AS part of our commitment to neighbourhood policing, engagement with the community and focusing our resources on local issues, I hold a tasking meeting with all members of the north neighbourhood team once a fortnight. Decisions are taken as to where our

AS part of our commitment to neighbourhood policing, engagement with the community and focusing our resources on local issues, I hold a tasking meeting with all members of the north neighbourhood team once a fortnight.

Decisions are taken as to where our limited resources will be deployed and local issues and crime trends are discussed.

I thought it may be beneficial to reproduce highlights of the minutes from these meetings in this column to allow all the residents in the north neighbourhood to understand our priorities and target areas.

Over the last month, the neighbourhood has prioritised a series of burglaries in Littleport and vehicle crime in Ely.

There has been a dramatic increase in burglary in Littleport throughout June and into July. The offences were all during the daytime and you may have seen a press release about the series and offering some advice.

The burglaries stopped with the arrest of one man from Norfolk, who has committed crime across the region. He has admitted a total of 16 house burglaries in Littleport, which accounts for the whole series.

Vehicle crime has proven a tougher nut to crack. The primary problem area has been in Ely city and we believe that a number of offenders have been responsible.

The whole team changed to work night shifts in order to address the problem, and there was a dramatic reduction in offending.

One local suspect has been arrested for multiple offences and work continues to combat the problem.

Incidents of theft of pedal cycles and theft from vehicles and criminal damage have increased with the start of the school holidays. PCSO Emma Graves is gathering evidence in relation to youths strongly believed responsible for this increase. Please contact her with any information.

Priorities are discussed and agreed at every team meeting. The most recent priorities are:

# Witchford - patrols to combat a rise in anti-social behaviour.

# Littleport - patrols to combat rise in pedal cycle theft, criminal damage and vehicle crime. PCSOs to take the lead in checking youths with pedal cycles in the village.

# Sutton - patrols in the area of Saffron Piece following reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.

# Ely - theft from and of motor vehicles. Proactive visits to suspects. High visibility patrols in town centre targeting anti-social use of motor vehicles.

Speed checks will be carried out in the following areas following complaints from residents: Coveney, Witcham, Little Downham, Witchford, Sutton, Back Hill, West Fen Road and Downham Road, Ely and Wisbech Road and Ely Road, Littleport.

# Sgt Alan Savill, North Neighbourhood. Tel: 01353 656640/0845 456 4564 Ext 6640. Mobex 7110833.

Or you can e-mail: alan.savill@cambs.pnn.police.uk