Pucklechurch Parish council has a duty to consider the impact of its functions and decisions on crime and disorder within the parish, under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act (1998).
At the practical day-to day level, Pucklechurch Parish Council monitors crime reports and trends, and works with the Boyd Valley, Emersons and Lyde Green community policing team to help reduce crime, antisocial behaviour and disorder. The Parish Council also supports any initiatives that protect residents from the fear and the impact of crime.
The Parish Council carries out its duty by the following means:
- Local PCSO (named contact Bianca Rotariu) provides reports and attends parish council meetings when shifts permit to exchange information with councillors and residents.
- Works closely with PCSOs who update the Clerk on crime issues within the Parish
- Listens to local residents’ and reporting their concerns to the PCSO or online Policing portal.
- Considers the potential impact on crime and disorder of any new planning application where relevant.
- Shares best practice and guidance with the community through the council noticeboards, website and local social media networks.
- Attendance at the Town and Parish forum and South Gloucestershire council Clerks Networking meetings where regular updates on initiatives related to crime reduction are discussed
When developing and implementing projects, Pucklechurch Parish council is minded of the:
- impact on crime and disorder especially anti-social behaviours
- public safety
- the prevention of public nuisance
- protection of children from harm.
Monitoring and reporting crime and trends in the parish
- Ensure the prompt removal of litter, graffiti, and any signs of vandalism at public open spaces maintained by Pucklechurch Parish council.
- Prompt on-line reporting of graffiti and signs of vandalism to South Gloucestershire council.
- Provide litter bins in public open spaces maintained by the parish council
- Provide recreational facilities for younger people
- Support junior sports clubs and other youth organisations via its grant awards scheme
- Publish relevant information on its website and Facebook page to include links to local police initiatives and details of the community forum meetings where there are opportunities to meet the police and vote on local policing priorities.
- Encourage dialogue and participation in policing issues from parishioners, including reporting urgent crimes and less urgent crimes via the relevant contact numbers or online, so that these can be logged and dealt with accordingly by the Police