A POLICE operation in St Martin’s during Easter reduced crime by almost 60% compared with the same period last year. The community-based project came about after the force’s analysis team predicted a rise in crime during the two-week period.
Sergeant Jane Henaghen said the operation had been a preventative measure after antisocial incidents at the beginning of the year.
‘We consider it a very successful operation from a statistical and community point of view,’ she said. There were 27 crimes in the area last year but for the same period this year, only 10 were reported.
Sergeant Henaghen said the operation, from Friday 30 March to Monday 16 April, had been an excellent way to build relationships with the community. ‘I particularly wanted the newer officers to make links and deal, over an extended period of time, with the community,’ she said.
She added that parish residents were being encouraged to set up a neighbourhood watch scheme.
‘We had one person who was very interested in setting up a scheme and it is something that we would really like people to get involved with. The community has eyes and ears and, statistically, people in a neighbourhood watch area are less likely to be the subject of crime.’
Amanda Hunter, one of the PCs involved in the community operation, said she thought it had worked really well.
‘If groups of youths were hanging around the area, which others can find intimidating, the operation gave us a reason to speak to them without them feeling as though we were accusing them of anything,’ she said.
‘We spoke with them in a non-confrontational way about how they might be perceived by others in the area.’
Leaflets were handed out, particularly to the young, detailing parish activities.
PC Hunter explained: ‘There was the normal complaint that there was not enough to do, but we had the leaflets that showed them otherwise.
‘For example, there is always something going on at the community centre. I think a lot of the youngsters just did not know about the activities available.’
Sergeant Henaghen added that the young had been very helpful and receptive to the operation. ‘The vast majority of young people are good citizens and it’s only a minority who cause the problems. There is always a danger of labelling all youths who hang around in groups.
‘They get stereotyped and this operation has hopefully broken down some barriers, because we had no problems with them.’
Article posted on 25th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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