Police and Communities Together Meeting (PACT)

Thursday, 29 July 2010

report from Lesley Mackay of the meeting of Wednesday, 28th July

Apologies were given by Inspector Raw about the poor communication about the change of date and venue. 

Inspector Raw reported on crime for the six-week period of 15.6.10 - 27.7.10 in Calder Ward.  In the whole ward there were 47 crimes, down by 10 from the previous six-week period.  In our ward there were 2 burglaries of dwellings and there were 9 robberies from other buildings (down from 13 in the previous period).  There were 2 vehicle crimes (there were 8 in the previous period), one of which was drink related.

Following from recent unplanned closures of the A646, the police were keen to plan for similar events in the future.  Thus a Traffic Information Sign is being installed near the entrance to Moderna Business Park in Mytholmroyd - this is the last point at which vehicles can turn off the A646 and leave the valley. 

Chris Norbury has left his post for another in Halifax and his place is going to be taken over by Mel Baker.

Hole in T'Wall.  There has been some dialogue between the Licensing Authority and the landlord.  It now appears that things are now quieter and better.  Door staff are now employed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Police Station Closures.  Inspector Raw explained that there are two kinds of closure: one which means that the Police Station is closed to the public but that nevertheless has police officers working there.  The other kind of closure is when there is a For Sale sign outside the Police Station!  The Todmorden station was closed to all after the collapse of a culvert nearly two years ago.  Hebden Bridge station then hosted the Todmorden Help Desk but the Help Desk at Hebden Bridge had already been closed to the public.  Todmorden is going to have a disabled access ramp installed which means that it will re-open as a Help Desk when this work is completed.  At that stage, a decision about the Help Desk at Hebden Bridge will be taken.  There is no present intention to close either now or in the future. In Calder Valley there are four wards and three police stations.

Lesley Mackay mentioned that there seemed to be general satisfaction with the police in Hebden Bridge and with the continuing presence of PCSOs.  Others (who had turned up the previous evening but been unable to attend tonight's meeting)  had expressed concerns about speeding vehicles on the A646 and Keighley Road; vehicles parking on pavements; and, the overuse of sirens by emergency vehicles.  Inspector Raw said that speeding on the A646 was one of the priorities identified at recent Forum meetings.  Ed Webb said that a number of tickets had been issued for pavement parking. 

Finally, Inspector Raw offered to meet with anyone who had been unable to attend tonight's meeting and he can be emailed at:
West Yorkshire Police