Bosworth, Ratby, Groby, Markfield and Stanton Police Local Neighbourhood

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'Hello, I am Sergeant James Cross, the dedicated Neighbourhood Sergeant for Market Bosworth, Ratby, Groby, Markfield and Stanton area. I started my career in policing in 2004 and was initially posted to Hinckley area spending a year patrolling the Market Bosworth boundaries as a PC.

In 2009 I was promoted and became a Sergeant initially covering the response teams at Wigston. Over my time I have managed teams covering most areas of Leicester including returning to the Hinckley and Blaby area for a short period of time.

In 2014 I managed the Missing Person Team working closely with partners including social care to locate and bring about the safe return of vulnerable adults and children. Then in December 2016 I moved to the role as Custody Officer working in the cells managing the care and detention of people arrested in Leicestershire.

I am now returning back to the Hinckley and Blaby policing area into a neighbourhood policing role, an area of police work that I very passionate about and I am looking forward to the new challenge.

I have inherited a small but well-rounded beat team, who between them they have a wealth of knowledge not only in policing but on the local area and issues raised by you as members of the community.

I intend on continuing the good work and close links that have been formed with local partners to resolve locally identified issues. I also intend on working closely with the community to identify issues that directly affect the local residents and businesses and addressing them accordingly.

If anyone wishes to speak directly with myself or a member of the beat team please send us an email on the link below.’

I have worked for the police since January 2004 and I have responsibility for Market Bosworth and the wider rural area. I live locally and understand the issues faced by the local community. A large part of my work involves a focus on combating rural crime, engagement with isolated rural businesses and farms and other policing issues. I work closely with officers from Warwickshire police to enhance cross border relationships and information sharing.
I’m always happy to help – the best way to contact me is by email.

I joined Leicestershire Police in 1987 starting as a general duties officer at Braunstone. I have worked at Beaumont Leys and New Parks Police stations in the city before transferring to Market Bosworth as a Principal Beat Officer. This enabled me to work in my local area, embracing the challenges of Neighbourhood Policing and assisting the people of Market Bosworth and surrounding villages. I am predominately responsible for Barlestone, Bagworth, Desford and many of the smaller villages centred around Bosworth. Along with the rest of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, I am committed to facing and dealing with the problems in the area, involving our partnership agencies where appropriate.

I have been employed by Leicestershire Police for over 12 years and have spent 10 years of those within the neighbourhood policing role working on a busy inner city estate beat covering New Parks and Braunstone Estate before later joining the counties working in the Braunstone town and Thorpe Astley area.

I am looking forward to working alongside my colleagues on the Bosworth, Ratby, Groby and surrounding villages beat and I hope using the experience and knowledge I have gained to best use.

This is a new area for me and I will enjoy getting to know the people and the area.

I am very approachable so feel free to stop and chat to me with any issues you may have.

Groby is suffering with Anti-Social Behaviour in the evenings and weekends by groups of youths aged between 12 and 19. These youths are gathering in open public spaces such as Marina Drive Park and Stephenson way and are being rowdy, using drugs, drinking and causing damage to street furnishings

Convent Drive, Stoke Golding had fallen victim to significant ASB which was being caused by a number of individuals on the estate which was having a detrimental impact on residents.
Behaviour reported including, screaming and shouting, drug dealing, excessive noise, and intimidation.

In recent weeks there has been an increase in the volume of anti-social behaviour reported to us. This anti-social behaviour on the whole is typically seasonal and in line with historical data. Local residents have raised this as a concern directly with officers or via their local councillors. This type of ASB is largely linked to young adults in and around recreational areas who are consuming alcohol and making excess noise at unreasonable hours.

Since being issued with ABC contracts the number of incidents have dramatically reduced. Officers continue to actively manage the ABC contracts with the assistance of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

In the Spring/Summer 2017 there was a number of complaints received from local residents across the beat area about excessive traffic congestion as a result of local tourist attractions. A number of local residents have expressed their concerns to us that they are going to experience similar issues this year.
This month officers will be taking a proactive approach around this visiting such attractions and discussing what provisions they have made to address the problems experienced last year.

We have worked in conjunction with a number of tourist attractions across the policing area ensuring that they have working practices in place to reduce and ease traffic congestion where possible. Whilst traffic congestion and poor parking continues to be reported at peak times there has been a significant reduction in disruption caused. As a priority this will now be closed and monitored on an adhoc basis locally.

