Operation Orange 3 ran last weekend and will be running every weekend over the summer here is a summary of what happened.

Friday 18th July 2008 was the last day of the current school year, traditionally there is an increase in anti social behaviour and drink related occurrences. In order to reduce the number of occurrences and provide reassurance to the community 20 NPU Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Special Constables took to the streets of Runcorn.

Staff targeted off licences offering advice to staff on the Challenge 21 scheme and ArcAngel. Pre -Operation leaflets had already been delivered under the ArcAngel and Consumer Protection Offwatch partnership.

A member of staff was deployed to the Halton borough Council CCTV room to monitor the cameras in the hot spot areas. He identified gatherings of youths and deployed patrols accordingly.

Officers were dedicated to repeat locations of ASB. These included Grangeway, Runcorn Hill & Phoenix Park.

Officers were equipped with hand held metal detectors to check for concealed weapons.

PCSO's were deployed to Rock Park, a joint venture between the Police, Cheshire Fire & Rescue and youths services for the 'Friday night in the Park event'

As a result of the operation:

• 3 persons were arrested for Possession of an offensive weapon (knuckle duster) as a result of the metal detectors.
• Two adults arrested for shop lifting at Grangeway, Runcorn.
• 1 person was issued a fixed penalty notice for £80 having been seen supplying alcohol to persons under 18.
• 92 vessels of alcohol, beer, wine, cider and spirits were seized during the night.
• On the night there was a reduction in youth related disorder with only 6 incidents being reported, this figure being lower than a normal Friday evening.

The operation is ongoing throughout the summer.

Also over the weekend the first Runcorn 'Frenzy-Nightclub experience' took place at Brookvale Recreation Centre.

Quest Appointments

Quest appointments continue to be high but not quite so high as last month, 185 appointments were serviced during the month. There was a noticeable fall off of appointment after the tragic events of Sunday the 15th of June.

Performance

After a couple of months of performance which has not reached the targets, the NPU has bounced back and has exceeded the detection rate set. This is despite the tragic deaths of Amy and Owen Philbin and their father in North Wales which had a considerable impact on Runcorn NPU. The management of an evacuation and the international press interest in both the deaths and the subsequent funerals had an effect on Neighbourhood Policing for a number of days.

Neighbourhood Crime Team

The Neighbourhood Crime Team have contributed to the performance improvement this month with a notable success in arresting an offender for the series of burglaries at sheltered accommodation. Since this arrest the series of crime has stopped.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary inspection

The initial feedback from the HMIC was positive, suggesting that the Constabulary had made considerable moves towards embedding Neighbourhood Policing and Citizen Focus in our daily business. A number of members of staff from Runcorn were involved in focus groups with the Inspection team and their contribution was commented on positively. The hard work carried out by the NPU and Neil Drum who was the liaison officer for the Northern Area has put us in a very strong position to take us forward into what I describe as 'Neighbourhood phase 2'- this is the long term development of our engagement plans and the many projects that the NPU are involved in.

Thefts from the Elderly and sneak in burglaries

As mentioned above the series of crimes against the elderly seems to have stopped.

There have been a couple of incidents recently where offenders have sneaked in through insecure front doors whilst the occupiers have been in the back garden and stolen car keys and other property, please pass on the following messages:

• DO NOT leave house and car keys on view. Be aware of the Hook and Cane type burglars.
• DO NOT leave garden tools and ladders out for burglars to use to force entry to your home.
• DO lock all doors and windows of your home even if you are leaving for a short time or even sitting in the garden.
• Please also ensure that all valuables are taken from your car when you park up.

If anyone would like Crime Prevention advice please contact Phil Buckley on 01244 613971.

Nuisance motorcycles

The number of calls with regards to nuisance use of motorcycles in Runcorn has dropped dramatically in comparison with June 2007.

In the last month there have been 48 calls regarding such activity compared with 101 last year for the same period. Operation Granite 2 is the NPU's operation to target the use of such vehicles anti-socially. This operation started at the beginning of April resulting in 17 motorcycles being seized since it started, with 10 of these being seized in June. The operation appears to be having a fantastic impact on the anti-social use of motorcycles.

Current Priority Areas

1. Parking issues in Preston Brook.
2. Anti-Social behaviour by youths in the Halton Lodge area.
3. Youth Nuisance in the Grangeway area.

Proactive Operations

Sergeant Andy Delooze continues to run our proactive warrants operations, the NPU to date has executed 30 search warrants since January this year, the majority of these have been for drugs based on community intelligence and all have had a positive result.

