Agenda item

2.1   PC Kerry Grace provided an update to the meeting. Kerry is the Beat Manager for Keynsham, Saltford and the surrounding area. Kerry has been in post since June 2015 and is supported by his colleague PC Sam Keyser who works two day per week.

2.2   A worrying pattern of burglaries is beginning to occur over the past three weeks in Bishop’s Sutton area so please be vigilant.

2.3   The two problem areas at the moment appear to be The Queens Road/ Tintagel Close/ Warwick Road/ Farleigh Road area of Keynsham where there is minor criminal damage, drug taking and anti-social behaviour. The area is being targeted by the beat managers and PCSO’s and numerous stop/searches and some high profile arrests have taken place since the last meeting which appears to be a strong visible police presence in the area on an evening to try and combat the problem.

2.4   The second area of concern is the Town Memorial Park in Keynsham, most notably by the bandstand which has suffered from drug taking and dealing, drinking by minors, littering, criminal damage and arson over the summer months. Police officers and PCSO’s are at the park on a nightly basis attempting to disrupt things and several arrests for possession and dealing have occurred over the past two months. It is noticeable also that many of the youths have come from outside the area and have been dropped off and picked up by parents from areas such as Longwell Green.

2.5  The problem has become so serious, that a set of action is being compiled in an attempt to completely stop the problem.

2.6  A copy of the full Police report is attached to these notes.

2.7  Cllr Alan Hale asked about the police numbers covering the Keynsham area. Kerry said there were two officers in the team.

2.8  Cllr Alan Hale asked whether the Forum could write to the local MP and Police and Crime Commissioner expressing concerns over the lack of police presence and increase in criminal activity.  Adrian Inker agreed that this was part of the function of the Forum.  It was agreed that a letter would be sent from the Forum by the Chair.

2.9  A question was asked about the Mobile Catering Unit situated near Waitrose, the positioning causes issues for access to the store.  Kerry agreed to investigate.

2.10 A question was asked about funding a camera in the Memorial Park particularly by the Bandstand. Kerry explained that a bid had been put into B&NES Council.  A comment was made that there were difficulties regarding the electrical power supply in the park. 

2.11 There were concerns raised around the lack of communication between the community and police, particularly since the PACT meeting had been disbanded.  There were also concerns raised by Neighbourhood Watch.  Harriette Dottridge offer Kerry help with pulling together a comprehensive list and sharing information.

2.12  Adrian thanked Kerry for his update.

2.13 Sara Dixon gave a demonstration on the roadworks website. The website www.roadworks.org provides up to date information on highway maintenance works taking place across the UK and the organisation responsible.  She said the Council also produces a weekly e-mail list of roadworks in the B&NES area linked to this website.  All Parish Councils should now be receiving this and if anyone else would like to be added to the mailing list, to let us know.  It is also possible to set alerts on the ‘roadworks’ website for a particular area.  Parishes were encouraged to promote the information via their own websites and newsletters.

2.14  A question was asked about how good the roadworks website actually was?

2.15 Sara Dixon explained that the site was easy to use and the information is updated regularly. The information can only be as good as what is received by various sources and there will be times where emergency works have to be added once they have commenced.