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Neighbourhood Policing - Here For Good

Please click here to see the accompanying Here for Good Image Gallery on Flickr

Thursday, 1 September, 2011

Here for Good - North West Leeds

A Leeds woman who fought back to help rid her street of a drinking den that was a magnet for anti-social behaviour met West Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable .

Morag Martin, a resident of Rombalds Terrace, in Armley, met Sir Norman Bettison yesterday as he completed the final leg of his countywide tour for the Force’s ‘Here for Good’ campaign.

The campaign reaffirms the Force’s commitment to Neighbourhood Policing in local communities despite a decreasing police budget.

Sir Norman heard how residents in Rombalds Terrace joined forces with officers from the West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team and Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team to win a ‘rowdy house’ closure order that saw the problem property boarded up.

Neighbours had endured a catalogue of anti-social behaviour incidents, including foul language, threats and intimidation, after the council tenant allowed the property to be used as a drinking den by up to ten people at a time. Many incidents at the house were witnessed by children leaving the local primary school.

This is the eleventh problem property in the Armley and Bramley area to be shut down following joint action by the police and council in the last three years. Coupled with a number of anti-social behaviour orders, injunctions and dispersal orders they have had a major impact on crime and anti-social behaviour in the areas.

Earlier in the day Sir Norman visited a multi-agency vehicle checks operation in Thornbury which is part of ongoing work to crack down on metal theft and target criminals travelling between Leeds and Bradford.

He later visited Armley Lazer Centre to see how local neighbourhood policing teams and Leeds City Council’s Youth Service are working together to encourage local young people to steer clear of anti-social behaviour and use their leisure time constructively.

Members of the Moorside Tenants and Residents Association, in Bramley, also received a visit from Sir Norman as part of his tour of the area. He met Beverley Doughton, who is secretary and treasurer of the group, to hear her views on how “old fashioned bobbying” under the neighbourhood policing model has helped to cut crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Sir Norman said: “Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of everything we do - and it's here for good. Our neighbourhood policing teams have helped to drive up confidence and drive down crime and by working with others they have sorted out local problems to make life better for all.

"I remain determined that neighbourhood policing will remain the heart and soul of how we operate as a police service. In spite of everything else that we have to do in 2011, I am committed to retaining nearly 2,000 staff working directly with local communities.”

Chief Inspector Jim McNeil, who leads North West Leeds Division’s neighbourhood policing teams, said: “The work Sir Norman has heard about clearly illustrates the difference our neighbourhood policing teams have made and are continuing to make across our communities. By building strong grassroots relationships with local communities and working with partner agencies we are tackling the issues that affect local people’s quality of life the most.

“I’m sure those communities will be reassured to hear the Chief Constable making this commitment to maintaining neighbourhood policing in their areas.”

The Chief Constable’s visit concluded with at meeting at Safety Central, in Bramley, where he met with local councillors, representatives of key partner agencies and members of local communities.

Wednesday, 31st August, 2011

Here for Good - Wakefield

Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison has been joining front line officers on the beat in Hemsworth as part of the force’s ‘Here for Good’ campaign.

The campaign kicked off earlier this month in Leeds and centres around reassuring the public that neighbourhood policing is here to stay and will remain a key priority for West Yorkshire Police despite a decreasing police budget.

Sir Norman visited the West End area of Hemsworth followed by Cottam Croft to see first hand some of the work that has been carried out to help solve local issues for residents.

The West End Project involved police, partners and the local community making significant positive changes to an area that was affected by crime and anti-social behaviour. The community have now seen great improvements in the quality of life in the West End and are able to enjoy the use of a park as well as taking part in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and regular meetings of the Hemsworth District Partnership Group

The West End Project was recently entered in the Home Office Tilley Awards which were set up thirteen years ago to recognise innovative crime fighting projects where police and local community safety agencies are working together to identify and tackle local crime problems. They are waiting to hear if their nomination has been successful.

Sir Norman then moved on to meet residents living near to Cottam Croft ginnel which has been the subject of anti-social behaviour for a long period of time including problems with graffiti and criminal damage. Wakefield South East Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and partners have worked together, problem solving, for the past year to ensure the final closure of the ginnel last month. The ginnel has now been blocked off at both ends bringing peace and quiet for residents.

