60 new Police Officers, and more PCSOs' being recruited confirmed by Cambridgeshire Police

Despite all the national tales of financial doom and gloom, Cambridgeshire Police, are to defy the statistics and launch a recruitment drive for 40 new police officers in November 2011 with a further 20 new police officers being added to the payroll  in March 2012. This is in addition to a number of new PCSO's being recruited.  

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 (C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch 2011, Peterborough,UK E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Tottenham Riot. Could it happen elsewhere?





This was a London Double Deck Bus.....

You will have seen the harrowing television footage from the protest, riots and mindless looting in Tottenham North London (Haringey Council) last night, many residents not connected with events, had to flee their homes and have literally lost everything as buildings were torched and burnt down.

The incidents all happened late last night and too late for the Sunday newspapers. The cause of the initial unrest related to a shooting by police officers last Thursday when a local man, 29 year old, Mark Duggan, allegedly armed, died.  No one is certain at this stage who fired first, but clearly when firearms are being used, the outcome can often be tragic and certainly final.

The shooting is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission [IPCC], it was an automatic immediate referral, but the frustration in the Tottenham community seems to be that due to the investigation process, no immediate information could be released to the family of the deceased, but a Tweet earlier today, from the IPCC claims a meeting was held with the Duggan family on Saturday and another scheduled for later today Sunday, but what it does all underline is the need for fast, credible and efficient local communications and maintaining continuing understanding between all sectors of the community or neighbourhood.

Hopefully locally in Stanground and Park Farm, Peterborough,  we have repeatedly demonstrated the power of local immediate informed communication and the clear values of working closely with our neighbourhood policing teams, and the valuable local knowledge they have built up.

Even so there is still a small section of our community who "simply don't get it" or just choose "not to get it. "  It also has to be said that when the initial disturbances happened in Tottenham, politicians were falling over themselves to get on TV, but now that the incidents have happened, the 'national' politicans this Sunday morning are now strangely silent and thin on the ground. Tottenham Labour MP David Lammy (born in Peterborough) did however break ranks, and in a series of soundbites, claimed the community had been broken and that 'the looters and robbers' were from outside the area and were summoned via Twitter.

Simply police rehearse responses to a variety of major incidents and it is fair to assume they have worked out plans which can (when funding permits) be switched into operation.  The lessons to be learned for our own City are clear, we have a vibrant well established multi ethnic population. It was not part of any deliberate plan, but has evolved, families in most areas of the City, feel safe here, and that is how it should remain. It needs all of us to 'buy in' to the concept.

Simply, we can all learn from each other, in Tottenham several youth clubs closed down one after the other, the reasons given - lack of leaders, volunteers and lack of continuing funding and the younger generation seemingly left frustrated and disenfranchised with nowhere to go. Social Media in 2011, quickly fills the void and Gangs cynically mop up the disaffected, rapidly organise and move into position by the power of Twitter, Facebook and Smartphones.

There is also a constant need for information on crime and clearly some people are not prepared to deal directly with police or council officials, for these people, can we suggest  they use Crimestoppers, the anonymous crime reporting freephone line on 0800 555 111? Where information can be quickly passed on by the charity to the most appropriate source.

Metropolitan Police Commander Adrian Hanstock said this morning that a small peaceful demonstration, more a vigil, last night was deliberately hijacked by 'mindless criminal thugs' looters and others not connected with the earlier peaceful demonstation. Police had deliberately maintained a low profile during the vigil, and escalated response in line with the increasing level of violence (around Midnight). Resources were called in from neighbouring areas and further resources are being deployed today . Currently 42 are in custody and 26 police officers are injured/in hospital.



Clearly the thoughts and wishes of our Stanground and Park Farm Community are firmly with the people of Tottenham, in what is a very difficult time for all concerned.

Julian Bray

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.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 (C)Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch 2011, Peterborough,UK E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS on FREEPHONE 0800 555 111 **** Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, an independent of police charity, will anonymously take and pass on confidential information on crime, knife crime and domestic violence. **** >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722&ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Neighbourhood Policing Team Panel Meeting Reports

Neighbourhood Policing Team, Panel Meeting, Tuesday 11th January 2011


The meeting was well represented by local Councillors, Police, Council staff, Housing Association staff and members of the public. It was good to see so many attending on such a bitterly cold night. The Baptist Church made us very welcome and provided facilities for a PowerPoint presentation and a public address system ( sadly the microphone remained switched off, despite representations from several deaf people in the audience ... ) writes Morag Irving.

