Hucclecote Safer Community Team

Defensive Planting Campaign 2010

• The ever-increasing popularity and sophistication of gardening has not gone unnoticed by the criminal. Garden crime is a reality.

• According to police statistics, the most likely items to be stolen are mowers, strimmers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, garden furniture and plants.

• Nature itself provides the best solution to garden crime. With careful thought and planning you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of garden crime, whilst at the same time creating an attractive garden.

• Take your time to read this and take note of the carefully selected plants. For instance you can create an impenetrable hedge, which looks far more attractive than security fencing but is just as effective. Planting prickly shrubs around vulnerable windows can also serve as a deterrent to the burglar.

• By careful planning you can produce a beautiful garden and reduce the risk of being the next victim of garden crime.

The following garden centres and nurseries have kindly agreed to participate in Gloucestershire Constabulary's 2010 Defensive Gardening campaign. This campaign has been kindly supported by Gloucestershire Crimestoppers and Secured by Design. From most of the sites listed you should be able to buy appropriate plants, shed alarms, dawn to dusk lighting, gravel and other products that together may help deter burglars from attempting to steal from your home or garden:

Gloucester
Focus, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester, GL4 3BY
Homebase, Eastbrook Road, Gloucester, GL4 3DB

Hucclecote SCT Issue Warning to Anti-Social Motorists

July 26 2010

Hucclecote Safer Community Team (SCT) has issued a warning after three reports of anti-social vehicle use in the last two weeks.

The first two reports were of motorbikes and mopeds being driven on the village green while the third report was of youths on mopeds and in a car creating a disturbance outside Mace's Stores in Dinglewell.

Police have warned people in the area that vehicles can be seized if they have been used in an anti-social way and that heavy fines could follow.

If an officer witnesses someone driving carelessly or inconsiderately and in a manner likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public, they can issue a warning in the form of a Section 59 notice. If the driver is stopped again within a 12-month period, police have the power to seize their vehicle.

PC Andy Plant, of Hucclecote SCT, said: “General anti-social behaviour around Dinglewell has calmed down markedly following recent meetings between local youngsters and members of the community but we do not want these type of incidents to become the norm now.

“The children of the person who reported the Dinglewell incident couldn’t get to sleep because the motorist was over-revving their car and we know that the misuse of cars, mopeds and mini-motos like this often decreases quality of life for others. 

“We are reminding local youngsters that using a vehicle in an anti-social way is an offence and that we do have the power to seize and impound vehicles if our warnings are ignored.

“Once your vehicle is taken you will be charged £150 for the removal and £20 a day for storage, so there is a hefty price to pay. If the vehicle is not then reclaimed, we may crush it.”

Abbeymead Football Tournament Organised By Police Brings Local Kids Together

July 23 2010

Police from Gloucester South Safer Community Team (SCT) helped run a children’s football tournament at Abbeymead Community Centre on July 7.

The competition was held as part of Every Child Matters, which aims to improve the lives of local children and sponsored by Crimebeat.

Heron, Abbeymead and Upton St Leonards primary schools took part, with Heron claiming the trophy, which was handed to them by the High Sheriff of Gloucester, Mr Ceri Evans.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Mike Whitehouse said: “Gloucester South SCT organised the event in aid of the local community and as a way of breaking down any barriers between the kids and the police.

“Everyone who took part had an enjoyable time and the tournament ran really smoothly. Hopefully the relationships we have forged between the children and parents will help people feel we are more approachable whenever they do have problems.”

Drugs Arrests By Hucclecote SCT

June 30 2010

Hucclecote Safer Community Team (SCT) officers arrested two people in connection with drugs offences this month.

In the first case on June 3, PC Andy Plant was on routine patrol in Coney Hill when he smelled cannabis coming from a car in Naunton Road.

Having spoken to the two occupants, a search of a house was conducted and a 16-year-old boy from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis. He subsequently received a formal reprimand as it was his first offence, and his drugs were destroyed.

In the second case on June 13, PC Andy Plant and PC Tim Burch raided a house in Birch Avenue.

