I am sorry that I have not updated the blog recently, I have been on leave and then rather busy since my return. I am moving on to pastures new- the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Inspector at Warrington from the 1st October.

I have had a fantastic time at Runcorn and would like to thank all those who have supported me and my team who I really do think make a difference in the community

New NPU Inspector

The new NPU Inspector for Runcorn from the 1st October 2008 will be Derek Lockie who is currently the Inspector at Risley. Can I thank you all for your support over the last two years, this has been the most challenging but most satisfying role I have had within the organisation and I am sad to be moving on but please give Derek the welcome I had on my arrival.

Operation Orange 3

This Operation has run throughout the school holidays, since the last day of school it has concentrated on high visibility patrols at schools and appears to have deterred offenders from committing crime on closed school premises.

Operation Granite 2-Nuisance motorcycles

The number of calls with regards to nuisance use of motorcycles in Runcorn is still lower than last year, 25 motorcycles have now been seized since.

Quest Appointments

Quest appointments are still high dropping from 176 to 171, there are still days when the NPU service 11 or 12 appointments.

Performance

Overall crime performance has been helped this month by the number of drugs offences detected at Creamfields but this along with and increase in some violent crime and burglary dwellings has pushed the numbers of offences reported considerably over the target figure set.

The arrest of a couple of prolific offenders recently is likely to see a reduction in the volume of crime reported.

Current Priority Areas

1. Anti Social behaviour by youths in the Halton Lodge area, this is being targeted working alongside the Registered Social Landlord.
2. Youth Nuisance in the Grangeway area.
3. Burglary dwellings
4. Violent crime

Licensing Issues

The Operational plan is in its final stages of development with the intention to roll it out during the autumn prior to Christmas.

Community Action Meetings

Runcorn Central

• Monday 22nd September 2008 6pm @ Brookvale Children's Centre, Woodhatch Rd
• Monday 15th December 2008 7pm @ Hallwood Park School, Hallwood Park Avenue

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

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.

Runcorn and especially Sandymoor is being targetted by Burglars - Opportunist offenders commit most crimes.

• 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.

We are targeting the thieves that are targeting you but we need your help.

If you have information please contact the police.

For crime reduction advice contact Phil Buckley @ Cheshire Police phone 01244 613971

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

Operation Granite 2 has been running for 8 weeks in Runcorn, during this time the staff from the NPU have seized 17 motorcycles and issued a number of Section 59 notices to those using vehicles in an anti-social manner.

The hard work by the PCSO's and PC's has seen a massive reduction in the number of incidents reported to Runcorn involving nuisance motorcyles.

If you see anyone riding a motorcycle anti-socially contact us, if you know who was riding it and where they are keeping it tell us, we seize any bikes we have evidence are being used in such a manner.

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

It has been a sad week in Runcorn with the loss of so many lives connected to the town. The policing of the incidents has been testing and the town has been the focus of much media attention which hopefully now is abating.

One of the roles of the police is to provide reassurance in the affected areas sometimes drawing staff away from their usual beats. If you feel you have not seen your local officer recently and have any concerns contact me or any of the team on the numbers below.

Over the next few days, if you have noticed your local officer missing, you should see them again, please appreciate that they have been providing a heightened reassurance in specific areas of the town.

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

Runcorn East

• Wednesday 25th June 2008, 7pm @ Methodist Church, Preston on the Hill
• Wednesday 17th September 2008, 7pm @ Phoenix Park, Castlefields Avenue East

Runcorn Central

• Monday 30th June 2008, 8pm @ Halton Lodge Community Centre
• Monday 11th August 2008, 7pm @ Palace Fields Community Centre, The Uplands
• Monday 22nd Sept 2008, 6pm @ Brookvale Children's Centre, Woodhatch Rd
• Monday 15th Dec 2008, 7pm @ Hallwood Park School, Hallwood Park Avenue

Runcorn West

• Thursday 3rd July 2008, 7pm @ Runcorn Town Hall

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

Operation Granite 2 has been running in Runcorn since the 17th of April this year, targetting the anti-social use of mini motorbike, and off road bikes. This is a perenial problem which we target due not only to the nuisance caused, but also the dangers posed to the riders and other road users.

Since the start of the operation the NPU have seized 15 motorcycles which have been crushed, its not worth buying or using them as we will take them off you if you use them!!!!!

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