What We've Done - April 2010 Update

You said: You wanted us to work more closely with local schools and provide a presence before and after school.

We did: We continue to work closely with all schools and the local college on a regular basis. PCSO Rachael McKevitt holds regular meetings with the headteachers of both Queens Park High School and Catholic High School. PCSO McKevitt has also been providing a presence outside schools due to reports of anti-social behaviour after school by shop owners and to help identify youths who are excluded but are hanging around the school during the day.

You said: You were experiencing problems with young people smoking cannabis in the alleyway off Eaton Mews.

We did: We have patrolled the area at the relevant times stated by local residents. A number of youths have been stop checked in the area and no evidence of drug activity has been found. Evidence of drug use, which had been present, has also decreased. PCSO McKevitt is hoping the increased police presence has had a positive effect.

You said: There a problems with late night drinking in the grounds of Overleigh St Mary's Church. Empty bottles of beer and vodka have been left in the area.

We did: PCSO McKevitt has patrolled the area on late shifts and has been unable to locate any offenders. I will continue to patrol the area on a regular basis. There has been no more evidence found since the issue was reported to police.

You said: We are experiencing problems with parking in Overleigh Road, Pyecroft Street and parking bays outside the local shops.

We did: This problem is believed to be due an increased visibility of traffic wardens in Greenway Street. PCSO McKevitt has made contact with the parking team leader at Cheshire West and Chester Council, requesting patrols to areas where residents have raised the most concerns.

We have also been patrolling the area to ensure the traffic wardens' presence is having an effect. We are currently working on building a closer relationship with the council to enable us to provide the public with a detailed update of results. If anyone is experiencing problems with parking they can call Cheshire West and Chester Council on 0300 123 7024.

Engaging With the Community

PCSO McKevitt has been attending St Mary's Church and St Andrew's Church weekly lunch club as this allows her to introduce herself to the elderly community. This has been really positive and she has been welcomed by all residents.

She said: "The elderly community make up a high percentage of my area and I believe it is important they know who there local officers are."

PCSO McKevitt will be arranging to attend Abbey Field House to speak to residents about their concerns. This meeting will be confirmed shortly.She is also trying to arrange a monthly drop-in surgery at West Cheshire College. The exact times and dates will be confirmed shortly.

Crime in Handbridge

We are heading towards the first quarter of 2010 and we are already seeing a decrease in crime for Handbridge and St Marys.

There has been a restructure of the Chester Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team to allow us to be more fluid in our movement in deploying the appropriate patrols to the needed areas. We believe this restructure will allow us to be more pro active within our communities.

PC Ian Harding has taken on the role of Beat Manager for Handbridge and St Mary's and will be working alongside PCSO McKevitt to ensure all victims of crime are provided with support and reassurance.

What we've done - February 2010 update

You said: You wanted us to concentrate on house burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles around the Handbridge and Queens Park Area.

We Did: We will be continuing with Operation Imp throughout February. Officers will be carrying out a number of high visibility patrols around the area, as well as handing out security advice and checking the security of houses and vehicles. Officers will also be playing the role of a burglar by walking up driveways and trying car doors. If doors are open, officers will knock on residents' doors and inform them that if the officer had been a real burglar they would have been a victim of crime. This is a highly impactive strategy aiming to raise awareness of security to prevent residents becoming the victim of opportunist crime.

Cheshire Police has made a burglary prevention video giving some basic tips on avoiding becoming a victim of burglary. You can view the video and get other advice, on our Crime Prevention page.

What we've done - January 2010 update

PCSO Rachael Mckevitt will be starting a new surgery which will be held in company with Councillor Razia Daniels. The dates of these events are shown in the "Events and meetings" section.