Goudhurst and Kilndown Parish Council

GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Local Government for Goudhurst and Kilndown

POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Report to Goudhurst Parish Council 14 June 2010

Cranbrook Police have been carrying out a number of speed checks in neighbouring parishes using the Restorative Justice technique on the spot. Sgt. Masters, i/c Cranbrook Police, is keen to bring this system to Goudhurst. Cllr Rolington attended one of the speed checks recently and compiled the following report. GPC is asked to decide if such a system should be used in Goudhurst.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
03.06.10

Restorative Justice and Speeding Operation
Angley Road Cranbrook 2nd June 2010

I had the opportunity as Editor of West Kent Watch, and therefore a member of the ‘Press’, to observe at first hand the above operation carried out by West Kent Police with the assistance of Kent Fire & Rescue Service and two members of Cranbrook Parish Council.

The idea was to monitor motorist’s speed along Angley Road and any infringers of the speed limit (40 mph) were pulled over into the car park of Angley school, which is on half-term break at the moment.

Motorists who were recorded speeding above 40 but below 50 were given the option of either a fixed penalty fine (with 3 points on their licence) or to receive the Restorative Justice (RJ) procedure. Those motorists travelling above 50 were not given the option, but received a ticket. I believe that motorists caught above 60 are dealt with via court.

Restorative Justice

The RJ procedure involves being ‘talked to’ by a police officer for about 7 to 8 minutes about stopping distances and the consequences (financial and otherwise) of speed.

The motorist is then handed over to a Parish Councillor who puts the communities view over for about 3 to 4 minutes. The Councillor I spoke to had been given some advice as to what to say by the Sergeant but after a few interviews had got his own patter and was comfortable. There had been no discussion within Cranbrook Parish Council regarding the suitability of Councillors attending; they had felt it was just ‘the right thing to do’.

The final part is an interview with an officer from Kent Fire & Rescue. I’m not sure how long this part was, but I guess about 5 minutes. Again, I spoke to the officer and he said that he deals with the issue of speeding from a fireman’s perspective; cutting people (deceased or otherwise) from vehicles and the collateral damage to families and friends. He was one of a new breed who rides around on super bikes engaging with (mainly) other bikers giving road safety advice.

Conclusion

During the operation this morning twenty motorists were pulled over, five, who were travelling over 50mph, were issued tickets and fifteen opted for the RJ approach. All who were eligible for RJ took it; I understand that this is not always the case. I also understand that there were no real issues and the procedure was well received from the motorists; one even turned around and ‘gave himself in’ as he knew he had been speeding but the police were dealing with another at the time – he received the RJ treatment.

Talking to Sgt Masters and PC Tim Moody we believe that the only site available for this procedure in Goudhurst would be Cranbrook Road, using the school car park for the vehicles, but we may be in the queue after Horsmonden.

Cllr Peter Rolington
2nd June 2010

POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Report for Goudhurst Parish Council Meeting of 9th November 2009

Restorative Justice - A Hearing of this new approach to justice was held in West Kent for the first time. It took place in the Jessel Room, Goudhurst, to hear the case of a local youth who had caused criminal damage to property of the Parish Council. GPC was invited to take part as the “injured party” and Cllrs Mrs Stafford and Rolington attended. The Hearing was conducted by Sgt Ray Masters of Cranbrook Police Station and attended by PCSO Laura Carey, the perpetrator and his mother. A restorative approach puts the victim’s needs at the centre of the criminal justice system and encourages offenders to face up to their actions. The approach provides the opportunity for those directly affected by an offence – victim, offender and members of the community – to communicate and agree how to deal with the offence and its consequences. It does not result in a criminal record. In this case, the offender apologised and it was agreed he would spend half a day clearing the Burial Grounds under GPC supervision. This was carried out on 24th October with the offender cooperating in a session of very hard work. Following on from the Hearing, GPC became aware of the keen interest of the offender and a group of fourteen or so adult teenagers in football. We have arranged for PCSO Laura Carey and a representative of this unofficial team to meet with the Secretary of Goudhurst Football Club.

Bray’s Alley, Goudhurst - Cllr Mrs Stafford and the Clerk met with the owner of the apple tree which overhangs the footpath who has readily agreed to cooperate in removing the branches and other dead wood. The Clerk has submitted an application to TWBC for the tree work in the Conservation Area.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
02.11.09

Report for Goudhurst Parish Council Meeting of 12th October 2009

Anti-Social Behaviour (1) - Youths have been illegally riding mini motorbikes on the roads of Culpepers, Lurkins Rise, Mary Day’s, etc., on Footpath WC 36 which links Culpepers with Bedgebury Road, and on the Lurkins Rise Recreation Ground. The police and warden are aware and have been informed that GPC does not approve of any motorised machines on the Recreation Ground. It would be prudent to have a notice to this effect and GPC is requested to approve the purchase and erection of such a sign. With approval, Cllr Mrs. Stafford and the Clerk will progress.

Anti-Social Behaviour (2) - The perennial problem of crab apples falling into Bray’s Alley, WC 36A, from an overhanging tree rooted in a neighbouring property has presented itself yet again. It is anti-social to allow the apples to fall onto public ground where pedestrians are put at risk of slipping and sliding on the rotting fruit. Furthermore, the crab apples provide anti-social youths with ammunition to pelt neighbouring houses. The police are aware and wish to solve the problem once and for all. The owner of the crab apple tree has not been cooperative in the past. Although the responsibility is that of the tree owner, it is suggested a practical solution might be the radical removal of offending branches by a GPC contractor and at GPC’s expense. A quote for the work and a suggested way forward will be presented to GPC parish council meeting with a view to GPC approval.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
02.10.09

Cranbrook Police Station opening hours: 0930-1400 Mon-Fri. 0900-1700 Sat.
Cranbrook Police Station General Enquiries: 01580 711000

Emergency: 999 (if there is a threat to life or a crime is in progress)
West Kent Police: 01732 771055
Main Switchboard: 01622 690055 (to report a non-urgent crime)
Crime Reduction Unit: 01892 502104
Crime Stoppers: 0800 555111

Neighbourhood Police Officer P.C. Tim Moody: 07800 675343
KCC Community Warden Krissy Howlett: 07813 713740

Clerk to the Parish Council
Anthony Farnfield MBE
clerk@goudhurst.co.uk