Around 50 people turned out to the meeting to meet PCC Rupert Matthews (3rd from left) and DCC David Sandall (fourth from left) with members of the local beat team and local residents.
Since taking up office three years ago, I have made a point of getting out of the office one day a week to spend time in the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Another part of my drive to keep in touch with the public to find out what they think about the police and the various crime prevention measures my office undertakes is to hold public meetings around the city and two counties.
My latest meeting was held for the residents of Leicester East in Wesley Hall, just off Spinney Hill Park in East Leicester. As well as me, there were representatives from the local beat team alongside the Deputy Chief Constable, David Sandall, to answer any questions that may be asked.
Members of the public started to arrive. By the start time of 6:30 we had about 20 people present, but as we got underway that easily doubled.
After the opening presentations by myself and Deputy Chief Constable Sandall, it was over to questions from the floor.
The first was about crime levels in the area. Mr Sandall was able to reassure people that crime in East Leicester was down overall on last year – though as ever there were a few crimes types going in the opposite direction. The Evington area was the main place where street crime had risen slightly. This then led into quite a discussion with the audience, but it soon became clear that a confusion had arisen between the Evington area and the Evington Road. Mr Sandall was able to clarify. There were a few particular issues on the Evington Road, which the local beat team were on top of and dealing with by tightly focussed and pro-active policing. The Evington area had a more diffuse set of issues, which had been highlighted by statistical analysis. Again, the police were taking steps to deal with the issues, but they were distinct from the Evington Road.
Next, we moved on to a discussion about the different ways to get in touch with the police. To give non-urgent information it was recommended to use the website [www.leics.police.uk] or to dial 101 if you are not on-line. In answer to a query about how long it takes the police to answer the phone, David said that 94% of 999 calls are now answered within 10 seconds.
Discussion then moved on to Spinney Hill Park and some anti-social behaviour. Much of the concern seemed to centre around people drinking alcohol. As Mr Sandall pointed out, drinking in the park is not illegal so the police can’t take action on the drinking alone. If the drinking led to offences being committed then the police would get involved. Otherwise, it’s a matter for the park wardens.
A few other issues were aired, from the placement of CCTV cameras to road safety. David Sandall and Inspector Graham Wells, who leads East Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area, were able to respond to each point positively. Much of it they could say what was already being done, but they were also keen to pick up issues that had been raised, and signpost people to the most appropriate organisation if that was not the police.
By then the meeting was drawing to a close, but as a gauge of success, one gentleman made a point of thanking me for having held the meeting so that local people could air their views. Another complimented me on Mr Sandall’s informative responses. Others asked when the next meeting was planned as this one had been so useful.
My evening and the meeting had definitely been worthwhile. It is my intention to keep these meetings going in the future.
Rupert Matthews
Police & Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland
Posted on Tuesday 23rd January 2024