An amount of cannabis was discovered and a 25-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to supply in connection with the case. He was bailed to attend Gloucester Police Station on August 18.

£1000 in cash was also confiscated in connection with the case.

Hucclecote SCT Police Sergeant Trish McCavera said: “Our work tackling drugs offences is very important to the local community so I hope this will make people feel confident we will take appropriate action wherever necessary.”

Skate park gets graffiti make over

Abbeymead BMX teens have been working hard with a professional graffiti artist Ropert McKenzie in a bid to ward off vandalism.

Police have used a £500 grant for improving the area and tackling anti-social behaviour to give a lift to Abbeymead skate park.

The park has fallen prey to some unwanted graffiti in the past, and police hope the teen-inspired art will save the park from further vandalism so on Saturday June 19th the park was given a new look by the local riders.

The teens have been working every week with Ropert at Chequers Bridge Youth Centre to design the art since March this year. 

PCSO Khim Mortimer, who has been working with the teens, said: "We thought that getting the kids involved in this way would encourage them to use it and give them a sense of ownership over it.

"Occasionally others have felt the need to illegally spray graffiti over similar parks. Doing it this way makes that far more unlikely and means the artwork is a lot more attractive."

PC Andy Plant said: "The kids have responded brilliantly to the idea and have really got involved. The work they've been doing with our graffiti artist creating their own tags has been great.

Each week there's been a significant improvement in the designs and they should all be very proud of what they have achieved in such a short time. Graffiti is not as easy as it looks."

Andrew Gravells, an Abbey ward councillor who worked on the project from the beginning, said: "I became involved when some parents asked me to help a very responsible and mature group of young people who had started to make their own jumps here. I, and these young people and some of their parents, then met with the city council and police and things really started to take off.

"I was able to secure some funding for the group from the city council, and it has just gone from strength to strength.

"I have nothing but admiration for the young people who kicked this project off. One or two of them were really impatient to see some progress, and have the makings to be a good councillor for our area one day."

Bill Crowther, a councillor for Hucclecote, said he had been involved from the initial consultation on whether or not to have a skate park.

He said: "I'm very pleased with the work they've done. I hope when the work is completed that other people will respect it and we won't see any more graffiti there.

"The youths have worked so hard to get it and on it, and I hope they will treasure it now."

24 Motorists Fined For Mobile Phone And Seatbelt Offences In Hucclecote SCT Operation

June 22 2010

Hucclecote Safer Community Team (SCT) ran a road safety operation today, June 22, and fined 24 people for motoring offences.

The operation, which was based at the Double Gloucester pub on Cheltenham Road, was in response to concerns raised by local residents in Longlevens and Elmbridge.

Police Sergeant Patricia McCavera of Hucclecote SCT, explained: “The operation was run due to concerns made by local residents about mobile phone use and people not using seatbelts.” 

During the operation 20 motorists admitted to not wearing a seatbelt and were given a £60 fine while four people admitted using a mobile phone while driving and were given a £60 fine and three points on their license.

Three drivers were also issued a form which means they have 28 days to rectify faults to their vehicles. Amongst the defects spotted were damaged and irregular number plates.

Another driver was stopped for having too dark a tint to their windows and was instructed to remove the tint at the road side.  Other drivers were also stopped and verbally warned with regards to speed.

PS McCavera added: “Local residents expressed their pleasure at seeing officers carrying out their duties in this manner.

“When members of the public have problems and report them to the police, we will take positive action to address their concerns. I hope operations like this will make local people confident that we are listening to them. We will continue to look at the issue and do more of these operations if the community tell us they want us to.”

Crime Down By 14.9% In Gloucester

Crime in Gloucester is down by 14.9% compared to last year, according to the latest annual figures.

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

Barnwood Green Fun Day

June 5, 2010

Hucclecote Safer Community Team (SCT) officers attended the Barnwood Green Day at the Barnwood Park Arboretum at the weekend.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Clive Phillips and Rachel Anstey took the police van, display boards, police-branded goodies and crime prevention advice along to the event in order to engage with those attending and listen to their comments and concerns.

