13 February (Part 2) - Police report to People Scrutiny
Chief
Superintendent Peter Ayling spoke at what was to be his last People Scrutiny
meeting appearance last Tuesday and did not once mention his bête noir, the Romanian crime gangs. He had “taken them out”.
Various initiatives had resulted in burglaries being way down. Six months ago they
were up by 15%, now they are down 20% referenced to the same date, a 35%
improvement, the actual numbers being 1,800 then and 1,443 now. One of the best
performances of similar police areas in the country.
All forms of theft were also significantly down except for theft of
motorcycles which are “a challenge”. It is too dangerous to chase them. The
handling networks are being targetted (and thanks to that announcement they are
probably taking evasive measures right now).
Motor bike trained police officers are very expensive but training has been
ongoing nevertheless and offenders will be pursued with public nuisance offences
in addition to the legislation used hitherto.
Violent offences are up 29·3% (297 more offences but smaller increase than other boroughs)
but that is in part due to changed reporting criteria. Previously if you were pushed, fell
and grazed your skin, that was common assault. Now it is Grievous Bodily Harm. As far as
I am aware, punching someone’s teeth out has not yet been reclassified as murder.
There is a surplus of around 50 officers in the borough at the moment which has
allowed some flexibility until they are dispersed to assigned posts. The situation in Thamesmead has been improved
as already
reported and will not be the only beneficiary, among them domestic
violence incidents. There has been an increase in domestic abuse over the past year of
34%. That’s 212 additional offences and the four or five hotspots are spread
across the borough and probably related to (in PC speak) “diverse communities”.
Repeat offending is commendably low.
Since September when the parks were left unlocked, the issue has become “a high
profile issue” for the police. There has been “a series of arsons in Danson
Park” and police officers are “concerned”. Strategies will be tailored as for
any other crime. “Young scallywags need chasing down.”
Councillor Alan Downing asked CS Ayling’s opinion of CCTV. Short of a name or
forensic evidence “it was still far and away the primary measure by which we can
find an prosecute offenders”. The Commander was “overwhelmingly in favour.”
Then, led by cabinet member Alex Sawyer, the committee then went into back slapping
mode and the councillors gave the outgoing Chief Superintendent a round of applause,
thankful that he had not, so far as is known, arrested councillor Craske, or any of
his colleagues during his two year period of tenure.