There has been an increased amount of reported criminal damage in Groby. Damage has been caused to garage area's, park equipment and graffiti has been sprayed onto the side of buildings. These offences appear to be occurring during the evening and it is believed that local youths are responsible.

We would urge anyone with any information to get in touch on either 101 or via the Leicestershire Police website.

A total of 7 young people were interviewed in relation to the spree of criminal damages. As a result one of the youths will now receive a youth conditional caution. Since interviewing the youths there have been no more mindless incidents of damage reported. Officers will continue to monitor the situation.

Local residents have raised concerns about youths on mopeds congregating on Bell Lane, Newbold Verdon causing general annoyance and anti-social behaviour. It has been reported that the mopeds have loud exhausts and that the riders excessively rev their engines when it is not required.

Officers have been conducting a number of proactive patrols at the location. As a result of these patrols they have identified three individuals, all three have now been issued with ASB warning notices.
These notices have had the desired affect, there has been no reports of ASB in the month of January. Bells Lane will now be removed as a beat priority. Should local residents experience ASB or have information to the contrary we urge them to get in touch by calling 101.

Local residents have raised concerns about moped been driven in and around the Ferndale Park, Ratby in an anti-social manner. This behaviour has been causing annoyance to local residents as well as users of the park.

Via consultation with local residents we understand that this year that the issues experienced were significantly reduced as a result of the pro-active police patrols. A number of youths were identified and dealt with via the ASB tiered approach. I understand that the parish council now intend of installing CCTV at the site as well which will help us investigate further incidents. This priority will now be closed to allow officers to spend their time on other locally identified problems. If residents experience any further issues they should report this to us on 101 or contact officers directly via the force website.

Local residents and parish councillors have raised some concerns with traffic in Bagworth. The concerns brought to our attention cover 3 specific areas.

1. HGV’s from nearby industrial units are using the village as a short cut breaching weight limits
2. Speeding along Station Road
3. The use of vehicles anti-socially in an around station Road.

Over the coming weeks we are going to be working closely with our partners to overcome these issues and we will update you with our progress.

A number of residents and business owners have expressed some concerns around the traffic problems around Market Bosworth water park. The local beat team are working closely with the water park to prevent issues in the future. The water park has already taken some proactive steps in an attempt to overcome any issues. An update will follow.

Officers have offered support and advice to the Water Park Management Team who have implemented a number of measures to prevents incidents like this occurring in the future. The local authority has also been contacted and they are going to review the road markings outside the water park and ensure that the single yellow lines are replaced following the recent surface dressing.

A number of residents and local council members have expressed a concern in relation to some ASB around Barlestone. The ASB relates to young adults sat in and around parked cars playing music, littering and causing a general disturbance.

We have received reports of Anti-social behaviour occurring in the early evening in Ratby. The reports include, criminal damage, youths congregating and intimidating local residents and general anti-social behaviour.

We have visited and spoken with a number of individuals within the community who have explained the issues within Ratby. A strategic patrol plan was developed and officers patrolled at specific times in order to achieve maximum impact. A number of youths were spoken to and dealt with using the multi-agency tiered approach. A series of engagements with the local community highlighted a significant improvement with those spoken to stating that had not experienced any issues since before Christmas. As a result of this priority is now going to be closed.

We have received a number of complaints about youths congregating around the scout hut in the early evening causing a general nuisance and intimidating those that use the facilities. There have also been a few reports of vehicles being used anti-socially and drug taking.

We have completed target hardening work at the Scout hut and regularly patrolled the area over the previous months. There has only been one reported incident during this time. Officers will continue to monitor and patrol the area and if there are any further problems they will deal accordingly.

You have advised us that there are issues of anti social behaviour regarding young people gathering near to the Community Centre in Markfield. Issues reported include playing football at midnight, rubbish being left and excessive noise.

We have worked closely with our partners over the previous months, I'm happy to report that due to these joint initiatives local residents are no longer experiencing anti-social behaviour at the location. Obviously officers will continue to monitor the situation and if further intervention is required they will respond accordingly.

Local residents have raised concerns regarding traffic issues in Desford, in particular HGV's misuse of weight restrictions.

