Forest South Safer Community Team

Carl Bourne – New Safer Community Team Sergeant for Forest South

 July 28 2010

Carl Bourne has taken over as the Safer Community Team Police Sergeant for the Forest South area, which covers Coleford, Lydney, Tidenham and Sedbury.

Carl joined Gloucestershire Constabulary in 2001 and spent his initial years working as a response officer in the Forest of Dean. He worked for two years in Hucclecote and then returned to the Forest to become duty sergeant in Cinderford.

In July this year Carl requested a move to Forest South Safer Community Team and began work there last week.

Carl said: “Leading the Forest South Safer Community Team is great. I work alongside nine Police Community Support Officers and three Police Constables funded directly by Gloucestershire County Council, which means they are additional to the budgeted staffing levels for Gloucestershire Police.

“Our aim is always to work very closely with other agencies to deliver services to our communities. I’ll also be endeavouring to ensure that we remain as accessible as possible to our residents. 

“If you have matter that you wish to discuss I can be contacted on the non-emergency number 0845 090 1234 or e-mail at forestsouth-sct@gloucestershire.police.uk“

Harrison Way Stores in Lydney Surrenders Alcohol Licence

July 17 2010

Harrison Way Stores in Lydney has surrendered its licence to sell alcohol after drinks were sold by someone who was not authorised to sell them.

PC Duncan Sleeman, Licensing Officer for the Forest, said: “The store surrendered its licence to the local authority after selling to an undercover police officer and will reapply when a member of staff passes the personal licence course.”

“We take any breach of a licensing contract very seriously as the community would want us to.”

Schools Achievement Awards- Forest South 2010

This project was set up to acknowledge those students at primary school age who deserve recognition for their achievements. This is open to all primary schools in the forest south area and gives the school the opportunity to honour a pupil who has shown outstanding achievement through the term be it purely academic or through some adversity i.e. a disability like dyslexia, physical disability or a troubled home life.

Congratulations to the following students who have been given a schools achievement award:

Parkend Primary School 

Bailey Summers for achievement in cross country running 

Ella Didcott for achievement in gymnastics

Lauren Wallis for achievement in athletics

Aylburton Primary School 

Kate Murphy for her kindness to students and helpfulness to staff

Matthew Grindle, Alex McMillan, and Stephanie Austin for their excellent work on the year 6 school council

Woolaston Primary School  

Well done to Ashley Harris, Chloe Fox, and Kieran Meek for enjoying and achieving through adversity in school and the community.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about this project please contact PCSO Pete Timmins on 0845 090 1234 or pete.timmins@gloucestershire.police.uk

Forest South SCT attend local events 2010

Officers from the Forest South SCT have been out in the community getting involved in local events. Officers have been attending with police cars and information stands to offer crime prevention advice and build on our community relations. Below are just some of the events that we have attended:

Severnbanks School Summer Fete 11th June 2010

Co-op Community Event, Bathurst Park, Lydney 3rd July 2010

Wyedean School Fun Run 9th July 2010

Milkwall Fun Day 10th July 2010

Aylburton Carnival 10th July 2010

Lydney Hospital Fete 17th July 2010

If you have an event that you think the forest south SCT should be aware of please contact us on 0845 090 1234 or email us at forestsouth-sct@gloucestershire.police.uk

Officer who chased down drink-driving teenagers nominated for bravery award

A Gloucestershire police officer who chased down two drink-driving teenagers who reversed at him has been nominated for honour at this week’s National Police Bravery Awards.

While on patrol, PC Jason Norman St George noticed two youths drinking and driving around a car park in Coleford, in the Forest of Dean, and went to investigate.

The driver reversed at him as he approached, dragging him along briefly. When they failed to get the car over a steep bank they careered back down to where he stood.

PC Norman St George, of Forest South Safer Community Team, leapt out of the way with just a split-second to spare and the car sped off.

The 37-year-old radioed in the incident but with back up ten minutes away, he took off after the vehicle, while reporting in to the force helicopter.

He came across the vehicle which had crashed into a parked car as the teenagers were starting to make their escape.

The driver pushed PC Norman St George aside as he ran but he soon caught up with them, using his baton to secure the arrest of the aggressive youths.

Tony Melville, Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, who is attending the ceremony in London on Thursday, said: “PC Norman St George showed exemplary courage, presence of mind, and determination in dealing with this incident.