Community Action Meetings

Runcorn Central

• Monday 11th August 2008, 7pm @ Palace Fields Community Centre, The Uplands
• Monday 22nd September 2008, 6pm @ Brookvale Children's Centre, Woodhatch Rd
• Monday 15th December 2008, 7pm @ Hallwood Park School, Hallwood Park Avenue

Runcorn West

• Thursday 17th July 2008, 7pm @ Runcorn Town Hall

Runcorn East

• Wednesday 17th September 2008, 7pm @ Phoenix Park, Castlefields Avenue East

'Policing-Have your say' (Forum)

• Wednesday 8th October 2008, 7pm @ Grangeway Community Centre, Runcorn
• Wednesday 28th January 2009, 7pm @ Kingsway Learning centre, Widnes

Contact

In an emergency, always contact 999

For general enquiries or to report a crime or incident dial 0845 458 0000

For Crimestoppers ring 0800 555 111

For the Runcorn NPU ring 0845 458 6381 or e-mail
Runcorn.cat@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

To contact myself ring 01244 613912 or e-mail Richard.hill@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

Richard Hill, Runcorn Neighbourhood Policing Unit Inspector.

Quest Appointments

Runcorn NPU have dealt with 207 appointments in the last month which has ensured that those contacting the police to report a crime or incident which does not require an immediate response have been dealt with within 48 hours. This is a considerable improvement on the situation before the Quest appointment system was introduced.

Performance

Overall Crime in Runcorn is lower than the targets set, as is Criminal Damage and vehicle crime. The performance regarding Criminal Damage has been assisted by Phil Done, a CSI who is concentrating solely on this offence and by follow up visits from PCSO's.

Neighbourhood Crime Team

The Neighbourhood Crime Team has been running for a month with some notable successes which has included the arrest of a local prolific vehicle thief. DS Sharon Case and DS Dave Hutcheon lead this team who concentrate on burglaries, vehicle theft and assaults.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary inspection

The HMIC visit Cheshire starting the 2nd of June, they are focusing on Neighbourhood Policing and Citizen Focus, they will be speaking to officers and members of the public in the county to assess if Neighbourhood Policing is embedded in the core business of the force and to assess how we are improving with regards to Citizen Focus.

ArcAngel

Myself and Paula Davies spent a Friday afternoon and evening in the door way of ASDA at Runcorn promoting the ArcAngel message, using their sales figures we were able to target our activity when it would have the greatest impact.

We handed out 2250 leaflets to customers highlighting the issue of adults purchasing alcohol for youngsters and the situations that young people can find themselves in when they are drunk. The presentation was very well received and will continue during the summer at various locations around Runcorn.

National Tackling Drugs Week

National Tackling Drugs Week took place two weeks ago, it involved a series of multi agency initiatives including a low loader with a crushed car highlighting the powers we have to seize vehicles used in or purchased with the proceeds of crime.

We also sent out reassurance and advice using some Bluetooth technology which the local partnership have purchased, whereby active phones could be sent messages.

The week culminated in two warrants being executed in Murdishaw, Runcorn which resulted in the recover of some suspected drugs, other offences relating to abstracting electricity and theft of gas were also discovered.

Thefts from the Elderly

There has been an increase recently in the theft of money from elderly people within sheltered accommodation, an article has been in the local papers in the last week but if you know of any elderly people please reassure them and also encourage them to keep their valuables locked away. If anyone would like Crime Prevention advice please contact Phil Buckley on 01244 61971.

Nuisance Motorcycles/mini motos

There has been a general increase in calls regarding nuisance motorcycles, the NPU is running Operation Granite 2 to target those who use motorcycles illegally or in a way that causes annoyance. Last month 6 motor cycles were seized for no insurance and numerous people were warned for using vehicles anti-socially.

This operation will continue all summer, at times we will be using our off road motor cycles and the aeroplane.

Current Priority Areas

1. Mini Motos causing a nuisance in the Haddocks Wood area.
2. Anti Social behaviour by youths in the Halton Lodge area.
3. Youth Nuisance in the Grangeway area.

Community Activities

Members of staff from the NPU have been involved in a number of Neighbourhood days recently during which a subway on Windmill Hill and one on Castlefields were repainted covering graffiti. Also on Halton Lodge there was a Neighbourhood Clean up where all the partners and local residents including youngsters tidied the area up.

Some staff have also been helping with the Halton's Got Talent contest which is running as part of the Borough's support to Liverpool's year of Culture.

Contact

In an emergency, always contact 999

For general enquiries or to report a crime or incident dial 0845 458 0000

For Crimestoppers ring 0800 555 111

For the Runcorn NPU ring 0845 458 6381 or e-mail Runcorn.cat@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

Last Friday Paula Davies and I spent 5 hours in the entrance to Asda, Runcorn. We had display banners all about ArcAngel and in the time we were there we gave out 2250 leaflets telling people about ArcAngel, the problem of adults buying alcohol for youngsters and the risky activities that the youngsters get involved in when they are drunk.

I have to thank John Tobin and his staff at Asda for supporting us last week.

