In response to members requests, this Newsletter is now prepared and distributed twice a year, following each of the Associations

Coordinators Meetings, to reflect their content. Corresponding notes and presentations are published on the web site www.rnwa.org.uk.

RNWA Newsletter
Autumn Congress 2013

Chairmans Thoughts
What is the role of the coordinator in practice? This is a question asked by many new Coordinators and should be addressed (SNT) by as the part Safer of the Neighbourhood Team do? The responsibilities of these teams and how work was prioritised was clearly. Anti-Social Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) are given out for low level offences. They are not enforceable but are driven by Rushmoor Borough Council (RBC) they have been very successful to-date. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are restrictive and usually given out following a conviction. Currently there are only 9 ASBOs in force in Rushmoor. Surprisingly, none of these are for children and the oldest person with one is 68. Overall crime is still low and the stats are encouraging. Finally the police spoke about Speedwatch and the need for more volunteers. One coordinator spoke up about how much they enjoyed being a volunteer. Inspector Olga Venner, for Farnborough, spoke about how successful Hampshire Constabulary already is and how the challenge is to continue to improve. In the North of the county our agencies are all very good at working together which means we are able to do a lot more with far less resource than the larger Hampshire cities. The force still needs to save 2.5m, but to achieve still more. Insp Venner mentioned how CI Berry feels that victims must be out at the centre of all that the police force does. Bike Theft and Home

recruitment process and as it applies to the particular street, or beat. RNWA now works in partnership with North Hants Safer Neighbourhoods and as such, this larger body has greater access to funding awarded by the Police and Crime Commissioner to the North Hants NHW as a whole. The provision of high visibility jackets for

Coordinators got a good reception. Also mentioned was the re-branding of Aldershot and information about this was provided inside the free shopping bags. Free Aldershot bags and key rings are proving very popular!

John Koenigsberger (Chairman@rnwa.org.uk)

AGM
The existing committee were all willing to stand for re-election.

Police Report
PCSO Gary Pullinger and SGT Debbie Barnes spoke about the SNTs who are they and what they

RNWA is the Rushmoor Neighbourhood Watch Association: www.rnwa.org.uk Hampshire Police non emergency & enquiries: 101 Police emergencies: 999 Community Safety issues and non emergency crime: 101 Crime stoppers for any information about crime (anonymously if required): 0800 555111

Burglaries are 2 major areas of priority in Rushmoor and crime prevention is key. Since April in Rushmoor as a whole we have seen a reduction in violent crime, robberies, burglaries (in Aldershot), theft from vehicles, criminal damage and arson. Insp Venner also mentioned the need for

2 Where front line officers have been removed from a beat, the policy is to have a PCSO and then warranted officers to back up. Most community work doesnt need a warranted officer. 3 The police do not want to spend time retrieving lost bikes which must be proven to have been stolen. Many bikes are not marked even though police run free marking sessions. 4 One coordinator was questioning the fact that police vehicle maintenance volunteers were needed; he thought police should do it themselves or have paid people as every driver is responsible. Police stated they meant routine maintenance. They check before they go out but extra help means more time for patrolling. 5- Is there CCTV in Rushmoor? Yes, its very good and run from RBC for both Rushmoor and Hart. Busy areas (town centres) are covered until 3am. 6- Is there still a mobile CCTV unit? Yes (it belongs to Aldershot). 7- Farnborough town centre appears to have more and more cyclists who are not using the cycle lanes. Cllr. Parker feels the police should do more to enforce the use of cycle lanes. When asked by Insp Venner what he thought the police should do Cllr Parker thought taking their bikes off them and telling them they are breaking the law would be effective. Insp Venner explained that Farnborough has 3 dedicated officers (high visibility) who regularly stop cyclists who are in the wrong place. The police can issue a fixed penalty for this offence and they are currently working on a new campaign. It was also mentioned that people appear to be walking in cycle lanes! John closed the meeting at 8:55 and thanked all for attending. The next meeting will be held in March 2014.

volunteers. There is currently a real need for an office based volunteer in Farnborough who can coordinate ASB information. If anyone is interested they should get in touch.

Owen Durrett JP
Although this presentation was a much shorter version of what Mr Durrett usually presents, it was very interesting and extremely well received. A few headlines from the presentation: There are 165 lay magistrates; They represent the community; There have been justices of the peace for the last 650 years; Foot/fist are classed as weapons; 95% of fines levied are paid, as the courts can take from benefits or straight from wages.

Questions raised from the floor

1 What is the situation with prison places When sentencing in court do you have to consider that we do not enough prisons? Magistrates do not stop to think about the number of prison places available. If a person is sent to prison they will go but not necessarily locally. Not sure prison is a deterrent, doesnt fix long term issues unless in there for long term. Community orders can work better if they are strong. Try to change behaviour in youngsters rather than sending them to prison.

Autumn 2013 Help us to increase the number of watches and coordinators in Rushmoor