Whiteshill: Car on fire and local crime priorities

Last week many will know there was a car on fire in Whiteshill playing fields - it was videoed by a local resident who also caught the shop fire on video - here is what they wrote about the car...

Photo: Dusk near Westrip

"Yet again we have been awoken by youths in the village car park this time stuck in the mud .....setting fire to a car...fire engines getting stuck in the mud!!!!! We lost 3 hours sleep last night but at least that's one less car on the road!!!!!!"

I also have just heard back from the recent local Neighbourhood Panel Meeting for Stroud Urban area. The current three Urban Priorities that had been set at the last meeting:

1. Anti-Social Behaviour – Park/Bank Gardens Stroud
2. Criminal Damage – Park/Bank Gardens Stroud
3. Speeding – Nouncells Cross and Whiteshill

Infact Bank Gardens and Park Gardens have shown a dramatic decrease in crimes and incidents being reported. A further 6 people have been caught and fined for speeding in the areas set as the priorities. In regards to the Whiteshill area it was noted that National Express coaches had been stopped by Police from using Whiteshill as an alternative route and this had resolved part of the problem reported. Again Speed checks had also been carried out - there are still plans for flashing signs.

The group also had a discussion about new priorities - this included concern re Nouncells Cross and also concerns re youths congregating around the Spar shop at Cashes Green and surrounding roads and alleyways. Some residents feel that youths are intimidating the elderly and additional patrols are needed in the area - unfortunately the Spar shop had failed on tests re selling alcohol to people underage. Another Test Purchase Operation is planned for the near future.

There is also a Mosquito at Cashes Green - some wondered if it was working - the responsibility of switching it on lays with the owner of the Spar shop - I am personally against the use of Mosquitos - see my comments here. Discussions also included concerns like problems at Whiteshill with the car park and playing field being main concerns for
Anti-Social use of motor vehicles during evenings and weekends. Indeed cars have also been damaged many times in the car park.

The decision on 3 priorities for agencies to address were agreed. Anti-Social Behaviour in Park and Bank Gardens had decreased significantly and this priority could be replaced. Due to the concerns of Anti-Social Behaviour in Queens Drive and the surrounding area of Cashes Green it was decided that this would be the first new priority. It was decided that high visibility patrols would be increased in the area and the council would look into the litter problem with perhaps providing more bins etc and the Neighbourhood Warden SM would also be involved with patrolling the areas.

With the high concerns of Nouncells Cross and the Anti-Social Behaviour increasing it was decided that it would become the second priority extending to the top of town with an increase in patrols in the area. This was agreed.

Speeding was a main concern for many areas and after a short discussion to specify which areas would be covered it was decided that Speeding in Bisley Old Road, Whiteshill, Folly Lane, Lansdown Road and Westward Road would be the main areas of patrol for the third and final priority.

One issue I put forward is that we need to renew our Neighbourhood Watch schemes - many new residents have moved in and some of the schemes could do with more new blood - although my own view is that they should act more like Neighbourhood Care schemes that look out more for the less able or more vulnerable in our communities.....