Out on Patrol – Wycombe West

The results of the last TV Alert Top 3 community concerns that you would like the Neighbourhood team to focus on were ASB, Drugs and Speeding.

ASB

Castlefield has experienced higher than normal levels of ASB over the last year.   This included a number of issues last Halloween where young adult males caused disorder and even posted fireworks into peoples letterboxes.  There are still a number of people on extended bail with conditions for this.  The complexities with masks has led to new investigative techniques being pursued.  A joint Crime and Fire prevention meeting is planned at The Ark at Rutland Avenue on the 16th October 2025.   Following feedback from our joint Castlefield Coalition meetings I arranged for a visit from a Regional Designing Out Crime officer.   An assessment of the area was completed and we are awaiting their findings which will be shared with partners to try and find further ways to improve the area. 

Due to the levels of uninsured vehicles in High Wycombe we held an Operation, with our Roads Policing Team colleagues, that resulted in 8 vehicles being seized for no insurance, two for no licence and one for no tax.  Eight tickets were issued for various traffic offences, two persons summonsed to court.  One vehicle did fail to stop for police this resulted in the occupants being caught, searched and arrested for possession of class a drugs with intent to supply.

The team has been out and visiting shops that have been experiencing problems with high levels of shoplifting or other ASB.  The ASB that is caused to staff by repeat shoplifters has not gone unnoticed.  At a local level we have targeted the repeat offenders and put in place better protocols to ensure that these crimes are being reported to us.   This has resulted in an increase of thefts being reported.   We are currently recording a 40% detection rate which is good. In October the Retail Crime Investigation Team becomes fully staffed and will be seeking to identify those offenders who are unknown to us.  In the last month we have put in place Have Your Say meetings with the public in these locations to catch members of the public whilst they are out and about.

Drugs

There has been controversy about the polices powers in using Stop and Search powers.   This is a vital power in dealing with criminals.  It allows us to use our powers when there are reasonable grounds and suspicion that a person is carrying a prohibited item.  Only last week I was hosting an independent panel to review three searches and provide feedback.   The team utilised these powers following reports of issues in Edmunds Close where a person was found with drugs and arrested.

A common complaint is neighbours using drugs at home.  If we do receive such a complaint we will look into the concerns, checking for corroborating evidence and then look to use ASB powers.   This ranges from a warning letter up to a closure order where the behaviour is causing a nuisance or annoyance to multiple people.  Several home visits have taken place with written warning s being given.

Speeding

Operation Glare, our Speeding Enforcement operation, focuses on obtaining data for other Agencies to use in considering speeding measures, obstacles / furniture.   With all Agencies having to reduce spending we really need to be able to evidence the need for road improvements.

This month I discussed my concerns that the regular use of MVAS systems is not being used as much in High Wycombe compared to other locations.   This issued is being looked into by the Community Board and is to be discussed at the next High Wycombe Town Committees meeting to see if we can get these in places where there is a problem.  I will keep you updated with how this goes

We did deal with 4 people for riding e-motor bikes offences with them being reported for careless riding and no insurance.

Checks were conducted on Plomer Hill, Littleworth Road and Lane End Road.  The police will share data of injury accidents and this will assist in supporting the need for councils to look at speed reduction signs (MVAS).Where there is a higher proportion of speeding we will look to conduct future enforcement at those locations.