Agenda item

5.1

Inspector Jason Booth, South Yorkshire Police, reported that a series of burglaries had taken place in the Frecheville area between late December 2012 and the previous weekend.  He indicated that burglaries were not usually a problem in the South East area and went on to describe the actions which the Police had taken in response.  These included additional officers being deployed, extra patrols being made by the Road Crime Team and the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, and the offer of the Smartwater forensic kit to residents of the affected areas.  Inspector Booth explained that the Smartwater forensic kit enabled people to mark their property in a unique manner, thus making it difficult to sell on, and this was supported by the use of window stickers to indicate its deployment to potential burglars.  As a result of these measures, there had been no burglaries in the last few days and he asked people to be mindful of misinformation which was circulating on social media and creating fear in the community.

5.2

Responses were provided to public questions as follows:-

·               There had been no reports of a burglary the previous day on Longstone Crescent and the Smartwater team were targeting Youlgreave Drive which was located in the East Community Assembly area. 

·               The Police had received good information in relation to the possible perpetrators of the burglaries in the Frecheville area.

·               It was not thought that the perpetrators were from the Frecheville area and positive lines of enquiry were being pursued with the hope of some progress by the following week.  Residents could receive updates via Facebook or through their Councillors or the media.  The screens in doctors’ surgeries were also used to circulate information. 

·               It appeared that there were two main times when burglaries were taking place, those being between 3.30 pm and 4.00 pm when it was going dark, and between 8.00 pm and 9.00 pm which mainly seemed to be as a result of unsecure doors.  The majority of early morning burglaries appeared to be for car keys where high quality vehicles were parked in people’s drives.  The importance of keeping car keys out of sight and setting alarms was emphasised. 

·               Whilst there had been a couple of burglaries reported in Hackenthorpe, it didn’t appear that the area was being targeted.

·               There had been some vigilante activity in Frecheville which was not helpful.  What was important was that people remain observant and report anything suspicious.

·               People could report incidents using the 101 number or via Crimestoppers.

·               If people became suspicious of individuals sitting in cars parked outside their houses for extended periods of time, they could report this to the Police who would be able to confirm whether or not it was a plain-clothes Police officer.

·               Anyone interested in obtaining a Smartwater kit should leave their contact details on the sheet which was being circulated at the meeting.

5.3

RESOLVED: That the South East Community Assembly:-

(a)

thanks Inspector Jason Booth for attending the meeting and reassuring the public; and

(b)

notes the information reported.