January’s full Ward Police Tasking meeting took place at Lakey Lane Primary School yesterday evening (Wednesday 5th Jan). It was a well attended meeting, despite the rain and wind. The police officers in attendance were Sgt Dave Mirams, PC Matt Dartnell and PCSO Hayley Tierney.

Once again Sgt Mirams had good news to report on crime figures – there was a big effort to reduce burglary over Christmas after a rise last year and so far it has been rewarded by a 73% fall from December 2010 to December 2011. Total crime in Acocks Green year on year is – as of yesterday – down 28%; a very substantial fall, which seems to be accelerating. Lloyd House gave us lower figures of a 9.4% fall, as their latest analysed figure, and we have used this on our current newsletter, but if the current trend is maintained, it seems there will soon be even better figures to report.

Discussion at the meeting included concern about scrap metal theft, which continues to be a problem in the area, with roof lead and other metal from public open spaces being particularly vulnerable.

The Proceeds of Crime Act vote was discussed, with another plea to vote for the Acocks Green project at Fox Hollies Forum. This is currently coming second but I have concerns that the project currently in the lead has benefitted from automatic voting as it secured around a thousand votes (nearly half its total) votes between 2.30pm and 4.22pm on 20th December alone. Sgt Mirams has agreed to look into this.

This was Sgt Mirams’ last Acocks Green Tasking meeting before he moves on to his new posting. The next meeting (on Monday 13th February at the Scout Hut on Spring Road at 7pm) will be hosted by our new Sgt, Mark Fellows. Sgt Mirams confirmed that this will be the only staffing change amongst the Acocks Green Neighbourhood Policing team, which is great news as its clear from the falling crime figures that they are doing a very good job for our community.