Police
Changes
have been made in community policing across Suffolk as part of the Government's
police reform agenda. In Suffolk, Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs)
which have been created across the county will see Police Officers, Community
Support Officers and Special Constables working with other organisations
including local councils (SCDC).
Melton, Ufford and Woodbridge now form a single SNT. There will be a change in working practices but there are no plans for any additional personnel.
The council is represented by Cllr Dann on the SNT Liaison Group that meets every two months to ensure that any issues raised with the council are dealt with effectively by the SNT.
No village can be entirely free of crime, but Melton has seen little serious crime or misbehaviour in recent years. The responses to the Village Plan questionnaire show that there are some concerns, particularly among young people:
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Amongst adults, 17% have concerns about their personal safety. Anti-social behaviour, poor lighting of footways and narrow / non-existent pavements appear to be the chief concerns. A broadly similar number (20%) of young people had similar concerns, and for similar reasons.
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Young people (11-17) believe community safety can be improved by better street lighting (48%), better measures to combat drink & drugs (38%) and a greater police presence /CCTV (both 37%).
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A large proportion of young people (63%) have been affected by crime or anti-social behaviour, principally vandalism (29%), lack of respect for public property (28%) and bullying (27%). Despite this, the overwhelming majority of young people feel safe in Melton (94%).
Copies of the minutes from the SNT Liaison Group meetings are presented as a paper to the full council once they are issued. These will be found on the council page.