Anti-social behaviour curbed in Grimshill

Anti-social behaviour appears to have reduced in Whitstable’s Grimshill Road estate, according to Kent Police’s latest figures. Calls to police about nuisance youths in the area have dropped from 28 calls (between August and November 2007) to just one call in the three months to February.

The neighbourhood officer for the Grimshill area, PC Barry Hilton, says: “We believe the reduction is a result of the local neighbourhood team and partner agencies working together to address the issues raised by residents at the local PACT (Partnership and Communities Together) meeting. The good work will be continuing as part of the Safer Spring campaign which focuses on anti-social behaviour.”

Kent Police worked with Canterbury City Council to issue four Acceptable Behaviour Agreements to four boys living in the area. Two of the boys are aged 16 and the other two are 13 years of age. A fifth ABA was served even though the boy it related to had moved from the area. It was served due to his behaviour whilst on the estate.

A warrant was also executed by police on the estate in connection with the supply of drugs. A 29-year-old man from Whitstable was charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis and supply of cannabis on 29 November 2007. He will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on 14 April for a plea and case management hearing.

PC Hilton said: “Nuisance behaviour, including motorcycles, were raised as the top priority by Grimshill residents. The behaviour agreements have certainly helped us to curb some of the problems. Community support officers Abi Symons and myself have been regularly patrolling the area to work with the local community.”

The local neighbourhood team specifically looked into reports of unlawful motorcycling on Duncan Downs. Three Section 59 notices have been issued and one bike has been seized.

PC Hilton adds: “It is satisfying that we have helped local residents resolve some of the problems aired at the PACT meetings. We gave our mobile telephone numbers so if problems persisted, residents were able to report them directly to their neighbourhood team.”

Work is also underway to provide activities for young people. Streetrunner, a new youth group, has started in the area. Anyone aged between 10 and 18 years of age can attend the group, held at St Andrew’s Church Hall every Thursday evening between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. It offers arts, crafts and fun and cards advertising the club are being distributed in the area.

Canterbury City Council’s Public Safety Unit manager Rey Aziz says: “This is a good example of how the PACT process works and how it can be a success. In the Grimshill area, local residents got involved in the PACT meetings and used them to air their concerns to local agencies. We arranged some multi-agency meetings where we were then able to target resources to address their concerns. We recommend all residents to go and use their PACT meetings to highlight issues in their area in order to improve their quality of life.”

Residents who want to take let Barry and his team know of any local problems in the Grimshill area can attend the next surgery on Monday 28 April between 11am and 12pm at St Andrews church hall, Grimshill Road, Whitstable.

PC Hilton can be contacted on 07980 770625. PCSO Abi Symons can be reached on 07772 225966.

Witness appeal following Canterbury assault

Police have issued the descriptions of three men they want to talk to about the assault of a 22-year-old woman in Canterbury.

The new appeal comes after the woman was attacked as she was walking home along Broad Street, Canterbury, between 10.30pm and 10.45pm on Tuesday 19 February 2008.

The local woman was near to the Archaeological Trust building when she was struck in the face with an object and then sexually assaulted.

Three men were involved. They were all white and aged in their 20s. One was about 6ft tall, fairly slim build but with broad shoulders. He had a pale complexion and a gaunt appearance with sharp bone structure and eyes set back. He was wearing a grey coloured hooded top.

Another of the men is described as 5ft 8ins to 9ins tall, darker skin colour than the first,with a podgier face and having the appearance of droopy or rounded shoulders. He was wearing dark clothing.

The third man was approximately 5’10” tall.

Det Insp Ian Nundy said: “This type of incident is uncommon and this was a busy road on a Tuesday evening so there must have been people around who may have spotted the men or seen what happened. We are keen that any witnesses should contact us, however insignificant they might feel that the information is.”

Kent Police urge anyone who saw the incident or who has any information about the men to contact them as soon as possible.  Witnesses can ring Kent Police on 01303 289600 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously, you don’t have to give your name and you may be eligible for a cash reward.