Criminal Damage Clampdown in Sprowston Residential Area a Success

Monday, 24 May 2010 11:01

Twelve people have been arrested after police pledged to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the Sprowston area.

Officers from the Sprowston and Spixworth Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) stepped up their patrols and targeted known offenders as part of the neighbourhood priority, set three months ago.

Residents asked the team to specifically target anti-social behaviour at Sprowston Recreation Ground and criminal damage to surrounding properties which resulted in:

• 130 hours of high visibility patrols being carried out on foot and by car.
• A section 59 warning being issued to a moped which was being driven erratically - which could result in police seizing his bike if caught riding anti-socially a second time in the next 12 months.
• Cannabis warnings and fixed penalty tickets issued.
• Alcohol being seized from underage drinkers.

Sprowston and Spixworth Sergeant Peter Scott said: “We have carried out a lot of work to deal with some of the issues raised by residents, which we are determined to put a stop to.

“We have pledged to continue our work to prevent further incidents and will use all means at our disposal. Criminal damage is an offence which not only affects individuals but also the wider community.

“The SNT is committed to working with our partners and members of the community to find solutions to long term issues in the area. If you witness any incidents please call us with as many details as possible, times, locations and descriptions, so we can take swift action”.

Along with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage at Sprowston Recreation Ground, residents asked the team to pay attention to inconsiderate parking at the local schools and anti-social behaviour at Sparhawk Park, where older teens are misusing the play equipment, at the priority setting meeting held on Monday evening, 17 May.

Updates from previous priorities:

Inconsiderate parking at local schools, during dropping off and collection times for pupils, in particular White Woman Lane, Lodge Lane and Cannerby Lane.

Extra patrols have been carried out at dropping off and collection times. Any vehicle seen parking inconsiderately has been asked to move on or given a £30 fine. In total 7 fines were issued by officers from the Special Constabulary. Parents at the schools have been notified of the enforcement being carried out and made aware of the dangers of inconsiderate parking. Traffic wardens have suggested double yellow lines are painted along Lodge Lane/St William Way, restricting parking. The request has been forwarded to HighWays.

Overweight HGV's using Spixworth Road and Crostwick Lane as a short cut to other areas.

Officers have monitored the situation and traffic officers have reported that there are no signs along Crostwick Lane with Buxton Road. Highways have been contacted regarding this.

Local residents have been asked to note down details of offending vehicles and forward to police to follow up and make contact with the transport manager. Since adopting the priority there have been no complaints from residents and no vehicles contravening the restrictions. Subsequently the priority status was no longer needed.

If you have any neighbourhood issues affecting your quality of live or community contact your local SNT on 0845 456 4567 or visit their neighbourhood page at www.norfolk.police.uk.