“His actions show yet again the dedication of our officers in keeping people safe from harm, while often putting themselves in the way of serious danger. I am proud of him and his dedication to duty.”

The Police Bravery Awards, hosted in partnership with The Sun newspaper, is an annual event which honours Police Officers across England and Wales for their actions to tackle criminals and keep the public safe. 

This year marks the 15^th anniversary for the Police Bravery Awards which will be held on July 8 at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane.

To find out more about Neighbourhood Policing and your local Safer Community Team, please visit the Neighbourhood Policing section of the Gloucestershire Constabulary website.

Drugs Arrests In Lydney

 June 30 2010

Police in Lydney arrested four people in connection with drugs offences following a raid in Harrison Way yesterday.

A search warrant was executed at a business address there on Tuesday, June 29 and a quantity of herbal cannabis was found. Cannabis plants were also seen in a neighbouring garden and seized.

A 19-year-old woman, 20 year-old man and 23-year-old man, all from Gloucester, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and bailed to attend Gloucester Police Station on September 6.

A 38-year-old man from Lydney was also arrested on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs and cultivation of a class B drug. He was bailed to attend Gloucester Police Station on August 5.

Forest Inspector Chris Thorley: "This was a proactive, intelligence-led police operation.

“Drugs can blight our communities and operations like this should give people confidence that we will take action wherever possible to address any issues raised.

"If people have concerns about drugs in their community, they should call us on 0845 090 1234."

Forest Sees Biggest Drop In Crime In The County

Crime in the Forest of Dean is down by almost a fifth compared to last year, according to the latest annual figures, meaning that the Forest has seen the biggest reduction in crime out of all Inspector Neighbourhood Areas in the county.

For more information, please read the full press release by clicking here.

Trailblazer Operation Aims To Crack Down On Anti-Social Bikers In The Forest

 Operation Trailblazer began this weekend, May 22, and will see Forest North and Forest South SCT officers on foot, mountain bike and off-road motorcycles aiming to locate offenders in the area. Officers will also be using head-mounted cameras to gather video evidence as a new tool in their armoury.

Forest of Dean Police Sergeant Simon Clemett said: “There have been numerous complaints from local residents and visitors regarding motorcycles tearing around the forest tracks, causing noise, disturbance and danger to people using the forest.

“Anti-social behaviour has been named as a local priority in different areas in the Forest so this is one of the things we are doing to address those concerns and increase people’s confidence in us.

“When offenders are stopped or identified, all offences are reported and in many instances, motorcycles without insurance will be siezed for destruction.

One motorbike was seized over the weekend. The operation will continue throughout summer.

Photo shows recently seized bike.

Tag Rugby 2010 update- Forest South

Officers from the Forest South Safer Community Team helped launch an inaugural district-wide tag rugby tournament for primary schools at Cinderford Rugby Club On 22^nd April 2010.

The event was jointly organised by the club, Police and School Sport Partnership. A total of 22 teams from 21 primary schools in the Forest of Dean participated in the event to win the trophy.

Congratulations to Bream who came third place after beating Churcham in the third/fourth play-off. They have qualified for the County-wide final at Hartpury College on Friday, 21st May 2010.

The Forest South SCT would like to thank all the students, parents and teachers who attended the event.

PC Duncan Sleeman said: “Visiting the primary schools and coaching tag rugby around the Forest of Dean is a great way for the SCTs to get to know the local children and have a real impact on their lives. This allows children who would not normally come into contact with the police to see that we are real people and approachable”.

“There is a serious side and it is not all about tag rugby, during and after the sessions we promote the charity Child Victims of Crime (CVOC) and engage with the groups on how to keep safe when out and about in their neighbourhoods.”

Learning for Life- Forest South

PCSO Claire Perry has been facilitating the learning for life programme at Severnbanks School in Lydney.

The programme is directed at year six students and has been running for five weeks. It is about raising awareness of the challenges that young people face in life.

The programme has targeted areas such as alcohol, drugs, Internet safety and bullying.

PCSO Claire Perry said: "we were invited to assist  the school in this programme, and hopefully this has helped build links with the children, whilst raising awareness on issues such as Alcohol, and drugs."  

Alcohol Consumption In Public Places In Cinderford, Newent, Coleford And Lydney – What The New DPPO means

Following the introduction of a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) to deal with alcohol consumption in designated public places in Cinderford, Newent and Lydney, (see previous news item) the SCT would like to explain precisely what the order means.

