👮‍♂️ Neighbourhood Policing Update

Good evening, hope your keeping well. 

I'm pleased to share some positive results from recent policing activity in the Penkridge area:

🔹 Drug offences have reduced by 7% over the last 12 months, thanks to targeted enforcement and proactive policing.

🔹 Theft offences, including burglary, have reduced by 10% over the last six months. Officers have successfully identified and charged a number of shoplifters and worked with local businesses to tackle repeat offending.

🔹 Reported anti-social behaviour (ASB) has increased slightly. However, this is not necessarily a negative sign. Increased police visibility and the continued success of Neighbourhood Watch schemes mean more incidents are being reported, allowing us to identify issues, identify offenders, and take appropriate action.

Thank you to everyone who continues to report concerns and support local policing. The information you provide plays a vital role in helping us keep our communities safe.

The two issues most commonly raised with me are drug-related activity and anti-social behaviour involving electric scooters and electric bikes. I hope the figures above provide reassurance that proactive work is taking place to address the issues that matter most to our communities.

Drug-Related Activity

I would also like to highlight some recent proactive work undertaken in the area. Only last week, PCSO Millichap and PC Holmes located a quantity of nitrous oxide canisters, and subsequent enquiries have identified individuals who are currently being dealt with.

Whilst nitrous oxide has historically been perceived by some as a "low-level" substance, it is important that parents and guardians are aware that it is illegal to possess nitrous oxide for recreational use.

Possession can result in criminal sanctions and, where there is evidence of supply, production, or intent to supply, the penalties can be significantly more serious. Nitrous oxide misuse can also pose substantial health risks, including loss of consciousness, neurological damage, and serious injury.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak openly with their children and young people about both the legal consequences and health risks associated with its use.

E-Scooters and E-Bikes

I am aware that e-scooters and e-bikes are seen around the village from time to time, and concerns regarding their use are regularly raised with local officers.

Where riders are identified committing offences, positive action will be taken. However, I would like to stress that this is not a simple issue to resolve. Neighbourhood policing is not simply about enforcement; it is about applying common sense, engaging with our communities, and educating people where appropriate.

Education starts at home, and parents and guardians should ensure they understand the laws and guidance surrounding the use of e-scooters and e-bikes on public roads and highways. By working together with parents, guardians, and young people, we can help ensure everyone understands both the law and the risks associated with inappropriate use.

If you are aware of someone using an e-scooter illegally, or if you have concerns regarding a particular individual, please do not hesitate to contact me in confidence. Information provided by members of the public often helps us identify issues early and take positive action before they escalate.

📌 A Reminder Regarding E-Scooters

• It is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on public roads, pavements, cycle paths, parks, or other public places. Privately owned e-scooters may only be used on private land with the permission of the landowner.

• The exception is where a local authority is participating in an approved Government rental e-scooter trial scheme. In those areas, authorised rental e-scooters may be used on public roads and cycle lanes in accordance with the scheme rules.

• Those found riding illegally may face enforcement action, including fines, penalty points, and seizure of the scooter.

⚠️ Please note: Simply being within a council area does not automatically make e-scooter use legal. The e-scooter must be part of an authorised rental trial scheme. Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use in public places, even within council areas operating a trial.

This work cannot be undertaken without your support and reporting, so thank you for continuing to engage with us and provide information. Together, we can continue to make Penkridge a safer place to live, work, and visit.

Many thanks,

PCSO Phillip Millichap 28983