Our new Neighbourhood Policing Team Leader Sgt. Simon Goldsmith was introduced and welcomed. Simon replaces Sgt Coulson. (Luke Couson was however warmly thanked by the meeting for his service to the community and he is now pounding the Northern Beat of Werrington, Paston and environs. As a bonus he also gets the rural beats of Glinton, Eye and Thorney!)

Sgt Goldsmith has previously worked the Ortons and quickly demonstrated to the meeting that he is a highly experienced Neighbourhood Policing specialist.

For many years Sgt. Goldsmith was a traffic officer, he stated that his approach is very much a ‘Back to Basics’ ethos. Which will be very unwelcome news for any 'bad lads and lasses' on our patch, as we can expect a much increased number of warrants being executed, fines levied, premises visited and offenders locked up. Truly 'Back to basics'!

Instilling in his team 'no nonsense enhanced police skills' is his immediate task. Sgt Goldsmith, although only in post for a week is already in the process of bringing his team up to speed on what he expects from them, instilling a new culture of working on initative, detection, police skills and intuition rather than following standard edicts or generic instruction. A presentation was then given by Matthew Lee (Deputy Leader PCC, Councillor, Member of the Police Authority).

The main points of the presentation were:-

The Constabulary has a budget of £131.4 million for 2011/12. (This equates to £171 per person).
No increase in the portion of your Council Tax payable which goes to Policing has been made. This amounts to an annual loss of £3.5 million, with costs increasing by 2.5million.

115 support staff jobs have been made redundant from Cambridgeshire Constabulary. None of these are Police Officers who are employed as servants of the Crown and cannot be made redundant, hence the reductions have been made from support and other civilian staff.

Morag queried if this would have an effect on Neighbourhood Policing and was assured no loss had been made to our sector.

Matthew Lee went on to explain the problems in our area, where it is believed we have a much higher than officially recorded population. The hope is the next census will reflect this and lead to an increase by central Government in the Police budget.

The good news from the meeting is that our area is now considered to be very quiet with very few Police concerns. This can be put down to the local community taking an active part in supporting the actions of Police.

Cycle crime however is up with 25 reported crimes in our sector. Schools are to be given information and work by Officers is being carried out to educate cycle owners.

Residents expressed concern re speeding around Oakdale Avenue and the school. Volunteers are to be trained in the use of hand held laser detection speed cameras, the results of which will result in police and PCC follow up with the offending drivers concerned (if you would like to volunteer please let us know).

Police stated that parking and obstruction problems in Hampton continue to be an issue and are being addressed.

Concern was raised at the continuing number of speeding incidents especially connected with school and rat runs. Incidents of illegal parking or waiting on chevrons or zig zags outside schools.
News was given that a specialist £100,000 instant number plate recognition camera vehicle had been commissioned, this will automatically detect and issue parking fines, and document speeding, road tax and associated motor insurance offences. The meeting was reminded that the local residental speed limit is 20 mph.

Priorities for the next period have been set and are given as :

ASB (anti-social behaviour) in and around Stewartby Avenue, Hampton

ASB (anti-social behaviour) in Fellowes Gardens

ASB (anti-social behaviour) in The Dell

Officers pointed out that policing levels in Park Farm and Stanground generally would be maintained at an appropriate level although reported crimes due to greater community involvement are at a lower level than before.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 5th April at the Infant School, Brewster Avenue, Woodston. All are welcome.

** A profile of Sgt. Simon Goldsmith will be published here at a later date

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581
Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT
All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Politicians have had their day, it’s now all down to us!

Lighening Bolt. Not unlike the effect the year on year
spending cuts will have in the UK

Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch (in Peterborough) Chairman Julian Bray writes: So we’ve had all the talk about cuts and make no mistake these Governement funding cuts in the UK and elsewhere in Europe will bite hard and are here to stay for five years at least.


