Drugs

Drug dealing and drug taking has also been nominated by resident's as a key issue. Over the past few months Thames Valley Police have conducted a number of drugs warrants/raids in the local area and made numerous drugs-related arrests. The NAG encourages members of the community to report any suspicious activity - numerous short visits to addresses, exchanges of small packages and money to the Police via the non-emergency number 08458 505 505, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through this blog.

The NAG will work with Police and Wycombe District Council and their combined Public Safety Team to secure arrests and evictions of the dealers who are blighting your neighbourhood and attracting unwanted users into the area. Did you know drug users are responsible for the majority of acquisitive crime (burglaries, theft from vehicles, robberies etc)?

Where are the drugs hotspots? Who is selling drugs, to who, when? Is there evidence of drug use in your street - discarded needles, foil, rizlas etc?
Help the NAG help you...

Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is the second priority raised by local resident's.

**WE ARE TARGETING THIS PRIORITY NOW**

AUGUST 2008

TELL US WHERE YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS

Anti-social behaviour encompasses a wide range of issues from crime and serious nuisance to less severe but frequent and annoying behaviour. Anti-social behaviour is defined as "behaviour which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not in the same household as the perpetrator". It also includes "fear of crime or concern for public safety, public disorder or public nuisance".


If anti-social behaviour is affecting you, the NAG would like to hear from you. Areas of concern already raised by you, the public of Bowerdean & Totteridge, include St Hugh's Avenue, Underwood Park and Windrush Drive. Are these ares of concern to you and why? Where else should the NAG and its partners focus their attention....

Speeding & Anti-Social Use of Vehicles

Speeding and inconsiderate use of vehicles has been set by residents as a priority issue within Bowerdean & Totteridge. Untaxed and abandoned vehicles have also been highlighted to the NAG as an area of concern. The NAG continues to work on this priority and we invite any information about where and when current ‘trouble spots’ are, details about the specific problem(s) and which vehicles and drivers are responsible. The NAG will then work alongside its partners such at Thames Valley Police, Wycombe District and Bucks County Council and target other organisations such as the DVLA to resolve the issue.

SEE THE BELOW SECTION FOR A PROGRESS UPDATE.

Who still needs to be targeted? What vehicle(s) are they using? When & where should the Police look for them....?

Welcome to Bowerdean & Totteridge NAG

The public consultation identified the following three priorities for Bowerdean and Totteridge:
* Speeding and Anti-Social Use of Vehicles
* Anti-Social Behaviour
* Drugs

How does the NAG work?
The NAG meets every six weeks to address various short, medium and long term options that can be implemented to provide a solution to each priority. Members of the NAG take ownership of specific actions/enquiries from the meetings and by working together solutions are implemented. Once a solution has been put in place, and it is shown to be effective, the NAG will begin to tackle the next priority. When all the priorities have been satisfactorily addressed, a further consultation will take place with residents and NAG members, to identify further issues.

What progress has the NAG made?
The NAG is currently working on the first priority, Speeding and Anti-Social Use of Vehicles.

The Bowerdean & Totteridge NAG identified Hicks Farm Rise, Totteridge Lane and Hillary Road to be targeted using Speed Indication Device (SID) technology.

The Neighbourhood Policing Teams have looked into these issues and carried out the following actions:

Speed Indication Device Operations
25 SID operations have been conducted in Bowerdean & Totteridge by the local police community support officers (PCSOs). Speeding drivers travelling above 36mph were pulled in and given warnings and advice about their speed. Some drivers were also questioned on what they believed would stop them speeding. Driver’s suggested repeating 30mph signs, getting a speeding ticket or being involved in a collision would prevent them from speeding in the future.

Truvello Strips
Strips, which are laid down on the surface of the road, measure the speed of cars travelling across them. Hicks Farm Rise & Totteridge Lane had the highest percentages of speeding vehicles (44% and 35% respectively). 25% of vehicles travelling along Bowerdean Road were speeding. 3 sections of Bowerdean Road were measured and speeding was found to be most prolific near to the junction of Acorn Close.

Speeding Enforcement
The Neighbourhood Team continue to work alongside Roads Policing and Special Constables to enforce speeding in the area. A number of drivers have received a £60 fine and 3 points. Others have been reported to court or arrested for offences such as driving without a licence and driving whilst disqualified.

Seizures
In excess of 25 vehicles have been seized for offences, including driving without insurance or driving in an anti-social manner. Other drivers have been warned, which may result in further seizures in the future.

Poster Competition
PCSOs organised a poster competition with Local year 7 and year 8 students from Highcrest, raising road safety awareness within the community. Students (aged 12 and 13) submitted entries in order to win prizes including a Nintendo Wii, which was donated by John Lewis.

The neighbourhood policing team continues to identify and address the current community problems and concerns.

Neighbourhood Action Groups and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes (NHW)
Although NAG’s often have close connections to Neighbourhood Watch, the two initiatives are very different. NAG’s exist to solve community problems whereas Neighbourhood Watch aims to prevent an incident by anticipation.

How will I be kept updated?
The Bowerdean and Totteridge NAG will regularly contribute to Spotlight and other local media and also to NHW to keep residents informed of progress. Regular updates of the NAG, witness appeals and other information will also be sent out to individuals who have signed up to Thames Valley Police’s Community Messaging Service, more details of which can be obtained via The Watch Office at Amersham Police Station or via www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org.

How do I get involved?
If anyone has any questions or wants to help, please contact the Bowerdean & Totteridge NAG, c/o the Blogmaster.

The NAG is not a substitute for incidents which require Police attendance. These still need to be reported as normal:
* Emergencies 999
* Non-Emergencies 08458 505 505