Chesterfield MP praises group's work

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has praised the work of a partnership crime busting group after joining them on an estate walkabout this week.

Labour MP Mr Perkins took to the streets with the South St Augustine's Action Group (SStAAG) on Tuesday afternoon visiting homes on St Augustine's Avenue, Bacons Lane, Milton Crescent and Bryon Road to find out about community concerns.

The group was created by the Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership at the start of the year and includes the Holmebrook and Rother Safer Neighbourhood Team, the fire service, Trading Standards and CBC's housing, leisure and environmental departments.

During the walkabout Mr Perkins went door-to-door with the team and found out what concerned the residents most including speeding vehicles, anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Mr Perkins said: "It was really gratifying that so many people feel things have improved in recent months. There seems to be wide spread support for the new CCTV provision and although there are a few outstanding issues that have been identified, on the whole people are quite positive.

"It is important that the police, council officers and politicians are accessible to local people and take action on their concerns and I support the group's work in the area."

All the information passed on to the group is used to consider long term solutions to the area's most common problems and take action against offenders.

One of the solutions proposed by the group following a previous walkabout was
a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) which would cover most of the St Augustine's area.

This was proposed after residents said teenagers and young adults congregating and drinking alcohol is the biggest issue in the area.

A DPPO is a discretionary power that allows police or authorised officers (such as a Park Warden) to confiscate alcohol in public places, or require a person to stop drinking even if they are over 18.

If a person refuses to comply with the officer's request they can be arrested and fined up to £50 for the offence.

Everyone the team spoke to during the latest walkabout was in favour of the order which could be in place in the next three months.

Other action to be taken includes housing officers seeking an eviction on a nuisance neighbour on Bacons Lane and police and trading standards monitoring an off licence after receiving information they were supplying alcohol to under 18s.

Fire officers also warned residents about the dangers of keeping bins directly under windows and offered them free fire safety checks.

UV pens to mark property were given out and footprint leaflets were left at houses where no one was home but had windows open - to show how easily sneak-in burglar could have got into their home.

Community Safety Partnership Sergeant Rob Smith added: "We have done a number of walkabouts now and the feedback continues to be positive. Residents can genuinely see an improvement and therefore keep passing on vital information."

The group will meet on Thursday, August 26 to discuss progress made on the issues identified during the walkabout.