THE AYCLIFFE BLUE BLOG

Newton Aycliffe NPT Sergeant Mark Edwards continues his weekly blog on Aycliffe Today…

Here we are at the end of a week of glorious weather and I’m sure everyone’s been enjoying it.

Unfortunately however, the sun often clashes with a rise in ASB and drink fuelled disorder, so let’s see what the weekend ahead throws at us!

We have held a couple of access points this week. On Tuesday members of the team were at the unit in the town centre up the ramp on Upper Beveridge Walkway and today (Friday) we have had PCSO’s Richard Scott and Gavin Laycock at Neville Parade Community Centre.

These ‘drop-in’ locations will continue to run as we move further into the year. Watch out for details on our various social forums (Twitter, Facebook etc) and through leaflet drops.

On Saturday the team will be engaged in a variety of community-based activities.

At 2pm the team will be setting up the Community Cinema that PCSO’s Mike Welch and Amy Jorgeson obtained via funding from GAMP at Neville Parade Community Cinema.

The film on show will be Despicable Me, and entry is free so please come along if you fancy an hour or two’s respite from the sun!

There will be an ID4U event between 12.30pm and 3.30pm at the town centre unit – to inform those not in the know, this is a scheme for young people who need proof of identification but don’t wish to risk losing valuable items such as passports or driving licences (or may not have such items!).

ID4U is recognised by many retailers which will help the more younger looking of people when purchasing certain products. If anyone has any queries in relation to this scheme please contact Richard SCOTT who is our leading ID4U expert.

We have had a couple of despicable crimes reported to ourselves this past week.

Some flower-shaped solar powered lights were stolen from a grave plot at West Cemetery sometime between Sunday 25th March and Wednesday 28th.

Also, around this time, a series of dragonfly-shaped lights which illuminate varied colours were also stolen from another plot.

At the risk of insulting the more criminally minded out there – these people are scum.

The team feel strongly about these incidents and will be putting measures in place. If you are responsible and are identified then we WILL come for you.

On the subject of crime, a couple of weeks ago I first mentioned our new practice of naming alleged offenders – that is to say, those people who have been charged with certain criminal offences.

It’s been quite interesting to see how this initiative has been received.

We in the Police are in the unenviable position in that we are held to account for crime and ASB in the communities we serve (which is how it should be I must add) so how do we let you know what we are doing to address these things and to try and raise reassurance across the town.

I would far rather ruffle the feathers of a few people who throw the human rights act at us than allow these people the privilege of anonymity thereby giving them the freedom (should they wish to do so) to commit further offences.

This isn’t us acting as judge and jury as some criticism has made comment to – we are simply stating that these individuals have been charged with offences. It is up to the courts to determine guilt and pass sentence.

So, that said – what’s the latest in the town…

Kelly Marie Ward, 23, was charged with the theft of a pedal cycle which had been stolen whilst left unattended outside of a shop premises.

Can I again remind all bike owners the importance of thinking twice before leaving bikes unsecured outside of premises – even for a matter of seconds!

So, finally, for now, enjoy the sun, drink sensibly, take care and…

Be good!

Mark J. Edwards
Newton Aycliffe NPT Sergeant

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