Road checks, tackling antisocial behaviour and drug dealing and crime prevention advice have been undertaken in Thanet by neighbourhood policing teams.
Between January 17-23, officers and PCSOs from the district’s Community Safety Unit worked with Special Constabulary, other teams within Kent Police and partner agencies to carry out a range of activities as part of Neighbourhood Policing Week which celebrates the vital work of those who work to keep neighbourhoods safe.
More than 20 people were stopped in road safety checks in Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, with 13 people reported for traffic offences including one person caught travelling at 58mph on a 30mph zone.
Officers took to the streets of Margate and Ramsgate to deter anti-social behaviour and target suspected drug dealers. People were also given the opportunity to complete surveys about anti-social behaviour in the district, which will be used to help plan measures to tackle any areas of concern.
Crime prevention PCSOs were joined by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) officers for house-to-house visits to advise residents on home and personal safety equipment.
The force chaplain for Thanet also came out on patrol with the officers from the Community Policing Team, while PCSOs and the town centre officers could be found in their specific wards meeting and engaging with people.
The knife bins in the district were emptied, resulting in more than 80 knives seized. Officers also carried out searches of parks and green areas to check for any further weapons which might have been hidden in the undergrowth.
Shoppers at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre met officers and police staff to learn more about the work done by the force.
In the evenings, patrols were carried out in popular night-time areas in each of the town centres to remind people to socialise responsibly. Licensees were also visited to ensure they were adhering to their responsibilities.
Inspector Ian Swallow of Thanet Community Safety Unit said: “The week gave just a small insight into some of the proactive work police regularly do to support communities in the district.
“Whether it is carrying out traffic checks, promoting crime prevention, tackling anti-social behaviour, detecting drug-related crime or simply going out on the beat to provide that friendly face of reassurance, officers and PCSOs work hard to keep Thanet safe.
“Neighbourhood policing is at the very heart of Kent Police, and I am proud to have such a dedicated team committed to that.”
It amazes me, when you report a crime, they are never interested, they do so little these days, that when they do actually do something on the odd occasion, they have to publish it, and let everyone know they have completed some work.
“Neighbourhood policing week “ sums it all up. One week a year the police are clearly visible doing what they are paid for, it’s just a shame that they disappear for the remaining 51 weeks of the year. No wonder the feral kids and criminals continue their anti social behaviour and commit crime with little fear of the law.
Ramping up the PR before they impose another inflation busting Council Tax element rise shortly.
If they’re going to set up a stall to meet the public then they should do it in somewhere like Cliftonville or Ramsgate. Westwood Cross is the easy rather than the most effective option. Where next, Monkton?
Well, well, well. The public bodies in our society certainly know how to waste
resources. Who knew!
Public Bodies = Police, Local government, NHS and the Westminster Circus.
plastic policeman with no more powers than i have – that will change things !
Why are they standing around blowing their own trumpets? We need action on Antisocial and hate crimes locally but they choose to ignore phone calls and emails. What is the point in these officers if they can’t do the jobs they get paid for? They don’t turn up to 999 or 101 calls and do not even bother to contact you. A complete waste of money.
You might be shocked to hear this but in the last few years almost everyone in our street has been under continuous fire by the occupants of one house with their hate and antisocial behaviour towards everyone since they moved in. The street asked for a meeting with police which was refused. They just don’t want to do anything, not even go and talk to the culprits. Crime commissioner, MP’s and Councillors all do nothing other than pass the buck. The Thanet Policing Teams and Partnership will not talk. The lack of will or effort is astonishing in Thanet. What happened to those officers who stood no messing about? What happened to Zero Tolerance? No wonder crime is rising.
Hi Margate Resident.
A few years ago, I found a card skimming device on the ATM at Westwood Asda, I managed to remove it, and took it to the police station.
Two days later, I found another device, exactly the same, on the same ATM, removed it, took it to police station, they weren’t interested. It was a kind of atmosphere, as if why have you brought this to us, you are just creating more work.
Don’t worry, the whole system on the ATM has now changed, so it’s quite safe.
Ask Boris.
It was his government that got rid of 220000 police officers, and disastrously outsourced key services such as Probation.
With the best will in the world, police officers can’t attend if there are none.
That should read “22000”. But hey! What’s a zero here and there?
Forgive me, but am I alone wondering why bins are put out to collect knives? Anyone wanting to carry a knife won’t bother chucking their knife into a bin, and in any case the can just go and buy one! I saw the best solution to knife crime not long ago, make all knives pointless! That is, why do knives need to have a point? I have several kitchen knives with pointe, but can’t remember ever having to use the point of any of them. Pointless knives would be useless for stabbing, Duurh!
Wouldn’t take much effort to put a point on one. I could probably do it in my garage in 10 minutes.
Dumpton, from what I understand these knife bins, are a kind of metal container, in which anyone can place a knife (weapon amnesty) or other weapon into. They are usually placed at strategy locations, there was previously one at the top of Margate High Street.
As for knives with no point, a great idea, but the government already refused the idea.