Having toured with local NPT officers in Hemsworth Sir Norman then returned to Wakefield to meet with the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Marc Callaghan, along with other members of the senior management team followed by local councillors, police authority area members, neighbourhood managers and other representatives from active community groups.

He was given an insight into further examples of NPT partnership working across Wakefield District including operations involving joint days of action, an innovative training programme for children at risk of exclusion from school incorporating the resettlement of offenders from prison, and also a Battle of the Bands competition using music to bridge the gap between young people in different local communities.

Commenting on the ‘Here for Good’ campaign, Sir Norman said Neighbourhood Policing would remain at the centre of policing in Wakefield District.

"Here in West Yorkshire, Neighbourhood Policing is at the heart of everything we do - and it's here for good," said Sir Norman. "Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams have helped to drive up confidence and drive down crime and by working with others they have sorted out local problems to make life better for all.

"I am determined that neighbourhood policing will remain the heart and soul of how we operate as a police service."

Wakefield District Police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Marc Callaghan, said: "There are seven NPTs covering the district all working hard with local communities to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods – making them among the safest in the county.
“Key to our success is our partnership with the public - our work is all about asking local residents what they want, what issues really affect them and their quality of life. Then rather than one agency tackling the problem in isolation we all work together to reach a lasting solution.
“We plan to build on that work and look to identify innovative ways of delivering the most efficient and effective service which will continue to make our district a safe place in which to work, live and visit.”

Cllr Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for Communities, said: "By working together we are starting to achieve our ultimate goal of improving our neighbourhoods and making them safer for everyone.

"The 'Here for Good' campaign is letting people know that neighbourhood policing is a priority for the district and the projects that Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison visited demonstrate the positive impact this partnership is having."

Thursday, 25th August, 2011

‘Here for Good’ in Bradford

West Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable undertook a tour of Bradford on Wednesday 24th August in the latest stage of the Force’s ‘Here for Good’ campaign.

As part of his tour of the Bradford South Division, Sir Norman Bettison saw all aspects of Neighbourhood Policing in the Bradford South Division including recent successes.

At the beginning of the day, he met with the Lord Mayor of Bradford in Great Horton to hear about the ongoing work to tackle drug dealing. Called the BD5 Project, it aims to empower the local community and has substantially increased calls to Crimestoppers and allowed police and partners to take action.

While he was there, he also learned about the recent Designated Public Place Order put in place by the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Bradford East Area co-ordinators in West Bowling to drive out drink related anti social behaviour. This has seen a 29 percent reduction in overall crime since it was put in place at the end of May.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Naveeda Ikram, said:

"I am a Ward Councillor for Little Horton so obviously I am particularly interested in the initiatives being pursued in that area and pleased to hear they are already having a good effect in reducing crimes related to drink and drug problems.

"I am a great supporter of Neighbourhood Policing and I hope that enlisting the help of young people will forge good relationships with local communities and make them safer places for us all."

Later in the day, Sir Norman travelled to the Hanfia Mosque in Manningham to speak with the Young Ambassadors involved in the MAGIC or ‘Manningham And Girlington Influencing Change’ project.

The local teenagers have been involved in a nine week project alongside the NPT comprising of weekly sessions covering issues such as arson, weapons, disorder and car crime. They then become Young Ambassadors for their own area.

During the Chief's visit, they were helping officers to fit anti theft screws to number plates and also presented Sir Norman with an award for helping to support their work.

Wednesday 24 August, 2011

The Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison confirmed that Neighbourhood Policing Teams are ‘Here for Good’ during a tour of Calderdale yesterday (Tuesday).

After a meeting with members of Calderdale’s Senior Management Team at Brighouse Police Station, Sir Norman went on a whistle-stop tour of the town where each of the four NPTs in Calderdale were involved in specific initiatives to tackle priority crime.

He went to Bailiff Bridge memorial gardens where officers from the Lower Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team were holding a crime prevention and community event.