PCSO Rachel Anstey said "The day went really well, everyone enjoyed themselves and it was an excellent opportunity to build relationships with the local community”.

The event was jointly organised by the Barnwood Community Partnership, St Lawrence Church and the Friends of Barnwood Arboretum and was sponsored by Gloucester City Homes.

Tag Rugby 2010

MORE than 200 primary school pupils have been putting their rugby skills against one another.

It was a gloriously sunny day, just like last year, hopes were high of similar success to last year when Hillview won the tournament. The initial group stage was hard fought, in the first game Hillview romped to a 3-0 lead but got too complacent and allowed their opponents to level the score at 3-3 by the final whistle. The second game was just as close but Hillview were narrowly beaten. This left it all to play for on the last game, realising that if they lost or drew they would be out, the team played their best game yet and went through comfortably as runners up in their group.

In to the knock out games now and the team cruised through with a comfortable win, confidence was high and thoughts of retaining the trophy were starting to emerge. This was sadly not to be as the next round saw a hard fought, controversial game. Hillview scored first, which in the event of a tie would have seen them victorious, then they quickly went 3-1 down, things appeared to be slipping away, but the team rallied and in the dying seconds managed to squeeze over an equalizing third try. We began to celebrate, but too soon. After serious discussions between coaches, officials and supporters, the referee’s decision was that the result was 4-3 to the opposition school. In the spirit of good sportsmanship Hillview accepted the decision of the referee and congratulated their opponents on their victory.

A great day was had by staff and pupils alike and good lessons were learned in teamwork and sportsmanship. Well done Hillview Primary School!

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Atkinson, who co-ordinated the event, said: "The day was a massive success and everybody who took part was worthy of winning the trophy."

New equipment for popular King George Fifth Park

New play equipment is on its way to a busy Gloucester playing field. 

After years of campaigning to get King George V playing field sorted out, Gloucester City Council has announced it will install new equipment, designed by children from a Hucclecote school.

The playing field, which sits in the middle of the Hucclecote, Abbeymead and Barnwood areas of the city, is set to be transformed.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "As part of the city council's ongoing consultation process, it aims to deliver what residents want." 

The new play area has been designed by pupils from Dinglewell Junior School.

The children have chosen new play equipment aimed at ages 2 to 12. The new items include a wooden climbing frame, a nest swing and seesaw. 

Work has already gone ahead to make the pavilion more secure and prevent antisocial behaviour, and the new equipment is due to be installed to replace the old equipment over the summer holiday.

The spokeswoman added: "The results of the consultation showed the most popular choice for improvement to be a surfaced path around the edge of the field.

"The first path to be installed will connect Brookfield Road to Lynton Road.

"The path will be made of gravel, which will allow water to soak through. This will mean walkers will be able to enjoy the field even in wet weather conditions."

Councillor Bill Crowther (Lib Dem, Hucclecote), said: "There is a lot to be done to bring KGV Playing Field back to its former glory and I am glad the work has now started.

"The new play area has been planned for some years now and I am really pleased that is going in at last."

Good Work Hucclecote SCT

A press release was recently issued in respect of West Lodge Drive after a series of criminal damage that had taken place in this area and particular thanks goes to PC Hunt, Wood and Burch in relation to SCT officers obtaining information from the community, also CCTV cameras being funded in part by CDRP.  A brilliant team effort where the Community can assist police and make a significant difference.

Hucclecote SCT has now concluded the enquiries relating to the spate of criminal damage to windows at the NHS buildings on West lodge drive, Gloucester.

Following the combined efforts of Hucclecote PCSO’S and SCT enforcement officers who having worked closely with members of the local community throughout the investigation has now culminated with the arrest of a juvenile responsible for the repeat criminal damage. Hucclecote SCT would like to thank the members of the community who aided with the investigation and identification of the juvenile offender, who has subsequently admitted full responsibility for all the damage dating back as far as February 2010 and received a final warning.