The DPPO applies to designated specific areas (including town centres) in Cinderford, Coleford, Newent and Lydney.  The areas are signposted so people should know if they are in one. Alternatively, you can find more information about the areas effected by clicking here.

What the order means is that in these areas if a police officer or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) reasonably believes that a person is, or has been, consuming intoxicating liquor or intends to consume intoxicating liquor the police officer or PCSO may require the person concerned:

(a) not to consume in that place anything which is, or which the police officer or PCSO reasonably believes to be, intoxicating liquor;

(b) to surrender anything in his possession which is, or which the police officer or PCSO reasonably believes to be, intoxicating liquor or a container for such liquor

The order will not prohibit people from consuming, buying or possessing alcohol in these areas.  An offence is only committed where a person fails to comply with any of the requirements listed in (a) or (b) above.

‘No Thank You’- No Cold Calling Zone, Alvington- Forest South SCT

  A new No Cold Calling Zone has been set up in Alvington by the Forest South SCT in an effort to stop distraction burglars and rogue traders.

PCSO Dan Wilce held a refresher meeting with local residents on Monday July 12 at Garland Road, Alvington about keeping vigilant against bogus callers and distraction burglars.  

The 'No Cold Calling Area' provides an opportunity to collectively say 'No' to the practice of cold calling and will reduce the fear and threat felt by some householders when there is an unknown caller at the door.

These designated zones also make it more difficult for these offenders to operate unnoticed.  The Zone is marked with street signs and door stickers and each resident is given an information pack containing crime prevention advice and explaining how to say no to unwanted callers.

PCSO Dan Wilce said: "This initiative focuses on looking after older and more vulnerable members of our community.

"The main aim of the zones is to discourage uninvited callers to households offering goods and services.

“This will hopefully reduce the number of incidents linked to cold calling, and ultimately drive down criminal offences committed against our residents.

"We hope that the advice issued to householders in the zones will give residents the confidence to respond appropriately in the event of a cold caller knocking at their door."

DPPO Introduced in Coleford, Newent and Cinderford

The Forest North and Forest South Safer Community Teams are cracking down on alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour in Coleford, Newent and Cinderford by introducing a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO.)

The DPPO will be in place from Wednesday April 14. It has been introduced as a response to complaints from local residents about anti-social behaviour.

For more information please click here .

QuadKids 2010- Forest South

The Forest South Safer Community Team together with the Forest of Dean School Sport Partnership will be assisting in the final of QuadKids at Lakers School in Coleford on Saturday July 17 due to its brilliant success last year.

Whats it all about?

QuadKids is an exciting athletics initiative which gives more children the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of athletics. It also helps to identify those youngsters who have the potential to be the stars of tomorrow.

Quadkids is designed to be inclusive, competitive, quick, fun and simple to run. QuadKids can operate in both schools and clubs, giving more children the opportunity to experience the core athletic disciplines of running, throwing and jumping.

It is a team based quadrathlon competition where each athlete does a sprint, a middle distance run, a long jump and a throw. It is primarily targeted at young athletes from the age of 7-13.

Police Introduce Lydney Dispersal Order- Forest South

The Forest South Safer Community Team (SCT) is introducing a dispersal order to tackle anti social behaviour in an area of Lydney.

The order, which will run from 18^th February 2010 until 17 August  2010, is being introduced in response to an increase in reports of groups behaving in an anti-social way and intimidating local residents and shoppers.

The dispersal order will cover the area bounded by Highfield Road, Albert Street, Springfield Road, Springmeadow Road, Forest Road, Hill Street, High Street, Church Road, and the Lydney by-pass.

The order will allow police or Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to direct any groups of two or more to leave the area for 24 hours when they believe the behaviour of the group is likely to result in members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

Anyone who remains in the area or returns after being told to leave could find themselves in a police cell and facing a fine of up to £5,000 or up to three months imprisonment.

The order also prevents anyone under the age of 16 from being within the boundary covered by the dispersal order between 9pm and 6am unless with a parent or responsible person over the age of 18. Anyone under 16 found in the area may be taken home or to an alternative place of safety.

Officers from the Forest  South SCT will be speaking to residents and business owners over the coming days to explain the dispersal order and to encourage them to contact the police if they witness anti-social behaviour within the dispersal zone.

Inspector Chris Thorley, of the Forest South Inspector Neighbourhood Area, said: "The dispersal order is a powerful policing tool and will allow us to tackle disorderly behaviour within the town.

