Policing & Neighbourhood Watch
Local policing and PACT
PACTs provide the recognised conduit between the Police and residents to identify issues of concern and to prioritise police activities relevant to local issues.
Until 2008, police involvement with local issues was through Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and Local Action Teams. The latter also being a forum for local issues relating to social concerns including traffic and antisocial behaviour. Following a police initiative to improve community relationships through their ‘Safer Stronger Neighbourhood’ campaign Neighbourhood Watch and Local Action Teams were amalgamated to form a combined point of contact with the police. PACTs (Partners & Communities Together) were formed as a result of this initiative.
You can see the PACT constitution here, and the latest chairman's annual report here.
The Yatton PACT meets on a regular basis at Horsecastle Chapel, Horsecastle Farm Road, Yatton, with representatives from the police and local organisations including:
Parish Councillors
North Somerset Councillors
Youth Groups
Religious organisations
Neighbourhood Watch coordinators
Speedwatch representatives
Yeo Valley Lions
The meetings are open to all residents who are encouraged to bring their concerns on crime and disorder to the meetings.
The dates, times and venue of meetings are given in the Parish Diary and details of meetings including agendas can be obtained from the secretary. Minutes of the latest meeting can be seen here and minutes of the area mega-PACT can be seen here.
PACT meetings identify police priorities for the Yatton Parish and these are given on the police web site here. Issues identified as police priorities receive preferential response for police intervention.
Area PACTs covering beat area JC 208 are convened twice a year to include the Neighbourhood Watch and Local Action Teams in Yatton, Claverham, Cleeve, Kingston Seymour and Kenn. These ‘Mega’ PACTs are held to enable a two-way flow of information between residents, local organisations and the local police team on policing issues and priorities identified through the local PACTs. These meetings also cover social issues and speakers from relevant organisations are invited to present their activities.
Calling notices for Mega PACTs are issued through the police ringmaster system, Parish offices and local advertising.
The Yatton Parish PACT committee elected at the 2010 AGM:
Chair: David Ford MBE
Vice Chair: Bob Pountney
Treasurer: Tom Edmondson
Secretary: Rhiannon Prys-Owen Telephone: 01934 876632
Yatton Neighbourhood Watch
Area Co-ordinator: David Ford MBE, Tel / Fax 01934 830255, E-mail: d.ford@daf-associates.co.uk
Neighbourhood Watch schemes are run by street co-ordinators who keep their membership aware of issues reported to them by the Neighbourhood Watch PCSO.
These issues relate to local policing issues that could affect the community and to ask for help in identifying suspicious vehicles or persons.
Street co-ordinators have the option to hold residents meetings in their neighbourhood to discuss issues of concern with their beat manager.
Currently there are 32 street co-ordinators covering 590 properties in Yatton. Not all residences within a street are members of a scheme but the following list includes those roads which have a street co-ordinator.
|
Avalon Close Beech Road Bramblewood Cadbury Farm Road Court Avenue Durban Way Elm Close Grace Close |
Gregory Mead Heathgate Henley Lodge Henley Park Horsecastle Farm Road Kenn Moor Road Lodge Close Macquarie Farm |
Meadowland Mendip Road Moorside North End Road Southview Terrace Stowey Park Stowey Road Wemberham Lane Westaway Close |
Members of the scheme are kept aware of local crime and disorder issues through e-mail and telephone alerts, quarterly newsletters and twice yearly meetings with the Neighbourhood police service. Members can also access the police web site for information on local policing issues, and click on Nailsea neighbourhood area.
Neighbourhood Watch area meetings are held every 6 months with the local beat manager and senior police officers from North Somerset. These meetings are held with other PACT activities and include representatives from local organisations and community representatives.
For more information on Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the Yatton area please contact the area co-ordinator.