Church Street

The Church Street Safer Neighbourhoods Panel has met quarterly for over ten years. Two of our ward police officers attend and give a presentation, as does the local WCC Neighbourhood Coordinator. Regular attenders are: a local Councillor. the local WCC Housing Manager, Chairs of Resident Associations, Representatives of local businesses (including Antiquaires / Galleries), WAES, Representatives of local community groups (Mosaic Community Trust, etc) and concerned residents: the Minute-taker is also a resident. One constant particular Agenda item "Round the Table" enables everyone present to voice his/her particular concerns. The three requisite police priorities for the following quarter period of duty are chosen: No.1 by the ward officers and Nos 2 and 3, after a discussion, by the general meeting. Attendance is never less than 20 plus the ward police officers.

Increasing  anti-social youth behaviour plus drug dealing , particularly during night hours, are main problems, as well as speeding vehicles throughout  the day, and a long term regeneration scheme, already in progress within sections of the ward causes disruption.. A hundred-year old street market bisects the ward and there is pickpocketing on Saturdays. There is also very occasional violent fighting with weapons. Concerns expressed at Panel meetings have been taken up, both by our ward officers and the Neighbourhood Coordinator, with positive results on several occasions.