If you do buy alcohol for your kids or if you are asked by a group of youngsters outside a shop to buy them booze please think again - we will be carrying out more joint operations with Trading Standards and those caught will get £80 fixed penalties. So please think twice and help us to keep young people safe and sober. Just think it could be your parents who these kids annoy when they are drunk, the youngsters don't realise what they are doing disturbs others.

If you want to contact me or my team and don’t know how to you can ring 0845 458 6381and leave a message for us on our answer machine and someone should contact you within 48 hours, or send us e-mail at Runcorn.cat@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

ArcAngel has been mentioned previously on this Blog, this Friday it comes to Asda in Runcorn. I will be in the entrance lobby of Asda from 2.30pm and will be trying to raise everyone's awareness as to where the young people are getting their alcohol.

Last Friday the staff on duty in Runcorn took 75 of cans and bottles of alcohol from young people, this included two full boxes of Stella Artois! It does not help that alcohol is so cheap.

Asda have gone one step further than most retailers, they have introduced Challenge 25, they will check that you are over 25 when you want to but booze. All retailers now take the sale of alcohol to under 18s seriously and it is more often than not that someone over 18 is buying the alcohol either with the intention of passing on to youngsters or unwittingly buying it and the youngsters take it out with them on a Friday night.

Please think twice about buying booze for your kids or your younger friends, they are starting drinking younger and ending up in a terrible state and also put themselves in situations that they don't want to be in.

If you want more information about Arcangel come to Asda (Runcorn) tomorrow from 2.30pm.

If you want to contact me or my team and don’t know how to you can ring 0845 458 6381and leave a message for us on our answer machine and someone should contact you within 48 hours, or send us e-mail at Runcorn.cat@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

Policing is no longer just about the Cops chasing round in cars with blue lights and sirens, there is an element of that but we now rely on the bigger police family and the community.

Policing in this country is done by consent, I want people to support us and tell us what they feel are the problems in their area. We run Community Action Meetings (CAMS) when we ask the community what the local priorities should be for the next 3 months in their area, yesterday Mike Rimmer held one at the Town Hall for those who live in the Runcorn West area. The priorities agreed last night will be posted on this blog next week and I will also publish the dates of the CAMS over the next six months.

Helen Newlove this week has been talking to the Home Affairs Committee in London following the murder of her husband, Gary. She is the Patron of ArcAngel-our Alcohol Related Crime campaign.

She suggested that supermarkets and shops should be held more to account over the sale of alcohol, she also suggested that the parents of unruly youths who do not show responsibility should be named and shamed. A lot of what she said people in Runcorn are often telling me and my staff.

I feel that we need to work together with the community and the shops to identify those who are causing grief to the public. We have recently applied for an ASBO against a 15 year old who was making his neighbours life unbearable, this could not have been done without the help of all the community who told us what he had done.

If you have a problem tell us and we will work with you to try and resolve it.

If you want to contact me or my team and don’t know how to you can ring 0845 458 6381and leave a message for us on our answer machine and someone should contact you within 48 hours, or send us e-mail at Runcorn.cat@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

You could also post a response to this blog!

Hi I'm Richard Hill and I am the Inspector for the Runcorn Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU).

I believe that the role of Runcorn Neighbourhood Policing Team is to make life uncomfortable for those who make other people's lives uncomfortable. This means we target those people and the areas where there are problems that affect the community.

At the moment we are currently working with members of the public in the Grangeway area, as we have been made aware there is a problem with youths causing a nuisance and affecting the quality of life for residents.

We will be holding a public meeting shortly as we need you to help us to deal with the issues on the estate. Details of the meeting will be published in the local papers or if you want to find out more details contact us using the details at the end of the posting. Over the coming months we have plans to target similar problems in other parts of the town.

My staff deal with reports of youths causing a nuisance on a daily basis. The majority of young people do not cause a nuisance and it is often the image that is portrayed in the media - that all kids wearing hoodies are bad - that makes people feel unsafe when they see groups standing around. I do accept that some of these kids do cause damage and shout abuse at residents and often it is alcohol related.

The problem of adults buying alcohol for kids or 'proxy purchasing' is one which we are constantly targeting by working with Trading Standards and shop keepers. There is also an issue that parents, on occasions, do not know where their kids are, what they are doing and don't really care, some even supply them with alcohol. We will, and do, take action against parents whose children are persistently causing problems. We may even seek Parenting Orders on them!

ArcAngel is the Constabulary's approach to Alcohol Related Crime, and during the year we run various campaigns to target the misuse of alcohol and crime that results from it. We recently targeted a pub in the Old Town which has caused us concern for sometime, the premises were raided and it has been closed, with the licence being reviewed in early April. We will continue to target premises which cause us concern and will take robust action against them.

Runcorn Neighbourhood Policing Unit actively target drugs dealers in the community, reacting to information from residents, having impact weeks when we execute a number of warrants. Recently 15 warrants were carried out during which we found two large cannabis farms.