to ensure that residents in this area were still receiving the support. In response, it was stated that resources had been kept in the area however a number of officers had left the service and had not yet been replaced with recruitment ongoing. Additionally, it was reported that a new experienced Sergeant would be joining the team.
· Members extended an invitation to the police to attend the Remembrance Sunday events in the area.
· Members of the public were encouraged to use ‘Bee In The Loop’ service to receive neighbourhood policing updates.
RESOLVED – That Sergeant Delaney be thanked for his attendance.