Many people will lose their jobs, life and times will get much harder and the services we have come to rely on will simply vanish or be watered down. Despite what the politicians say the cuts will certainly hit families with children, the vulnerable, the low waged, says the highly respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (low waged loss about 5.4 per cent).


Families will be squeezed financially and many who have enjoyed low or minimal rents in social housing will find rentals on new occupancies being increased to a level not far off rents charged by the private or commercial sector. Taking all this together, might have a knock on effect in terms of an increase in anti-social behaviour as some families will simply not be able to cope. What has not been considered is that VAT is also set to rise in January to 20 per cent, automatically triggering a round of further higher price rises all over the place.


Life is rapidly getting more expensive and we will all be paying far more for a great deal less! Rail fares are set to skyrocket with £1,000 on a commuters annual season ticket. The list goes on and on so, rather than work ourselves into a real paddy, what can be done?


Clearly quality of life, and an ability to keep our families safe and secure has to be very near the top of what we strive for. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme on Park Farm has certainly year on year focused attention of both the Police and the community on the very small minority, who at one time tried to make all our lives a misery.

It’s been a struggle and not all officials have welcomed us with open arms, but the sheer relentless nature of our continuing contact programme has made a difference, so the initial doubters have had to take notice.


No matter how many cuts in funding are made, with the voluntary status of PFNW we are uniquely placed and can maintain our service to the community and indeed invite the community to be a part of it. To use an old Union statement ‘Unity is strength’ and no more so than a healthy PFNW punching well above its weight! PFNW raised funds and financially contributed to the setting up of the new skate and scooter facility and even an all weather shelter where they can ‘hang out’ in style and comparative safety.


A series of arrests, parental control orders and in some cases a good old ticking off mainly by parents and guardians has seen crime figure stabilise and in some cases drift downwards. But it’s not all down to hoodies, much of the former mayhem on our doorsteps in Park Farm and Stanground was put down to the older career criminal and a dysfunctional yobbo element for whom no cure is seemingly possible!


So they have all been on the radar and frankly if there is too much heat then the distraction burglary or handbag snatch just becomes too much of an effort, with not two but dozens of eyes and hundreds of camera mobile phones, silently recording almost every move, simply watching the bad lads and lasses all the time and around the clock.


Confidential telephone lines, the internet, the new interactive (hate that word) website and a well thought out local policing strategy which the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary Chief Constable Simon Parr is very keen to maintain, even in difficult financial times, have all finally come together and we are not going to let it all break down now, we all have to much to lose.


We’ve devised a new direct action strategy for Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch [PFNW] it fits in well with the local neighbourhood policing strategy and aims to provide a support service and intelligence as appropriate. You will have already noticed that the media is a core part of the new strategy, our friends in the press, radio and television, both regional and national are all directly involved.

Those caught up on the wrong side of the law will soon find that the full glare of sustained media publicity will be turned upon them and their associates, simply everyone in the community will know. Following legal process “Named, shamed and blamed”,


They will be quickly shunned in their usual social haunts, fingers will be pointed and shopkeepers will already know who they are.


The beauty of this strategy is that we as citizens already have this power – the power of communication and passive direct action. We’ll leave the arrests and locking up to the professionals, but with our willing army of ever seeing eyes and immediate access to communication we can help the Police by increasing the quality of information and intelligence we pass to them.


Instead of requesting visits by police usually with a car, we can use e-cops, physically make the trip to a nearest Police station, mobile police office or simply telephone the general help number or even use neighbourhood watch members to keep an eye on any developing situation. Simply the budget cuts will have an effect on everything we do and on many services we have up to now taken for granted.


It is all changing, so the plea is can we turn what appears to be a fiscal catastrophe into something that really works for us? Already PFNW has streamlined the system, no one in our area has been left out, everyone is included. Membership is FREE, no time is required on your part, just the ability to pick up a phone, send an e-mail and take a look at the website, possibly adding a few comments or asking for information, it really is that simple.


We started all this by highlighting the savage funding cuts that are being made but if we can turn this to our advantage, now is the time to re-think everything, do it better, faster, brighter and cheaper!





(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581