During his visit he met local NPT officers and staff, including those who had received WOW! Awards from the public for helping to reduce anti-social behaviour. He also met with local councillors and community representatives.

He then joined officers out on patrol in the Rastrick area, where he met members of the local community and representatives from partner agencies.

Sir Norman’s visit had been timed to coincide with officers carrying out stop checks on vehicles, identifying vulnerable premises and offering crime prevention advice to help reduce burglary.

At a meeting in Halifax later that afternoon, Sir Norman addressed local Councillors, Police Authority members, chief executives from the Local Authority and representatives from key community groups.

Sir Norman said: “Neighbourhood Policing is at the heart of everything we do and it’s here for good.

“It’s here to make the community stronger, to provide more reassurance and more confidence.

“It is important that in these uncertain times, we as a Force, maintain our commitment to you - the people of Calderdale. I want Neighbourhood Policing Teams to be accessible and something you can rely upon. Making you feel safe and protected within your community is our main priority.

“Neighbourhood Policing is about keeping officers on your streets. It’s about tackling issues which matter in your area and letting you know what we are doing about it.

“Together with our partners and the local community we continue to work together to solve local problems.”

Calderdale’s Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Hardern, said: “Just as the Chief Constable is doing all he can to minimise the impact of budget cuts on front line policing, I am doing all I can to deliver local policing services through neighbourhood teams working together with partner agencies and the public.

“Despite the budget cuts to the public sector, we must continue to ensure that our communities feel safe. I remain committed to providing a first class local service but I need the support of the public to do this. One way of doing this is through Neighbourhood Watch and I want to develop the Watch principles throughout Calderdale.”

Councillor Janet Battye, Leader of Calderdale Council, said: "I am delighted that Sir Norman has confirmed that Neighbourhood Policing Teams are “Here for Good”.

“I share Sir Norman’s enthusiasm for Neighbourhood Policing. As a Council we've maintained our commitment to this by continuing to support Community Support Officers. Local people tell me how much they value the reassurance of seeing ‘bobbies on the beat’.

"I'm also pleased that we continue to work well in partnership with the Police and this has helped ensure that together we're able to look after local people and local businesses."

Friday, 19th August, 2011

Sir Norman Bettison saw operations during his visit to Airedale and North Bradford and witnessed first hand some of the Neighbourhood Policing work that is ongoing in the area, including in Keighley.

The visit was part of the Force's Here For Good campaign which launched last week and involves the Chief touring the Force to reassure officers and the public that Neighbourhood Policing is here for good, despite the Force needing to make savings.

As part of his visit to Keighley he met partners and residents, and looked at new proactive operations to target criminals as well as getting an insight into a flagship Keighley Police initiative to raise public confidence in the town.

The Operation Kalendar drive has seen officers conduct detailed surveys of residents in selected areas to see what their main concerns are and then investigate them fully.

If those concerns have proved unfounded local Police have acted to shatter myths and make residents aware of the true situation while suggesting other issues they need the community's support to focus on.

Similarly, where concerns have been justified, Police have worked with communities to bring an end to local problems.

The Chief also met officials involved in a Mosaic charity project which helps raise aspirations for young Asian girls and mothers who could have difficulty integrating into society.

Keighley NPT officers have become the first in the country to act as mentors for the Prince of Wales endorsed charity which has now helped find work for local women who would otherwise have struggled to integrate because of confidence and language issues.

Meanwhile, along with colleagues from other NPTs they have also been busy carrying out a number of district wide crime prevention campaigns this summer including initiatives to help secure cars, better protect properties, target off road bikers and continued drives to arrest high profile burglary suspects.

Commenting on the Here For Good campaign, Sir Norman said Neighbourhood Policing would remain at the centre of Policing in Keighley and also in Airedale and North Bradford.

He said: "Policing starts and finishes in communities. I have always believed that officers should therefore be dedicated to their 'patch' so that they become visible, accessible and familiar. This is better than being remote and driving to deal with specific crimes and incidents".

"In spite of everything else that we have to do in 2011, I am committed,” he said, "to retaining nearly 2,000 staff working directly with local communities".

"I remain determined that neighbourhood policing will remain the heart and soul of how we operate as a police service."

