Agenda item

Sgt. Dean Hamilton introduced the report and advised that although the Beat Managers for the area remained the same, there were two new PCSO’s: Fiona Wilson and Amy Douche.  He said that although phone calls to the service were about the same as the previous year, the recorded number of crimes were low.  Cyber crime and the need for welfare and safeguarding services was increasing which reflected the new type of crime and incidences being reported.

In response to questions from Members, Sgt. Hamilton, Beat Manager Lines and the Community Safety & Projects Coordinator replied:-

·         Although reported crime information was available on an Area North and Beat Area basis, it was very time consuming to provide it on a parish basis.

·         The police still had discretion on how they dealt with a reported incidence but it had to be reported on the IT system called ‘Niche’.

·         More information on crimes per postcode area and an overview of crime disposals was available on the www.police.uk website

·         From 2017, every patrol officer would be issued with black shirts and body-worn cameras.

·         It was difficult to report conviction rates, however it was possible to report community resolutions and this would be included in the next report. 

·         The police force did have a Rural Crime Team who mainly provided evidence but they had given a talk on rural crime to local farmers during the summer.

·         Reported crime information was provided to Parish Clerks every month.

At the conclusion of the debate, Sgt. Hamilton agreed to provide contact telephone numbers for the Beat Managers and PCSO’s to Members and it was agreed to invite the Chief Constable to a future meeting of Full Council to discuss the proposed closure of Yeovil Police Station and other changes happening in the police force at the current time. 

The Chairman thanked Sgt. Hamilton and Beat Manager Lines for attending and providing an informative report.