Yesterday I had the chance to move around quite a few different areas of our work and partnerships. It was very inspiring and just what I needed after a long old week.
First thing... Victim Support Devon, based at Newton Abbot, discussing how the police could work even close with them. Vicitm Support are an independant charity, we work with them by 
referring victims of crime to them. They do a great job, not just offering caring concern after a crime has occurred (and that is very important) but also giving practical help in all kinds of areas. Great business for us since they deliver care and support while we move to solve crime and prevent others.
Here is a link to their website.
Then back to Crownhill for some paperwork and brief discussions with my team. We are very focussed right now on bringing down crime levels, particularly car crime and burglary which have seen an increase recently.
Here is a Herald article about a recent spate
Mid day, I went to Whitleigh for the closure of the "Week of Action". This is part of a series that the Plymouth Community Safety Partnership is running. This is our fifth week of action, which have been run in various parts of the City. The aim is to bring together many agencies to focus on issues that affect local communities. Police officers and PCSO's get stuck in, doing community work and enforcement. During this week the team carried out drugs raids, arrested a total of 18 "bail bandits" and others who were wanted. A key part of the week of action was the work of the Fire Service, Plymouth City Council Dog Wardens, Local Councillors, the Harbour Centre drugs workers and many others
The week is not about purporting to solve long standing problems there and then, but it is about building better relationships between all the agencies in a given area and between those agencies and local groups.
Young people from Sir John Hunt designed community safety posters as part of the event. Here is a link about it.
Then down to meet the head of
2pm, to the Headquaters of Plymouth Community Partnerships (PCP) for their AGM. I gave a brief presentation on the the links between the police, the Local Strategic Partnership and the voluntary and community sectors. PCP provides the infrastucture for many smaller community groups. The theme of my presentation was that while the police make a difference in fairly short term enforcement, it is the community itself that keeps the city safe. All the many social and voluntary groups build a sense of confidence and integration which is so important to us all. Afterwards I was given a good grilling by those present!
3pm I was going to go to the launch of the refubishment of a gym in Devonport.
In the end I had to get involved in planning for some covert activity elsewhere on some other major cases, so couldn't get to this event. I am really impressed with the ingenuity and commitment that is being shown by so many of our staff.
At 5pm, I was picked by by PC Al Roberts and we went down together to the 
The Lord Mayor designate, Brian Vincent was on the sidelines showing his support for the scheme which was set up in August by four of the city’s Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs). The PCSOs run the scheme along with
PCSO Chris Kinski started this scheme in August, since then he has seen a great deal of interest from young people within the community. This is a really great initiative, which gives young people in the area something to do which they really seem to enjoy. Each week he is getting more and more young people attending. He is now getting on average 25 – 35 attendees. Last night the team were wearing their new kits for the first time, which had been sponsored by Hobby’s Sports.
6pm back to base and a brief meeting with Superintendant John Green, agreeing our plans for the next couple of days.
6.30pm, I met up with Andy Greenwood from the Western Mornig News. Andy is researching the challenges caused by young people and drink. He came out with us last night to watch how we manage a busy Friday evening.
7.00pm with Andy down to the City’s CCTV control centre. The team here are excellent, their hundreds of cameras keeping an eye out for us all. Unlike other centres of this nature, that have a coordination role as well. They have radios covering the main police channels, the cabwatch scheme and the pub/club network and the Plymouth Against Retail Crimeradios of local shops. Using the cameras and radios, they can make sure the work of these agencies comes together. Here is some detail about their work, but it has grown since this article
8.00pm Operation Talon briefing. This is our main city centre public safety plan. We had about 40 minutes briefing including local criminals of note and all the various powers our staff now have, including "directions to leave" "penalty notices for disorder", as well as the good old power of arrest. I was very impressed by the "firm but fair" approach adopted. The officers at the briefing had a good grasp not only of the importance of preserving order in the city centre but also the names and identities of those who may be out and about looking for trouble or who were vulnerable.
I ended the evening with a quick patrol through Mutley Plain, taking a look at one of the locations that is being considered for the "cumulative impact" licensing policy. (Footnote: I used to work in KFC in Mutley Plain in the mid 70's cutting up chilled chicken with a bandsaw; never did discover the secret recipe!)After Mutley Plain, back to Crownhill, finished and home.
A long day, but a real priviledge. I met officers, police staff, PCSO's, and partner agencies and individual agencies throughout the day. We do have an excellent team serving the City. I am off for the weekend and happy that the right people are keeping us safe.
