Significant Reductions in Crime in Heeley and Gleadless Valley

I am very pleased to report that the latest crime figures for Heeley and Gleadless Valley show a continued fall in recorded crime. Over the past three months we have run a number of initiatives to target offences of Burglary and Vehicle crime. These have involved officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Area, CID, Roads Policing Group (formerly known as traffic) and even the force helicopter.

The following figures are excellent news for the residents of Heeley. The challenge now is to continue these reductions.  Equally we need to get the message to the community that this is a safe place to live. Surveys continue to show that the fear of crime is much greater than the reality. These figures are for the 6 months to December 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. During the same period nationally crime only fell by 6% which highlights the significance of these figures:

• All Crime – Down by 37.9% or 674 fewer victims
• Burglary – Down by 36.8% or 121 fewer victims
• Criminal Damage  – Down by 35.5% or 171 fewer victims
• Robbery – Down by 55.6% or 10 fewer victims (Only 8 offences recorded)
• Vehicle Crime – Down by 55.5% or 2-11 fewer victims
• Violent Crime – Down by 29.1% or 60 fewer victims

The last week in January saw Operation Major which targeted offences of Burglary Dwelling in Heeley and Gleadless Valley areas. The initiative resulted in the arrest of three prominent criminals one of whom admitted to 10 offences of Burglary. A stolen laptop and plasma TV were recovered. The Operation was also successful in identifying two addresses where stolen property is being handled. These addresses will soon be receiving an early morning visit.

Operation Neighbour

Your local safer neighbourhood team have launched their latest initiative to visit thousands of local residents.

Officers from the Woodseats and Gleadless Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team will endeavour to visit every home in the area; ensuring people know who their local SNTs are. With over 30,000 homes to visit this may take some time, but our intention is visit as many local people as possible.

The initiative itself is intended to tie in with the South Yorkshire Police campaign “Have Your Say”, giving residents an opportunity to say how their neighbourhood is policed.

Whilst officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are out on patrol, they will be knocking on the doors of households to have a friendly chat and to ask people a few questions about local crime issues. Officers will complete a simple form to record what issues are concerns and the information will be used to set policing priorities for the SNT. If you provide us with you email address we will update you each month regarding actions we have taken to address local priorities, you can also influence the setting of local priorities by email.

Partners and Communities Together (PACT) Meetings

Safer neighbourhood teams (SNTs) were set up by police in partnership with your local council, to find local solutions to local issues. Your team holds a community meeting (called PACT) every month in your area. Local priorities are set each month based on what you tell us matters in your area.

For details of your next meeting, or to find your local team, log on to http://www.southyorks.police.uk and enter your postcode.

Too busy to come to a meeting? There are other ways for you to talk to your local SNT:  You can email any issues you want to raise and receive monthly updates about what is happening in your community. Or simply stop and talk to a police officer on the beat.

Alternatively you can call in and see your local SNT at the mobile police station, which will be located in Morrison’s car park at Meadowhead on Friday 26 March 2010, and then on the last Friday of every month between 10.00am – 6.00pm. A representative from our partner agencies including Sheffield Homes and your local community assembly team will be available between 1.00pm -2.00pm.

We want you to see the police as approachable; after all, we are here for you!

I believe initiatives like Operation Neighbour are a key part of our strategy to raise awareness of safer neighbourhood teams, our officers and PCSOs are keen to take this opportunity to get to know residents even better. Our team works closely with other local agencies to find solutions to issues, which have been raised by the local community that affect the quality of life for residents. Our aim is to be locally known, with everyone knowing who their local SNT officer is, and to identify key local problems and be seen to make a difference.

Ian Stubbs

Inspector

Woodseats and Gleadless Valley SNA