Policing and Crime Prevention
Essex Police
Neighbourhood Policing
The Neighbourhood Specialist Officer (NSO) responsible for the Birch and Layer Neighbourhood is PC Mel Wilson (No 70930) - pictured here. The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for this area is John Howard. Sergeant Andy Drake is responsible for Neighbourhood Policing in the whole Colchester South Rural area.
More about Birch and Layer Neighbourhood Policing can be found on the Essex Police website at www.essex.police.uk.
At least one of the Neighbourhood Policing team normally attends each meeting of Birch Parish Council to report on current local policing and crime prevention issues and to listen to local concerns.
Tiptree Police Station Move
On 16th July Tiptree Police Station moved into the Tiptree Fire Station. The police officers located in the Tiptree and Winstree areas have not changed but their new base at the Fire Station is not open to the public. On Saturdays a police representative is in attendance at Tiptree Library between 11am and 1pm for anyone who wishes to discuss any concerns. The normal Neighbourhood Policing service continues and a member of the team can be contacted at other times by calling the duty officer's mobile number 07966-197404 (see below).
Contacting the Police
The Essex Police non-emergency telephone number is 0300-333-4444. This number is a 24 hour, 7 days a week service which connects members of the public from across the County to the centralised switchboard at Essex Police. Calls are then directed to the most appropriate person, department or station.
To speak to a member of your local Neighbourhood Policing team you can telephone 07966-197404. This is a mobile 'phone which is carried by officers when they are on duty. If the call is not answered straightaway, please leave a short message and someone will get back to you. The mobile number should only be used to discuss local issues, to pass on information or to obtain advice. To report a crime please use the non-emergency number: 0300-333-4444.
The '999' number should only be used to request assistance in cases of genuine emergency requiring an immediate police response.
Mobile Police Office
A Mobile Police Office visits Birch on alternate Thursdays from 10-15 to 11-00am and is normally stationed opposite the Birch doctors' surgery. This provides residents with regular opportunities to meet with a local police officer and discuss any concerns regarding policing and crime prevention in the area. Scheduled visits during 2010 include 2nd & 16th September.
Police Beat Surgery
A Police Beat Surgery is held in Birch from time to time. Details are usually published in Parish News which is delivered monthly to every house in the parishes of Birch, Layer Breton and Layer Marney.
Police Beat Surgeries, with PCSO John Howard (No 71266), are due to be held in Birch on the following dates:
Friday 10th September
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
Friday 8th October
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
Friday 5th November
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
Friday 3rd December
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
End of Year Overview - 8th April 2010
Our NSO, PC Mel Wilson, has provided a brief review of the past year's crime figures. These show an 8.25% increase in reported offences this year. She comments that while this sounds a large increase, with the small amount of crime on this beat it is only an increase of 11 crimes. PC Wilson also asks us to remember that matters such as fly tipping and domestic incidents are recorded as crimes which bumps up our figures. We are still extremely low with regards anti-social behaviour.
During the last year there were 144 reported offences, compared with the previous year's 133. The percentage of crime has dropped over the past few months since PC Wilson was appointed to the area and she is confident of a reduction in the coming year.
PC Wilson asks us to bear in mind that these figures will not be 100% accurate compared to Essex Police yearly figures, but are a good indicator of the situation in our area.
Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline
Colchester Borough Council and Essex Police have joined forces to provide a direct telephone line for reporting anti-social behaviour. You can now speak to a team of dedicated specialists who can talk through your problems and deal with your call more efficiently by assigning it to the correct agency.
The ASB hotline number is 01206-282731. The line is staffed from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Callers outside these times should leave a message.
Community Street Wardens
Colchester Borough Council operates a scheme of Community Street Wardens. The wardens are empowered by the Council to issue enforcement notices for littering, cycling on paths and dog fouling. They also have powers to confiscate alcohol and tobacco from young people.
Part of the Wardens' role is to develop links with local Neighbourhood Watch schemes and to build relationships with local communities by attending community events. Another aspect of their work is offering support to older people and the vulnerable. Helping these groups to feel safer can greatly improve their quality of life.
Wardens visit Birch on a regular basis and work with Birch Parish Council on local issues. The Warden who usually visits Birch and who is the Parish's main point of contact for the Community Street Warden scheme is:
Steve Switzer
Colchester Borough Council, P.O.Box 5215, Town Hall, Colchester CO1 1GL
Tel 01206 282119; Mobile 07770365810
Email: steve.switzer@colchester.gov.uk.
Winstree Neighbourhood Action Panel (NAP)
Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAPs) bring together members of the local community such as residents, Councillors, Neighbourhood Watch, Local Authority, Police, Residents Associations, schools and other relevant organisations in order to improve the quality of life for the local community. NAPs engage with local residents to identify those issues affecting their local community and, via a multi-agency approach, decide what actions can be taken to achieve sustainable, long term solutions. There are currently 15 NAPs in the borough of Colchester.
How can you help your local NAP?
The local NAP covering Birch, Layer de la Haye, Layer Marney, Layer Breton, Messing-cum-Inworth, Great & Little Wigboroughs, Salcott and Virley is called the WINSTREE NAP.
We need you to tell your local NAP what matters to you. This way, we can work towards making your community into one which is safe and somewhere to be proud of. There are various ways in which you can contact your local Winstree NAP including attending your local NAP meeting (dates listed below), reporting issues to your local Police Officer (PC Mel Wilson, Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for Winstree NAP), Borough Councillor or Parish Councillor, completing a "What Matters to You?" form, which is available from your local police station, Parish Council, Colchester Borough Council Customer Service Centre or online at www.essex.police.uk or www.colchester-community-safety.org.uk or by contacting Colchester Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) on 01206 717819 (Community Safety Team).
Winstree NAP - Public Meeting Dates 2010
Monday 18th October 9.30 to 10.00am
Messing Village Hall, The Street, Messing CO5 9TN
(Subject to the hall's refurbishment being completed by this date.)
For any general NAP enquires, please contact: Colchester Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) on 01206 717819 (Community Safety Team).