Hucclecote Officer Announced As PCSO Of The Year

We are proud to announce that an officer from the Hucclecote Safer Community Team has been awarded the title of Police Community Support Officer Of The Year 2010. PCSO Kate Beck was announced as the winner of the accolade at a special ceremony held at Police Headquarters, Quedgeley, on Thursday April 29. To read more about her award click here.

Hucclecote SCT Football Tournament Results

The Hucclecote Safer Community Team (SCT) hosted its second annual seven-a-side football tournament for local schools in the area last week. For more information and to find out which team won the competition, read the full press release by clicking here.

Elmbridge - tournament winners (1st)	Dinglewell - tournament runner-up (2nd)
Upton St Leonards - plate winner (3rd)	Longlevens - 4th
Hillview - 5th	Coney Hill - 6th

Results from Coney Hill 'Have your say day'

On Wednesday 28th October 2009, Officers from the Hucclecote SCT joined staff from the Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), Gloucester City Homes, members of the Barnwood Community Partnership, local Councillors and the Fire Service.  This multi agency group went into the Coney Hill Community and spoke to residents of Stanway, Hailes and Naunton Road and asked them their views on crime and disorder in their area. Questions were asked about issues such as Burglary, Car crime and anti social behaviour.  Apart from this, the residents were asked how safe they felt in their area, they were also offered a fire safety check and given "Smartwater" to security mark their property.  Residents were given the opportunity to express any concerns that they had wether it was about crime or housing issues.  The group were extremely pleased with the welcome that they received and the chance to interact with the residents of this area.
The results of this survey has been analysed by the CDRP and the results can be seen on this link

Letters of Thanks from the Hucclecote Community

I would like to offer our sincere thanks to your PCSOs of Hucclecote station for their help with our science week. Their involvement in the project had the children thinking and wanting to find out more , it made the 'crime' more realistic. They interacted well with the children and were happy to play along. The children were most pleased the police caught 'Walter the window cleaner' and he now behind bars. Thankyou once again for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

We would like to say thankyou for helping to find my husband, who went for a walk and got lost. On March 13th a huge response was made after I phoned so concerned. The police were marvelous and after support as well, so grateful as my husband has dementia. So relieved for the happy outcome. Many thanks to you all.

Hucclecote Officers Attend Deaf Association Fun Day

Hucclecote SCT officers attended the Gloucester Deaf Association Centre Fun Day in Barnwood at the weekend. To find out more, read the press release by clicking here.

Hucclecote Officers Entertain And Inform During Fun Day For Severely Disabled

Hucclecote Safer Community Team (SCT) officers helped entertain children from the James Hopkins Trust Day Centre during their recent fun day at Kite’s Corner last week. For more information, please read the press release here.

PCSO Kate Beck Passes Her British Sign Language Level 2 Exam

PCSO Kate Beck is to be congratulated on passing her British Sign Language Level 2 examination thus passing all three parts and achieving an overall pass mark.  This qualification will enable her to communicate with people with hearing problems.  Her success is due to a great deal of commitment on attending the course on her rest days and funding received from the Barnwood Community Partnership.  Her hard work is thoroughly deserved – well done.

Contact Hucclecote Safer Community Team

Where do you want us and why?

Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves your local Safer Community Team, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit. 

Get in contact with us through the Contact us tab at the top of this section, and send us what matters to you in your area so we and our partner agencies can help?

Hucclecote SCT - Become a Key Individual

Hucclecote Safer Community Team is committed to improving the influence local people have on our response to local problems.

We're looking for people to join our Key Individual Network (KIN). We want to know your thoughts and opinions on a range of issues that affect your neighbourhood. You don't have to belong to any other organisations or be involved any more than you want to. As a KIN member we will ask you to give us occasional local feedback, which in turn helps us to gain a more informed understanding of our community.

Main roles of the KIN

• Widen the consultation between the police and the local community.
• Give prompt information about significant changes in local tension and provide information of local issues.
• Enable community members to influence local policing and for the police to get increase information about issues affecting our neighbourhoods. 

Benefits of the KIN

• Improves the quality of life for you and your neighbourhood.
• Provides a medium for the resolution of issues that arise within your neighbourhood.
• Provides an opportunity for the community to influence how their area is policed.

