Police step up patrols in Pinehurst (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Police step up patrols in Pinehurst

8:58am Thursday 31st January 2008 in Swindon By Emily Walker

EXTRA police officers are patrolling Pinehurst after two houses were torched in a spate of crime in the neighbourhood.

More officers will be out on the beat in the evenings to make sure crime and anti-social behaviour hot spots are kept in check.

Sgt Andrew Carr, who is in charge of the north Swindon neighbourhood policing teams, said: "We are currently stepping up evening patrols by using community support officers and police officers."

Extra measures, including plans for a dispersal order, and proposals to close dark alleyways, have been brought in to deal with the gangs of youths Pinehurst residents said were running riot on the estate.

In the latest in a series of incidents, two unoccupied houses in Beech Avenue went up in flames on Friday, leaving residents nearby fearing for their lives.

"There are some specific peak times, in the evenings and at weekends especially, when there is more crime and anti-social behaviour, so we are responding to that," said Sgt Carr.

"There are issues with a group of people in the area and it is that group of people we are targeting.

"It is a difficult problem to manage because Pinehurst is an area with a lot of families and young people.

"It is not people coming into Pinehurst from outside that cause the trouble.

"People understandably can be reluctant to come forward with information about other people in their community or their neighbours, which is why we urge people to take advantage of the anonymous Crimestoppers service in these situations.

"We are obviously still appealing for witnesses to the fire. One person, an 18-year-old, has been arrested and released on bail, but we don't think he was on his own."

Sgt Carr said the police were also working with other agencies to tackle nuisance crime and anti-social behaviour in Pinehurst.

"We have applied for a dispersal order for parts of Pinehurst, together with Swindon Council's anti-social behaviour team," he said.

"We are working to close some of the alleys that are not used anymore and have become crime hot spots. We are trying to work together with youth services and education to make sure there are enough things to keep young people engaged and occupied without causing trouble for other residents."

Anyone with information can call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, confidentially, on 0800 555 111.