After an extended break, Aycliffe Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Edwards brings us his latest blog from the beat…
Well here we are – 2016. A new year bringing with it new challenges (or just old ones enhanced a little!).
I’m conscious that it’s been some time since I did my last blog for Aycliffe Today so I must apologise to those left dangling by my virtual absence.
The Neighbourhood Policing Team continue to fight the good fight as always, but since my last post there have been a number of staff changes.
Many of you know (or knew) PC Alan Thompson – one of Newton Aycliffe’s longest-serving ‘beat bobbies’ who stomped the beat on Neville and Simpasture with determination and commitment in his stride. Alan embraced retirement at the end of November 2015 and has sailed off into the sunset taking his memories with him leaving the NPT with a big hole. Alan was an integral component of the Team dynamic and what he didn’t know about community engagement probably wasn’t worth knowing in the first place. I wish him all the best for the future and would like to acknowledge what a pleasure it has been working with him over the past five years or so.
Alan Thompson – popular Aycliffe bobby who retired last year.
PCSO’s Michael Hutchinson and Richard Scott left the NPT during the latter months of 2015 to take up their dream roles as fully warranted Police Constables – likewise, their departure has been felt. In their place we have welcomed into our midst PCSO’s Steven Gill and Michael Crawford who some of you may have met via PACT forums or other general community interactions. Steven looks after West Ward with old stalwart (Pc) Mike Welch whereas Michael Crawford has taken over on Neville and Simpasture after acquiring some first rate tutorship and guidance from Alan before he left.
PCSO Steven Gill – a new addition to the Aycliffe team.
PC Simon Schofield hit the ground running when he joined the NPT in August time bringing with him a wealth of experience from his many years looking after Crook (very appropriate).
As we – the Police that is – continue to deal with the reality of austerity measures (I’m not going all political here by the way) the Team have been looking at ways in which we can continue to engage with the public but in a more beneficial manner.
We host a number of PACT forums monthly across the town – some of these are very well attended with a healthy mix of attendance from local residents, councillors, and partner agency representatives, however some meetings have poor attendance levels (sometimes as little as two or three members of the public).
A lot of planning and preparation goes into these meetings and I’m sure most will agree that – as demand rises in its various forms, the local Police could be focusing that time and energy elsewhere where it will be of greater benefit.
Now that’s not saying that those PACT meetings should go – it’s me saying that we need collectively to be smarter at how we engage with each other. Some ideas could see us merging two such events where individual attendance is usually low, or linking in with already established events (such as residents meetings) where many attend, or reducing the frequency where PACT takes place (instead of monthly, for example, we go to bi-monthly).
This was first mooted in a Facebook post put on by the NPT on their own page in November 2015 – unfortunately it seems that the message was misinterpreted with many believing we wished to withdraw from community engagement and get rid of PACT.
This is not the case and you have my personal assurance that we value the process, that we value – and pride ourselves on, community engagement, and that all I – and the local Police, wish to do is refine, develop and maximise existing processes.
On a darker note (yep, this is the business side of things!) there was a very unpleasant incident that occurred in the Oakfield area of the town on Sunday evening (10th January) at around 7.45pm when one of our response officers, whilst attending an unrelated matter at McColls, was assaulted by a male close to that location, who firstly subjected her to verbal abuse, exposed his rear, before spitting at her (that’s right…I said her).
As a result the officer in question is currently receiving medical treatment at hospital.
A 25-year-old local male was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and is at time of writing in custody.
Taking away the fact that this involved a Police Officer – this assault was an unprovoked despicable cowardly act committed by an individual of similar description.
We are appealing for anyone who has any information, or who witnessed the incident to come forward – privately if desired (treat in confidence), and help us advance the investigation.
The Team continues to be active on Facebook – check us out by searching for Newton Aycliffe Police.
All I would say is that the site is not monitored 24/7 and we have a small number of site administrators who maintain it therefore there will be times when you won’t get an instant response to a private message or general query – it may also be due to ongoing operational matters.
And that’s the first Aycliffe Blue blog of 2016.
Until the next one,
Be good!
Mark J Edwards
Aycliffe Neighbourhood Inspector