ASB and Environmental - St Peters Church , Beck Hill

Groups of teenagers are gathering in the church and smoking Cannabis and also causing noise nuisance, swearing and leaving litter including discarded empty take away boxes and wrappers.

OBJECTIVES

• Work with, and support the relevant partners to ensure a safe environment of all those attending the location.
• To provide public reassurance as well as reducing the opportunity for crime and disorder through the effective deployment of police resources.
• Working with partners, stakeholders and local communities to minimise disruption to local communities.
• Maximise opportunities to secure information and intelligence in relation to any incident that is a policing matter.
• Maximise opportunities to secure evidence in relation to any potential offences whilst ensuring that the timing and scale of any police action or intervention mitigates the risk of problems escalating.

POLICE POWERS

• Section 34 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014: Authority to use section 35 dispersal powers. Officers will need to request that a Police Inspector puts this authority in place in order for a Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer in uniform to exclude a person from an area for a period up to 48 hours (some restrictions do apply)
• Drugs-Power to Stop and Search Persons and Vehicles: Section 23(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: A Police Officer who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any person is in possession of a control drug may search that person, any vehicle in which the officer suspects that the drug may be found.

If any other criminal offence takes place the police will proportionately investigate the incident along with the victim's wishes.

UPDATE 28/03/20  

Local team have been in this area but no one has been seen causing any issues or drug taking

Drug Dealing - ward wide

We understand there are concerns in respect of drug dealing across the Barton ward and we are absolutely committed to taking robust action. There have been a number of proactive warrants executed over recent months within this area already.

We have recently become aware of an increase in the use of Nitrous Oxide gas and that our local communities report finding discarded micro cannisters on the streets. We have issued a HEALTH WARNING in respect of the recreational use of Nitrous Oxide which can have serious health risks including :

• Loss of Blood Pressure
• Heart Attack
• Fainting
• Bone Marrow Suppression
• Difficulty Breathing
• Poisoning of the Central Nervous System

The above risks can increase if combined with alcohol or other drugs. Our advice is clear - do not inhale this substance and seek medical advice if consumed.

It is an offence to supply, or offer to supply a psychoactive substance under the Psychoactive Substance Act 2016 - which could lead to a sentence of up to 7 years and / or a fine if convicted.

This type of action will continue. We are working hard to understand the nature of this problem and urge members of the public to report their concerns to their local team, to police through the 101 number or alternatively, by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

UPDATE 

Drugs, cultivation and dealing

We have now launched operation Galaxy - which is a specialised team that are tackling drug dealing, cultivation and use. Please continue to report drug related matters. There have been numerous warrants executed in the Ashby ward area and several people have been arrested. The neighbourhood team take an active part within these operations. We will continue to target criminals and build up intelligence to secure warrants.

CrimeStoppers is a tried and tested method of reporting anonymous information to the police. We will assess and where the evidence exists , take positive action on reports of drug dealing, via this mechanism.

CrimeStoppers can be reached via their website or on 0800 555 111.