November 20, 2009
It’s A Team Effort To Tackle Totternhoe Crime
BEDFORDSHIRE Police and Central Bedfordshire Council are teaming up in the fight against anti-social behaviour in Totternhoe.
Safer Neighbourhood Officers and the authority’s anti-social behaviour experts, youth workers, housing officers and councillors have formed a partnership aimed at nipping problems in the bud and finding longer-term solutions.
The group, which met for the first time last week, say although there have been successful arrests, there is still an unacceptable level of criminal damage, theft, motoring offences and intimidating behaviour by a small minority of young people.
Central Bedfordshire Council’s portfolio holder for Safer Communities, Cllr David McVicar, urged householders to have the courage to contact police with evidence so action can be taken against offenders.
He said: “It’s clear some local people know the identity of these individuals, but in order for us to take effective action we need members of the community to come forward and give us information and statements. While we always prefer to use intervention to try to solve these issues, there is a point where we also need to consider enforcement action but for this to succeed we need evidence.”
Safer neighbourhood Officer, PC Viv Dady, added: “Most young people are perfectly well behaved in Totternhoe, but sadly there are a minority of people who are spoiling it for the rest. We want to resolve these issues and quickly, but is it is only by working in partnership with residents that we can truly impact on crime.”
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in Totternhoe can contact PC Dady or PCSO Joanne Glenn, in confidence, on 01582 473418, the main switchboard on 01234 841212, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or text to 07786 200011. Residents can also contact Alan May, the council’s Anti Social Behaviour Reduction Co-ordinator, on 0300 300 5335.
