I have just received the minutes of the last PACT from PC Paul Willis. As he has told us to feel free to forward this e-mail to any person who would be interesyed in this process who you think is not on his mailing list, I have no hesitation in publishing the details here.

INTRODUCTION (PC PAUL WILLIS)
Paul Willis introduced members of the panel and himself and PCSO Giles. He also thanked those attending and thanked Sarah Giles for dealing with ward business in his absence.

UPDATE FROM LAST MEETING (PCSO SARAH GILES)
Drug dealing and related anti social behaviour centred around the phone kiosk in Powderham Crescent.

Removal of the phone box - The volume of drug related activity centred around the phone box warranted the use of Crack House Closure legislation. This plus the obvious strength of feeling from the residents was enough to convince BT to arrange for removal of the phone box. Exeter City Council shared the cost with BT and the phone box has now been removed. The area has seen an 86% reduction in reported incidents, none since the beginning of January.
Increase of Hi Visibility patrols – the area has been the focus of increased foot patrols by St James’ Neighbourhood Policing Team as well as PCSOs and officers from the city centre area. In addition to this police response units had been tasked with doing drive-throughs wherever possible.

Gating off alleyways – Plans are in place to gate off service alleyways behind houses fronting onto Powderham Crescent. These are regularly used by drug dealers and their customers to deal and take drugs. Exeter City Council have made a financial contribution.

Plain clothes officers – Uniformed police have been working alongside specialist officers to target addresses associated with drug dealing.

Ongoing monitoring of the situation – emphasis was put on the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting incidents. It was stressed that patrols would continue and that a reduction in incidents didn’t mean that Powderham Crescent would be left to fend for themselves.

Section 30 Dispersal Zone has been applied for. This will be a valuable tool in dispersing groups causing or contributing to anti social behaviour.

Comments from the floor
- Drug dealing had been going on for a long time in Powderham Crescent.
- The last meeting had raised awareness of the behaviour and appearance of drug dealers enabling a resident from another area to react appropriately and ring 999 when seeing similar activity in the Prison Lane area.
- The situation was considerably improved, thanks to police intervention.
- Were the Police able to anticipate where the drugs activity from Powderham would be displaced to?
- The issue of police response times to similar incidents elsewhere was brought up. Frustration with response times to calls was evident from some in the Longbrook Street area in particular.

Late Night Student Noise, Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage
Consultation with University and Others – emphasis was made on a joint partnership approach involving University security, Community Patrollers, Police, Residents associations, Councillors and the students themselves. It was stressed that the university are taking the problems very seriously and will be appointing a Community Relations Officer as a single point of contact for residents.

Public Interest Weighting – status has been applied for and granted. This means that a simple fixed penalty will no longer have to be the way of dealing with some offences in the area, and a more serious court appearance can be used instead.

Targeted patrols – the police are aware that many of the problems with student behaviour (whether transient or static) occur mainly between midnight and 4am. Patrols are planned focusing on areas experiencing problems at the times of year and night when they are at there worst.

Comments from the floor
- Damage to cars is ongoing.
- The university’s less tolerant attitude had been noticed and a restorative justice approach seen in Powderham Crescent was very much appreciated by residents.
- Problems with reporting incidents and response times.
- PC Dalziel introduced the SHUSH campaign and a street based Meet and Greet for new students which would involve the residents as well as the university.
- Will the university take responsibility for the behaviour of students living in the new purpose-built accommodation blocks going up in the area?
- The issue of a list of accredited landlords and letting agencies and agreed standards of accommodation was raised.
- Can the reporting process be simplified?
- Parking problems in student areas.

Anti Social Behaviour (Including Racist) in Well Street, York Road and Longbrook Street
Targeted patrols – making use of city centre colleagues to provide additional patrols in the area.

Working alongside Licensing and Community Safety Team to tackle the problem of on-street drinkers and their behaviour. Where possible using older legislation enabling the police to identify heavy drinkers making it an offence for them to buy alcohol or to sell alcohol to them.

Joint approach – with the school, and businesses such as the Launderette and Seasons as well as residents in the area. Encouraging them to contact the police and reiterating the importance of doing so. This has meant a 29% reduction in incidents since the last meeting.

Section 30 Dispersal Zone – a new dispersal zone has been applied for that will cover an area bordered by York Road, Pennsylvania Road, Old Tiverton Road (as far as the junction with Prospect Park) and Powderham Crescent.

Comments from the floor
- Several comments were received that made it clear that some of the issues from drunken behaviour in the street were caused by the same predominantly student group as they made their way back home after a night out.
- Parking issues around the school at drop-off and pick-up times were commented on.
- Use of the small park on York Road for drug dealing was brought up.

NEW PRIORITIES (PC PAUL WILLIS)
It was decided that because of the progress that had been made with the drug dealing issues around the Powderham Crescent phone kiosk it could now come off the list of priorities as established at the previous PACT meeting. Residents were invited to put forward suggestions for a new third priority. Suggestions were as follows:

- Drug dealing and drink related ASB in Bury Meadow. Residents in the area commented on a noticeable increase in the frequency of incidents and the numbers of those involved. Signs making it clear that it was a designated No Alcohol zone were suggested. It was also felt that the many entrance points to the park contributed to the feeling of safety apparently felt by the dealers. The park’s role in a drugs circuit was also raised.

- Late night noise in Velwell Road, Bury Meadow, New North Road and Howell Road. Many of the residents in the area felt strongly that the Imperial generated many of the problems due to the sheer numbers of customers. Examples of parking problems caused by an overflow from the Imperial’s own car parks as well as drunken behaviour, using the street and gardens as a public toilet etc.

- Dangerous cycling along the Hoopern Valley cycle path. It was felt that the lane demarcation contributed to problems with cyclists often going too fast for a shared path. The need for clearer signage was raised.

- Litter and rubbish from student houses in Hoopern Street and its junction with Howell Road. It was pointed out that this issue can be added to the existing priority of student related issues.

- Pollarded trees in Blackall Road facilitating fly tipping. What could the police do about one of the more prolific offenders?

- Dangerous driving around St Sidwell’s school. The 20 mph zone will come into effect in the next few weeks and its effectiveness will be monitored.

- Parking issues around the school.

- Parking issues in Hoopern Street. Residents were concerned that there might be problems with access for emergency vehicles.

Residents were asked to vote on the above with Bury Meadow gaining almost unanimous support. Therefore the new list of priorities are as follows:

- Student related ASB, noise and criminal damage.

- Anti social behaviour in Well St, York Rd, Longbrook St. It was decided that Powderham Crescent would be included in this route.

- Bury meadow drugs dealing, drinking and associated anti social behaviour.

Next Meeting –
St Sidwell’s School, Wednesday 16th July 2008, 5.30pm for 6pm start