Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team target new priorities

Residents and community members have set two new priorities for the Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The team will be targeting nuisance drivers in and around Buxton town centre and hope to introduce more Community Speed Watch sessions into the area.

They had previously been targeting concerns around anti-social behaviour in the Pavilion Gardens car park and thefts from vulnerable people and charity shops on the Spring Gardens.

It follows their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, July 28, where the group also agreed the team could close their former priorities.

Officers had made regular patrols to the Pavilion Gardens and held a special operation to target nuisance drivers. A number of drivers have been given a Section 59 warning for the manner of their driving and a few were seized.

Alcohol has been seized from underage drinkers and officers issued a number of Section 27 disposals, preventing youngsters found to be causing trouble or drinking from returning to the area within 48 hours.

Derbyshire Youth Service have been running an Outreach programme for youngsters and together with the High Peak Community Safety Partnership, a number of diversionary activities have been set up, including a Teen Scene under 18s night at Level 2, to offer youngsters alternative activities.

Along with patrols to the Spring Gardens, more than 400 purse chains were given out to shoppers and signs have been put up in shop windows to make people aware of the issue and to encourage them to keep their belongings safe.

The team has been working alongside BRAC (Buxton Retailers Against Crime) and encouraging businesses to use the radio link up system to report suspicious activity and incidents.

A covert operation in the town centre also led to a number of people being arrested. Two offenders have been remanded in custody and are awaiting court appearances.

PC Sarah Crosthwaite of the Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We ask residents about their concerns and give them the chance to set priorities for ourselves and partner agencies to target.

"It is part of our commitment to keep Buxton a safe and pleasant place to live, work and visit and people can be assured that we will take steps and appropriate positive action to help address concerns; hopefully finding longer term solutions to community issues."

Meetings are held every three months to bring together local residents and community members to discuss concerns with police and partner organisations and have a say on what issues should be targeted.

The next meeting will take place at 2pm on Wednesday, October 27 at The Dome.

All local residents are welcome to attend but if you cannot make the meeting and would like to contact the team about any issues or concerns call 0345 123 33 33 or email buxton.neighbourhoods@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk.