Police and Communities Together Meeting (PACT)

report from Graham Barker of the meeting of Tuesday, 2nd March

Friday, 23 April 2010

For the period 3 March to 12 April there were 50 recorded crimes — an increase over the February figures.

Significant crimes included five burglaries or break-ins, and 12 vehicle crimes. These included one theft and one attempted theft of a motorbike, theft of number plates, theft of and from vehicles (resulting in two arrests), and several instances of vandalism (for one of which two youths were arrested). Points to note: one theft was of a 2009 Land Rover. New Land Rovers are currently a particular target for thieves. And the two suspects arrested for attempted vehicle theft were from Burnley, reminding us that rural areas are tempting to urban criminals. The police are well aware of this and are focusing on reducing cross-border crime. 

Efforts continue to combat anti-social behaviour. In Old Town, ASBOs are being pursued against a number of nuisance youths. 

It was agreed that priorities for the next period would be:

• Increasing patrols around the town now that the weather is improving and the nights are lighter; and
• Targeting cars parked obstructing pavements around the town, especially in the Birchcliffe and Foster Lane areas.

We were reminded that the direct phone number for Hebden Bridge Police Station is 01422 318181 (NB: not an ‘84’ number!). When unattended, there is an answerphone that is ‘emptied’ every day. Alternatively, non-urgent messages can be emailed either directly, or from the Hebden Bridge Neighbourhood page of the West Yorkshire Police website. (See also link from the HebWeb’s useful sites)

The next police meeting will be part of Calderdale’s ward forum meeting on Tuesday 15 June, at 6.30pm for a 7pm start in Hebden Bridge Town Hall.

Please come along! Your opinions really do make a difference to the way Hebden Bridge is policed.