Dursley Police Tackle Community Priorities (From Stroud News and Journal)

Dursley Police Tackle Community Priorities

5:00pm Wednesday 23rd December 2009

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Dursley police ran an operation at the weekend aimed at tackling policing priorities decided by local residents.

Local policing priorities are chosen in consultation between local police safer community teams (SCTs), residents and partner agencies in panel meetings. The issue of anti social behaviour in certain places had been identified as an area of concern for local people.

In response to these concerns an operation was organised and took place on Friday evening, December 18 and Saturday evening, December 19.

Inspector for the area, Steve Irvin, said; “With many local schools having broken up for the Christmas holidays we were aware that more youths than normal would be out over the weekend celebrating the festivities.

“Sadly with this comes an increase in underage drinking and associated anti social behaviour and crime. As such we took action by carrying out this high visibility operation to deter such behaviour.”

Additional high visibility patrols were carried out in areas that residents and the local policing team had identified a concern. This included, Dursley town centre, the Kingshill House play area and Kingshill Parade. Canon Park in Berkeley and from Salter St to Lynch Road in Berkeley. In Wotton-Under-Edge additional patrols were carried out in Long Street, Market Street as well as the High Street.

During the operation two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis. A 16-year-old girl was arrested in St James Churchyard, Dursley, on Friday night and a 15-year-old boy was arrested in Kingshill Parade, Dursley on Saturday night. Both have been bailed to return to Stroud police station in February 2010.

Officers also made eight alcohol seizures from underage drinkers and one 14-year-old girl was found intoxicated by police officers and returned to her home address. Her parents were under the impression she had been staying with a friend.

“This particular incident should serve as a reminder to all parents to check and double check where their children are during the festive period,” said Inspector Irvin.

He continued, “we want to encourage parents to be more aware of what their youngsters could be involved in when they’re not supervised and also appeal to them to take a little more responsibility in ensuring their safety.

“It's a sad fact that under the influence of alcohol youngsters are more likely to become victims of crime, commit offences or come to physical harm due to the effects of alcohol.

“By communicating with your child about their social plans you are given the chance to offer them sensible, practical advice to help protect them and make it less likely that they will become victims of crime or ill as a result of alcohol.

“Simple checks such as a quick phone call to the parents of friends can avoid the opportunity for your children to come to harm and ensure that they spend the night in a safe environment.”

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

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