Chief Inspector Mabs Hussain of Airedale and North Bradford Police, said: “Neighbourhood Policing is the cornerstone of our drive to make communities safer in this division and it has been achieving real results as we have seen in Keighley.

“So far just this year, officers from the NPT have led or been involved in operations which seized £250,000 of drugs in just two weeks, jailed gang members, taken weapons from our streets and been involved in POCA confiscations which have recovered over £861,000 across the division since April.

"Officers also work in partnership with residents through schemes such as Mosaic to help integrate hard to reach groups into our communities, showing our officers are very much part a full part of the neighbourhoods they work to protect.”

He added: "Efforts by local policing officers in Keighley are mirrored by colleagues across the whole of Airedale and North Bradford as it is only by working hand in hand with residents that we can help to make our communities safer."

The Chief Constable will continued to confirm that Neighbourhood Policing Teams are "here for good" yesterday when he saw how officers in Keighley are combating drugs and related crime.

Thursday, 18th August, 2011

Sir Norman Bettison, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, took to the streets of East Leeds yesterday as he reaffirmed his commitment to neighbourhood policing as part of the 'Here for Good Campaign'.

Starting the day off in Garforth, Sir Norman accompanied officers to a regular meeting of the local Neighbourhood Elders Team (NET), who provide support for the growing number of older residents that live across 13 outlying villages around East Leeds.

Sir Norman heard how local PCSOs from the Garforth, Kippax and Swillington NPT have created a strong working relationship with Garforth NET assisting with crime prevention initiatives and ensuring that vulnerable elderly residents receive any necessary support and care.

Moving from Garforth to Meanwood in the north of the city, Sir Norman took part in a street briefing involving officers from the Roundhay, Alwoodley and Moortown NPT along with a number of local partner agencies.

The street briefing forms part of Operation Binary, which has been a multi-agency approach to tackling localised anti-social behaviour on the nearby Stonegate Estate. Over recent months local residents had been affected by youths who were congregating on street corners, throwing stones at homes and vehicles and verbally abusing members of the local community.

In response NPT officers conducted a large information sweep, speaking to over a hundred local residents and utilising CCTV and police intelligence systems to identify a number of 'ringleaders'. These individuals were then the subject of intensive work from the police, council and a number of other local partnership organisations including enforcement, education and support. This has helped to reduce the problems seen locally and establish stronger links between police and residents.

Back at Stainbeck Police Station, Sir Norman met officers from the Chapel Allerton Neighbourhood Policing Team and listened to the way in which they had worked to minimise the recent disorder in Chapeltown and how they were continuing to work in the community, building greater trust and stronger relationships.

Following a meeting with senior officers from North East Leeds the Chief Constable attended an open forum at a nearby community centre where he addresses more than 30 local councillors and partner agency representatives.

After seeing a number of examples of the difference made by neighbourhood policing in the local area, Sir Norman reaffirmed his commitment to supporting front line officers.

Addressing the forum he said: "Neighbourhood Policing remains the fundamental building block of local policing. That means visible, familiar, accessible faces on the ground dealing with priorities in local communities, exactly like I have seen here today.

"The impact neighbourhood policing can have is an increase in public reassurance and a reduction in incidents; these have reduced by 120,000 over the past two years because NPTs continue to deal with issues before they become problems.

"I have a personal passion for this style of policing and my commitment is to keep the eight NPTs in North East Leeds working directly with local communities."

Sir Norman also paid tribute to Leeds City Council for continuing to fund PCSOs across the district.

Friday, 12th August, 2011 - 4.25pm

The Chief Constable, Sir Norman Bettison spent the second day of his 'Here For Good' Neighbourhood Policing tour visiting Kirklees.

After meeting with the SMT at Huddersfield Police Station, Sir Norman went to the Chestnut Centre, Deighton and Sheepridge WMC and the Asda on Bradford Road - three of the areas worst affected by this week's disorder.

From there he was taken to the Masjid Noor Ul Islam Mosque on Snowden Street, Batley and then to Wilton Park in Batley where he met with Park Warden Barry Daly and a team of officers and partners who had worked to secure ASBO's against 4 youths who had caused problems in the Park.

