Page 15 - Phonebox Magazine December 2007

Mercury Report
Olney Town Council Meeting of Monday 5th November 2007
Public participation
No member of the public spoke at this month's meeting.
Police report
This report was given by PC Andy Perry. In October there were 23 recorded offences, including:
5 thefts from motor vehicles
6 cases of criminal damage
4 thefts
1 assault, suspect arrested
2 cases of shoplifiting, both arrested 1 theft of mail
1 case of dangerous driving, arrested
1 case of drugs possession, arrested
Several Police were present at this meeting and a long discussion followed, just the key points of which are detailed below.
Paul Watson pointed out that the monthly crime figures had in general risen, being in the teens five to six years ago and, on average, close to the thirties now. PC Perry felt that this was due to changes in the way in which crimes are reported and that, really, the actual amount of crime had reduced.
Dave Price thanked the Police for their assistance on Fireworks Night.
Various issues were raised, mainly related to Policing priorities and the 0845 number on which members of the public are meant to report crimes. Superintendent Gez Chiariello responded to these, noting that Olney Town Council should flag any such issues directly to him and, regarding the 0845 number, that Councillors should wait until after their forthcoming visit to the Police telephone control centre before saying any more. For information, the number is 0845 8 505 505.
The Police made the point strongly that people who see crimes should report them, explaining that decisions on resourcing and investigations are made based on reported crime. Thus, people who do not report crime because, for example, they believe their reports will not be followed up, are not helping the situation locally.
Paul Watson asked about the recently imposed Drinking Control Zone. He said that Thames Valley Police had encouraged its creation but that he was now concerned that there may not be sufficient Police Officers to enforce it. He noted that 18 months ago
there were three Police Officers ring fenced to Olney whereas there's now effectively just one. He said that Olney residents are paying £450,000 per annum – up 89% in the last six years – and that they should expect there to be adequate cover for measures such as the Control Zone.
PC Perry praised the work of PC Dan Smith who has been very proactive in enforcing the Control Zone. Paul and others agreed and noted that the work of individual Officers was very good. Superintendent Chiariello explained that there were still officially two Officers for Olney but that, with personnel leaving and problems with recruitment, it would take some time to reach that number in practice. He said if Olney Town Council was to take the matter to someone more senior than him in the Police, he would be asked to justify the number of Officers in Olney and that he would find it hard to do so based on its comparatively low level of crime. He also noted that Officers are usually away from their ring fenced areas for less than 5% of the time.
Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)
John Sharp reported briefly on the last NAG meeting. Two letters had been received complaining about the yellow signs on lampposts encouraging people to report crime on the 0845 number. He explained that the signs were not permanent and that, echoing comments from the Police earlier in the meeting, the more crime is reported, the better the response Olney will get from the Police.
The Olney Group (TOG)
Dave Price had provided copies of the rules of the TOG organisation, which ran Fireworks Night
and will be involved with other events round the town. Councillors read them and expressed approval.
On the demise of Olney Floral Fiesta, the remaining money in its bank account was handed over to the Council as required by its constitution. The money has remained there waiting for an organisation with aims in line with those stated in the Fiesta constitution to use it and organise events for the people of the town. TOG has such aims and the money – around £2,500 – will be passed to TOG shortly.
Bits 'n' bobs
Jeremy Rawlings, Chair of Governors at Olney Infant School, noted that a new Computer Suite was opening there on 15th November.
Paul Watson congratulated Dave Price for organising Fireworks Night, Stephen Oakley for sponsoring it, Gerald Wilson for organising the marshals on the night and the Cricket and Bowls Clubs for providing the marshals. He noted that many had said it was the best display they'd seen in Olney. Dave acknowledged that it was a team effort and extended his thanks to all involved. q
Mediterranean Restaurant
OLNEY
Christmas Special Menu
£14.95 per person
We accommodate large parties Reservations taken
Phone
01234 714600
4 The Galleries, Market Place, Olney, Bucks MK46 4EA
email: kasbaholney@hotmail.co.uk
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 3rd December in the Council Chamber in the Olney Centre. Members of the public are always welcome to attend and, if they wish, speak at the start of the meeting.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11.30am–2.30pm & 6.00pm–10.00pm
Phonebox Magazine 15