Once you become part of the KIN

Your personal details will not be used for any other purpose, or passed on to anyone else. You will be invited to meetings concerning setting priorities within your neighbourhood, and these take place every quarter. Outside these meetings we will carry out the majority of communication by phone, post or e-mail.

You can resign from the KIN at any time.

If you are interested please call 0845 090 1234 and ask for Hucclecote SCT alternatively please e-mail Hucclecote SCT.

Gloucestershire County Council Contact - Hucclecote SCT

Gloucestershire County Council Contact - Stephen Bace

As the area lead for community engagement for Hucclecote, Abbey, Upton St Leonards, Longlevens, Elmbridge and Barnwood, Stephen is the main county council contact for any issues involving community priorities

This can include issues such as flooding, parking, street lighting, road conditions, footpaths, recycling, schools, Trading Standards and more. 

It is Stephen's job to ensure that the right county council departments are engaging with our local communities and working to help meet the priorities agreed by them at Neighbourhood Partnership and Community Meetings. 

Through working together with the Hucclecote Safer Community Team, Gloucester City Council and other partners Stephen hopes we can really make a difference to people where they live, making their neighbourhood a safe and pleasant place to be.  As part of this role Stephen will attend community meetings or identify relevant County Council officers who need to attend to discuss community concerns.

Stephen can be contacted at Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 396396 or by email at stephen.bace@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Police Information Points - Hucclecote SCT

• Police Information Points (PIPS) were originally introduced ten years ago to encourage greater communication between the public and the police. PIPs offer a range of advice on crime reduction and community safety as well as other police and community related information. It also gives you, the community, the opportunity to interact with a Police Community Support Officer to exchange community based information.
• NEW - University Student PIP to be held at University of Gloucester, Oxstalls Campus every Thursday from 12pm to 2pm in the Student Help Zone.
• Coney Hill PIP - will be held at Coney Hill College on the second Tuesday Night of every month from 6pm to 7pm. This coincides with the Barnwood Residents Association meetings, so Councillors and Gloucester City Homes reps will also be present if anyone has any problems or queries.
• Longlevens PIP - is held at Longleven's Library on the first Saturday of every month at 11am (please note the PIP due to be held on Saturday 7th August 2010 has been cancelled).
• Hucclecote PIP - is held at Hucclecote Library on the first Saturday of every month at 11am.
• Upton St Leonard PIP - is held at the post office on the following dates: Saturday July 17, August 14, September 18, October 16, November 13 and December 18 between 12pm and 1pm.
• Open Surgeries at Hucclecote Police Station - Every Wednesday between 8am and 4pm. This is an opportunity for you to use the station and come and meet some of the Safer Community Team and discuss any issues or ideas you may have regarding your community. 
• Abbeymead PIP - is held at Abbeydale Community Centre, Lindsey Room between 10am and 11am every last Saturday in the month.

Please come along and have your say. 

Our Objectives - Hucclecote SCT

• To provide a visible and accessible uniformed presence within the neighbourhood areas.

• To engage with communities within their neighbourhood through regular contact with the public, identify concerns and provide information about the action taken to resolve a problem at times using a multi-agency approach.

• To take effective and appropriate action to reduce anti-social behaviour and deal with offenders, using the CADA partnership and the Prevent and Deter Scheme.

• To gather information/intelligence and where necessary act upon it via:

  • targeted high visibility patrol

  • enforcement and targeting of prominent individuals engaged in criminal activity

  • initiating operations and utilising other resources to bring offenders to justice and/or disrupt criminal activities

  • engage with partnership agencies and community groups to deliver appropriate prevention/reduction advice

  • ensure a working knowledge of crime and trends within the area and provide a public reassurance within that area

• To engage with and encourage all sections of the community in the neighbourhood, through ward, parish and panel meetings in order to agree priorities and choices.

• Identify and ensure points of public contact are maintained, i.e. Councillors, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators.

• Collate information and make referral application to combat anti-social behaviour