At a meeting in Huddersfield later that afternoon Sir Norman addressed local Councillors, community leaders, partners and the media about the Force's response to the disorder experienced in Leeds and Huddersfield, as well as about the 'Here For Good' campaign.

He said: " [today] I have been meeting people to reassure them that we are here to stay...the best service we can deliver to the public of West Yorkshire is through having and sustaining the number of staff we have today."

"Policing starts and finishes in communities," he added.

Sir Norman's third visit will take him to North East Leeds on 17 August.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sir Norman began his whistle-stop tour of all 48 Neighbourhood Policing Teams in south Leeds yesterday (Wed Aug 10).

After visiting the successful Cardinals Closer Communities Project in Beeston, where the Chief met the Holbeck NPT and took a tour of the Cardinal Youth Club, he then assisted the Morley NPT as part of ‘Operation Dungeon’ – the City and Holbeck Division’s partnership crackdown on metal theft.

Sir Norman then met with local councillors and community activists at Morley Town Hall, where he reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Neighbourhood Policing across the county.

Councillor Peter Gruen, chair of Safer Leeds said: “We invest heavily in ensuring the council plays its full part in keeping Leeds people safe.

“We work closely with West Yorkshire Police and the neighbourhood policing teams, so it is great to hear that there has been a firm commitment put in place towards these teams.”

Vice-Chair of West Yorkshire Police Authority and Chair of the Resources Committee, Councillor Les Carter, said: "Police Authority members share both Sir Norman's enthusiasm for neighbourhood policing and his intention that it will remain central to how policing is delivered in West Yorkshire.

"Neighbourhood policing is the frontline policing that members of the public want to see working in their own communities, and it's important that even in these difficult financial times it remains a key priority.

"We're currently planning the police budget for 2012/13, which takes place during the second of four years of Government reductions in our funding. Spending on neighbourhood policing will be preserved at the highest possible levels in this difficult financial climate."

Monday, August 8, 2011

West Yorkshire Police will this week pledge that Neighbourhood Policing is ‘Here for Good’ despite a decreasing Police budget.

In a campaign that starts this week in Leeds and Kirklees, Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison will be joining front line officers on the beat in different areas across the county to see how the Force’s 48 Neighbourhood Policing Teams are tackling local issues and making people feel safe.

He has also invited local partners and West Yorkshire Police Authority members, including the Chairman Councillor Mark Burns Williamson, to some of the events.

The Chief Constable will be visiting the following Divisions across West Yorkshire:

Wednesday 10th August – City & Holbeck
Thursday 11th August - Kirklees
Wednesday 17th August – North East Leeds
Thursday 18th August – Airedale & North Bradford
Tuesday 23rd August – Calderdale
Wednesday 24th August – Bradford South
Tuesday 30th August – Wakefield
Thursday 1st September – North West Leeds

Click here to visit the Neighbourhood Policing Team website. Use your postcode to find news, contacts and information from your neighbourhood.

Did you know?

West Yorkshire Police has 48 Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs).

Each team is made up of an Inspector, Sergeants, PCs and PCSOs and in most cases they are supported by NPT Coordinators, Special Constables and Volunteers.

The Force currently has 729 Police Community Support Officers.

Over half of the population say they are confident in West Yorkshire Police - this is 350,000 more people than three years ago.

West Yorkshire Police has one of the highest public confidence levels in the country.

NPTs work closely with other parts of the Force to tackle local problems, these include Homicide & Major Enquiries Team, Crime Division, Operations Support, Response and so on.

The number of incidents reported to West Yorkshire Police has reduced by 120,000 over the past two years as NPTs continue to deal with issues before they become problems.

West Yorkshire Police is currently the second most visible Force in the country.

If you wish to speak with your local NPT there are a number of contact opportunities such as telephone, email, Facebook, contact points, street surgeries, PACT meetings – both online and at local community venues. Details of these are on the website www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npt

NPTs work closely with partner agencies to target local problems more effectively. These include local Councils, Housing Associations, the Fire Service, schools and voluntary agencies to name a few.