“We know over the recent weeks that the conduct of groups gathering in and around the town has made people feel fearful and intimidated and from Friday 26^th February we'll be able to ask such groups to leave the area before trouble starts.”

He added: “The use of this power is targeted on those people whose behaviour has resulted in or is likely to result in people being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed. This will not affect people going about their normal business.”

Gloucestershire County Council Contact

Useful Contact Numbers- Forest South

Here are some useful contact numbers, so you can make your enquiries that much quicker:

Police:

Gloucestershire Police Non emergency number- 0845 090 1234

CrimeStoppers Gloucestershire- 0800 555 111

Gloucestershire Crimestoppers is dedicated to helping to solve crimes and taking criminals off the streets across the county, as far north as Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds, down to Tetbury in the south and Lydney in the Forest of Dean.

To view more, click here

County Council departments:

Gloucestershire County Council enquires- 01452 425000

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk

Civil Parking Enforcement enquires- 01452 396723

In 2005, Gloucestershire County Council decided to exercise its rights under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1991 and assume control of on street parking enforcement throughout the County of Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire Highways- 08000 514 514

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways

District Council departments:

Forest of Dean District Council enquires- 01594 810000

http://www.fdean.gov.uk/

Street Wardens enquires- 01594 812264

The Street Wardens deal with a wide range of issues such as abandoned vehicles, tackling vandalism and graffiti and giving advice on dealing with fouled footpaths and also provide the dog warden service.

To view more, click here.

Noise & Nuisance Complaints - 01594 812442 

The Environmental Health team at the district council are responsible for investigating noise and nuisance complaints across the district. They work to control noise from both domestic homes and commercial businesses.

Other:

Forestry Commission enquires- 0845 367 3787

Abandoned Vehicles Gloucestershire- 0800 180 4140

To view more, click here 

Road Tax cheats report on- 0800 032 5202

To view more, click here

Police Information Points In Your Area

Lydney  

8th September 2010 14:30-16:00 at River Centre, Severnbanks

8th October 2010 14:30-16:00 at River Centre, Severnbanks

8th November 2010 14:30-16:00 at River Centre, Severnbanks

8th December 2010 14:30-16:00 at River Centre, Severnbanks

Two Rivers Housing Association will be attending the afternoon pips 14:40-16:00 on these dates.

St Briavels, Hewelsfield and Brockweir

Coleford 

30th July 2010 14:00-15:00 Parkside, Coleford

17th August 2010 10:00-12:00 Forest of Dean District Council Offices (Located at reception area)

27th August 2010 14:00-15:00 Parkside, Coleford

21st September 2010 10:00-12:00 Forest of Dean District Council Offices (Located at reception area)

24th September 2010 14:00-15:00 Parkside, Coleford

19th October 2010 10:00-12:00 Forest of Dean District Council Offices (Located at reception area)

Westdean

4th August 2010 11:00-12:00 Danby Close, Yorkley 

1st September 2010 11:00-12:00 Danby Close, Yorkley 

Tidenham, Sedbury 

24th July 2010  13:00-14:30 at Tutshill Police Station

14th August 2010 13:00-14:30 at Tutshill Police Station

11th September 2010 13:00-14:30 at Tutshill Police Station

Aylburton, Alvington, Woolaston

22nd July 2010 15:00-17:00 at Woolaston Village Hall 

31st July 2010 15:00-17:00 at Woolaston Village Hall 

Please come along and raise any community issues or concerns you may have to your local Police Community Support Officers. PLEASE NOTE that due to operational needs, officers may need to cancel at short notice. If you have a suggestion for a PIP point, please click here 

Dealing with Stray Dogs- Forest South

Police no longer accept or deal with stray dogs, but will create an incident record for information purposes only. The stray/found dog service is now provided by the Street Wardens at the Forest of Dean District Council Offices. They have three important roles in the community.

1. Practical - to handle and secure stray dogs
2. Educational - to promote responsible attitudes to dog ownership and provides advice and information for dog owners.
3. Enforcement - to enforces the legislation relating to dog fouling, dogs in general and local byelaws

The council do not have the power to deal with animal welfare issues in domestic premises. If you do have any concerns with the welfare of an animal that is not a stray then please contact the RSPCA at www.rspca.co.uk

If you have found or lost a dog contact this service on 01594 812264.  Outside office hours (8.30am to 5pm) or on bank holidays and weekends contact 07505820220.