It would be good to see a Police Officer in High Town during the day

[Ubique]

Roger , that link you supplied tells a story , the link shows a photograph of one Inspector , one Sgt , two PC's , the remainder if the policing team are PCSO,'s or Specials ( that's an old fashion name ) they apparently cover a very large urban and rural area - not boding well for the future when , I presume more cuts need to be made for financial reasons.

[Ubique]

 

Early in this Post it was suggested that I emailed Insp Nick SEMPER to ask for a meeting . Insp SEMPER agreed to meet me at the Police Station , that meeting has now taken place and true to my word I have published a summary of the meeting on HV.

 

I feel that that before you read the summary I should give you my opinion of Insp SEMPER - he has been critised and in my humble opinion verbally abused by some posters, probably who have not even met him. I formed the impression that the Inspector is a very hard working Officer who cares for this City and it's residents. He is not a "flyer" but had worked his way up the promotion ladder the hard way . I came away thinking that this Officer joined the Police for the right reasons and is a dedicated Officer - I liked him .

 

This is a summary of what he told me , hope that I have answered the questions asked - if not I will be happy to re contact the Inspection for the answers.

 

Op Castlemain is a multi-partnership operation, termed as Op Clean Sheet by the Street Pastors and the Herefordshire Churches.

We recognise that there are a small minority of rough sleepers/street drinkers who cause a disproportionate amount of satisfaction and confidence issues around the City.

As a result of repeated calls of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour from the public AND respected community groups such as IOC and Friends of College Green, the Police mounted this Operation to address those concerns. The plan was 'informed' by the data and intelligence marshalled by the ASB Reduction and Licensing Team, with the Licensing Manager - Mr James MOONEY - leading this strand of work.

Within the City, 'iconic' locations have been identified where ASB causes a disproportionate level of public concern. An example would be the Cathedral.

Further to that, a list of 'secondary' locations were identified where ASB causes a significant impact on levels of public satisfaction. An example would be St Peter's Square.

It should be noted that several secondary sites have two contributory features close at hand. 1. Free food provision and 2. Easy access to single sales of super-strength beers.

This was not done on instinct, but using the call data from members of the public contacting the police to express their ASB concerns.

All these locations fall with a patrol plan and policing activities, run on a day to day basis by Police Sergeant Duncan REYNOLDS, the City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant.

Next, a list was prepared of those who perpetrate alcohol-related ASB. There are currently five persons on the 'primary' list and seven on the 'secondary' list. The purpose of this list is that finite police resources are focussed on preventing and deterring ASB, and co-ordinating Policing activity to ensure that a firm, fair and consistent approach is taken in bringing those to justive those perpetrators who will not adjust their AS behaving. These individuals have been engaged with (policing term) and know that they will be subject of Op Castlemain, if they perpetrate ASB.

All statutory partners eg Herefordshire Council and non-statutory partners eg Street Pastors have been consulted, and are indeed actively supporting this initiative in their preventative activities. The Community Safety Partnership, Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination Group and the Mayor of Hereford all actively support the initiative.

The Churches who provide free food to the homeless and/or deprived are acutely aware that their target audience can present 'challenges', and are working closely with the Police to minimise or mitigate those issues. The Licensed Trade - particularly the Off Licenses, Convenience Stores and Multi-Nationals - have been very helpful in taking super-strength beers off sale voluntarily, only one premises being subject of early regulatory intervention due to the ASB present in the vicinty to that same premises. NB Super strength beers are defined as being in excess of 6.5% ABV. One can contains perhaps 4 units of alcohol, and we are all aware of what the recommended maximum daily consumption is for an adult. Single sales refer to the single sale of a can. Large flagons of cheap strong white lagers are also 'discouraged'. You will be relieved to hear that craft and specialist beers are excluded from this broad definition.

So far, from the almost daily interventions, the City is reporting a much improved situation with letters, appreciation calls and community feedback being received regularly. Begging has addressed and consequently has reduced greatly, and the public are encouraged not to give cash to any person who asks for it, in case it be used to access further alcohol or perhaps even controlled drugs.

The initiative, whose name was allocated randomly by computer as with all operational names within the Police and Military, was commissioned and commenced in June and will run until mid-September. It was entirely coincidental that the word 'Castlemain' was so generated, being also the name of a low strength lager that has been unavailable in the UK since 1996.

Most persons contained within the 'primary' and secondary' lists have significantly curtailed their ASB behaviours, with every member of the primary list now being subject of ASBO/CRASBO interventions. One individual has been particularly challenging, and has been arrested to date on 18 occasions (sadly) and placed before the Magistrates regularly. Another has received a custodial sentence. Further comment is not possible as several matters are ongoing and/or subjudice.

You asked, on behalf of one subscriber, whether the Breach of the Peace powers (and others) have been considered. We confirm that every statute applicable to the City Centre is and has been considered and indeed is used as appropriate in consultation with the CPS and the Council Legal Department. However Breach of the Peace is not used often, due to the efficacy and efficiency of subsequent legislation, such as ASBOs, CRASBOs, DPPOs, Penalty Notices for Disorder and s27 Dispersal Notices.

Another query concerned how the City is divided into 'Beats' when compared with those of many years ago. Precise details of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams are available on the Force Website. However it is noted that the 'austerity measures' have caused a diminution of Policing resources - hence Inspector SEMPER is completely focussed on ensuring that his staff are focused on RISK i.e. who causes the most risk, who is most at risk and where exactly does that risk lie?

Lastly, Inspector SEMPER is pleased that this initative has attracted so much attention, and is grateful to the readers of the Hereford Voice for their continued interest.

[dippyhippy]

What a brilliant précis of your meeting, Ubique.....thanks so much. It sounds to me that Our Inspector Semper has his head screwed on, and talks a lot of sense!

 

Well done for keeping us informed, and thanks to both you and the Inspector for taking the time to discuss these issues on behalf of Hereford Voice members.

 

A big gold star to you both!

[bobby47]

I take your point old friend. Mind, it ain't some. It is just me. Only me. Take care my good and old friend.

[Roger]

Ubique ... Thank you for taking the time to type that out! A good summary! All the people you name are decent people who are trying to do their best with whatever budget is available ... 

 

I will take issue tho with the operation name ... The computer throws up 'Castlemain' as the next name for a job ... Which happens to be about hitting the boozy people  ... Did no one twig it was slightly not the best name ever? Surely this computer can have a button pressed to get another random name? That was less of a source of mirth? 

 

As regards the booze itself that Super Strength lager is really unpleasant to drink ... I tried it once years ago and it is really awful ... Special Brew or Tennants ... 9% stuff ... You can fit 4 booze units into a 440ml can but not a 500ml can ... 

 

I don't think many people will moan about restricting the sales as described ... 

[Ubique]

Mrs Ubique is the typist - I just kept her glass topped up !