We have recently had a meeting with local representatives who have said that the number of HGV’s through the village has reduced considerably. There has been one report of a vehicle contravening the restrictions in the last 6 weeks, which was dealt with by contact with local interested parties.
Desford Parish council are in contact with the County Council Highways dept. regarding plans for calming measures for the High Street.
Assurances have been given that should any vehicles be reported for contravening the restrictions they will be dealt with on an individual basis.

We will continue to monitor the village social media pages for any future complaints, and monitor the route as part of our normal patrol strategy.

You have advised police of anti social behaviour around Groby Pool.

Police have tackled this issue through a variety of methods. We have worked closely with our partner agencies, completed some high visibility patrols as well target hardening in the area. We have updated concerned residents through the parish council meetings. Incidents relating to the area have dramatically reduced in comparison to what was experienced last year. This area is embedded within our regular patrols now and this PSP will be closed. The beat team will continue to monitor the situation.

To deal with reports of anti social behaviour at Markfield Community Centre and the adjacent areas.

Concern over crime-rate in the area of Orton on the Hill

Officers have worked to engage with the local community, including parish councils and residents to offer reassurance in regarding crime.

To tackle anti social behaviour on the B585 Bagworth Road, Nailstone, B585 Garland Lane and
Barlestone Road, Bagworth.

Officers have been raising awareness of anti social behaviour throughout the local community. We have also been working with the highways department at the County Council to tackle the problem. The Market Bosworth Dedicated Neighbourhoods Team patrol the area on a regular basis. This is a long term project and whilst the PSP has been closed the Market Bosworth Dedicated Neighbourhoods Team continue to focus on resolving issues within this location.

To tackle perceived ASB around Markfield Community Centre and the surrounding area

An increase in police presence at the centre and the immediate area has seen a drop in the number of incidents reported.

To build confidence and tackle ASB in the Thornton area

After the installation of street CCTV and high visibility patrols in the area, the number of incidents reported has dropped. We will revisit this should incidents increase in the future.

To reduce burglary dwelling and shed breaks.

We have used targeted patrol strategy which allows us through crime pattern analysis to deploy high visibility patrols into areas of recent crime and those highlighted through crime pattern analysis and potential areas venerable to crime.

We have also targeted travelling criminals, concentrating on the main routes in and around the beat area. We have also used a system of cocooning when I crime has been committed to help gather evidence and protect, through crime prevention advice, further offences.

To reduce speeding, parking issues and problems around HGV misuse in restricted zones.

We have used the speed gun at selected areas of high speed and accidents, both as a deterrent and to enforce the speeding limits. Where possible we have also deployed in areas where visible police attention has impacted positively on our other priorities such as areas of recent crime and main roads and routes through the beat.

To reduce youth anti-social behaviour (ASB) especially around vehicle crime.

Tackling ASB has not only been a beat target but also a force target, and in working with our partners such as the Borough Council we have had a more joined up, comprehensive approach to ASB. Not only tackling those individuals responsible to through follow up intervention. This has reduced reoffending and educated offenders on the impact they are having on the community at large.

To reduce acquisitive crime across the area.

The beat team has been deployed in car, on foot and on bike to tackle acquisitive crime across the beat over the last 6 month period. We have also successfully had the use of the ANPR vehicle and used it to target acquisitive crime hotspots within the villages and the main through routes. Where an acquisitive crime pattern has been identified we have used intelligence led policing to target those individuals responsible. We have also spent a considerable amount of time giving good practical crime prevention advice to the most vulnerable members of our communities before they have suffered from acquisitive crime.

Tackle anti-social behaviour, specifically during school holidays in areas where the reports of anti social youth gathering have previously been an issue

The beat team have been deployed very successfully within the villages. We have attended youth clubs, youth groups, church groups, traveller youth groups and also targeted areas which local residents had contacted us about where some youths were causing low level ASB. We have also completed several patch walks in problem areas and fed back the findings to the local Parish Council.
We now have a police office located within Bosworth Academy where police operate out of as well as engaging with members of the school community.

Tackle anti-social behaviour, specifically during school holidays in areas where the reports of anti social youth gathering have previously been an issue

by running "Operation Varix" in the school holidays and a local policing wide operation where neighbourhood officers concentrate their time in anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspot areas.
This has helped to drive down incidents of ASB on the L79 beat and across the local policing unit.

Reduction in acquisitive crime across the area

by managing acquisitive crime through targeted management of repeat offenders and intelligence based patrol strategies to target any spree or repeat crime that has seen some great arrests.

Acquisitive crime has reduced for the third year in a row on the L79 beat.

Speeding on Ratby Road and Sacheverell Way, Groby any time of the day or night.

We increased patrols in the area, resulting in operators of HGV's and companies being identified. These were contacted and educated and drivers spoken to personally. Drivers were also issued with fixed penalty tickets and offending HGV's turned around and advised of correct routes to use. The station has funded new equipment for speed enforcement and monitoring. The Roads Policing Unit has also been utilised to support this operation and local villages have set up Community Speed Watch where vehicle speeds were monitored

Engaging with and preventing youths causing a nuisance and/or using intimidating behaviour in the villages of Ratby and Groby between 5pm and midnight. Key locations in Ratby are Ferndale Park, Burroughs Road Park and nearby roads close to businesses that form part of the evening economy. Groby locations include Ratby Road at its junction with Fir Tree Lane, Stephenson Way and areas near to the Co-op store and Library; between 6pm and midnight

uniformed patrols were carried out and nuisance youths were targeted resulting in letters being sent to the parents of those acting in an anti social manner. Persons identified using motorbikes in an anti social way were given notices that means that they could have their bike seized if they were to continue using them in an anti social manner.

To reduce burglary and acquisitive crime.

We have targeted areas identified as hotspots using crime pattern analysis. We then used uniformed and covert patrols to tackle crime in these locations. Suspects were identified for a spate of burglaries and a number of arrests were quickly made. Since April 2011 serious acquisitive crime offences have reduced by 6.5% and house burglaries reduced by 14% which is a tremendous result.

Speeding vehicles using Ratby Road and Sacheverell Way, Groby, Peckleton Lane, Desford and also vehicles travelling through Stoke Golding, Sutton Cheney, Market Bosworth and Fenny Drayton at all times of the day and night.

We increased patrols in the area, resulting in operators of HGV's and companies being identified. These were contacted and educated and drivers spoken to personally. Drivers were also issued with fixed penalty tickets and offending HGV's turned around and advised of correct routes to use. The station has funded new equipment for speed enforcement and monitoring. The Roads Policing Unit has also been utilised to support this operation and local villages have set up Community Speed Watch where vehicle speeds were monitored

Speeding vehicles using Peckleton Lane, Desford, along with those travelling through Stoke Golding, Sutton Cheney, Market Bosworth, Botcheston and Fenny Drayton, at all times of the day and night;

by conducting static speed checks at the locations. These checks made use of hand held radar for issuing endorsable tickets, radar lux equipment which displays the speed of vehicles and static monitoring equipment which enables figures to be collated over a longer period. These figures were then used to target the worst affected locations. Market Bosworth had a successful Community speed watch campaign as did Nailstone where a large number of advisory notices were sent to offending drivers. Within the speeding campaign we also looked at complaints of contravention of weight restrictions. Advice was given to drivers and where necessary haulage companies contacted

Engaging with youths and preventing them causing a nuisance in the villages of Thornton, Barlestone, Stapleton, Desford and Market Bosworth, primarily during evenings (6pm to 10pm), at weekends and during school holidays.

by conducting regular surgeries in the villages allowing quicker flow of information and intelligence back to the beat team. We collated Beat survey questionnaires outlining specific complaints from residents allowing us to identify individuals responsible for anti social behaviour. A specific operation (VARIX) was conducted in the evenings for the duration of the Christmas holidays. This allowed 2 dedicated officers per day to cover the villages between 6pm and 10pm concentrating on specific locations and responding to calls relating to anti-social behaviour. Mallory Park Race track provided sponsorship money for the purchase of a dedicated pedal cycle for the beat team to use allowing greater flexibility and coverage of the beat

Engaging with youths and preventing them causing a nuisance in the villages of Thornton, Newbold Verdon, Desford and Market Bosworth â?" primarily during evenings (6pm to 10pm) at weekends and school holiday periods;

by collaborating with youth workers to create and run a ground-breaking youth involvement project. The project allowed the team to work with over 30 youths from a number of villages that were involved in or on the fringes of anti-social behaviour. A range of activities and presentations were undertaken by the group over a period of eight weeks and the results have been excellent. During school holiday periods the neighbourhood team have been involved in Operation Varix which allows designated officers to conduct time-specific patrols to local parks and other locations that historically suffer from nuisance behaviour. Latest figures show that recorded anti-social behaviour is running at the lowest level for three years. We will keep this priority running for the next three months.

Speeding vehicles using Peckleton Lane, Desford along with those travelling through the villages of Stoke Golding, Sutton Cheney, Market Bosworth and Fenny Drayton, at all times of the day and night.

by using laser speed detection equipment and a combination of advice and enforcement to offending drivers. We have also received support and assistance from the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safety camera team along with great work by members of the community speedwatch programmes. Our Roads Policing Unit has also been involved and we have sent advisory notices to offenders. Neighbourhood officers have also visited a number of local primary schools and given speed awareness presentations to the pupils. We will keep this priority for the next three months to continue the good work already undertaken.

Drink and substance abuse and noise pollution between 5pm and 10pm, in and around the parks within the parishes of Barlestone, Bagworth, Newbold Verdon, and Desford;

We instigated a police lead Youth Divertionary Project 2010 which is a youth specific project involving teenagers between the ages of 13 - 16 years old who have already committed crime, or who are believed to be at risk of doing it. The projecy involved young people from the villages of Newbold Verdon, Thornton, Ratby and Groby. The project is running over an eight week period, assisted by our partner agencies and is due to finish at the end of May.

Parking and speeding issues around schools at pick up and drop off times along with speeding through villages around rush hour.

By setting up a traffic initiative at St Peter's School in Market Bosworth on 26th - 30th April tackling problems with parking and obstruction.

Theft from motor vehicles and theft from persons at tourist attractions including Bosworth Park, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, Twycross Zoo, Bosworth Water Trust, Thornton Reservoir, Shackerstone Train Station and the Canal Networks.

By observing and stopping suspicious vehicles using the main roads to and from the area. We conducted beat surgeries at the locations in order to provide a visual presence and allow members of the public to report things to us that would normally have gone unreported. Notable reductions in reported incidences and crime were at Thornton Reservoir and Twycross Zoo, along with a reduction in reported incidences of anti-social behaviour at the water park.

Addressing drinking, substance abuse and excessive noise in the evenings between 5pm and 10pm in and around the recreational parks within the parishes of Barlestone, Bagworth, Newbold Verdon, Desford and Thornton.

By bringing police information on problem youths to a joint agency meeting each week. Along with information passed from our partners, a planned approach of letters to parents, anti-social behaviour contracts and prosecutions were used to put pressure on the youths causing the problems and their parents. It was our intention to get across the message, to the small minority that want to upset the majority in our villages, that it is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. From public consultation meetings it is evident that this priority will have to remain.

Crime at tourist attractions including Bosworth
Park, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre,
Twycross Zoo, Bosworth Water Trust, Thornton
Reservoir, Shackerstone Train Station and the
Canal Networks.

By providing high visibility patrols, and liaising with the attraction owners.

We had neighbourhood beat surgeries at three of the locations that were well attended. The information gained will be used as indicators for future priorities.

Addressing drinking, substance abuse and
excessive noise in the evenings between 5pm and
10pm in and around the recreational parks within
the parishes of Barlestone, Bagworth, Newbold
Verdon and Desford.

By again providing high visibility patrols in the villages. We worked with out-reach workers in the evenings and went into clubs and meetings to talk to the local youth. We were successful with a group in one of the villages by detecting a spate of crimes. The youths responsible were dealt with in different ways by issuing charges, warnings and restorative justice.

By working closely with the council via the weekly information meetings, warning letters and anti-social behaviour contracts were issued in Thornton and Newbold Verdon. As these problems are on-going we will be keeping this as an ongoing priority.

To address the problem of drinking, substance abuse and excessive noise in the evenings between 5pm and 10pm in and around the recreational parks within the Parishes of Barlestone, Bagworth, Newbold Verdon and Desford.

by the introduction of GPS monitoring (waymarkers) to
the busier areas, in order to increase the public
confidence while attempting to improve relations with
the youth in the villages. Anti-social warning letters have
been sent out, as a joint initiative with the council antisocial
behaviour team. Anti-social behaviour contracts
have also been imposed on persistent offenders. This
priority will continue throughout the above villages and
others during the coming weeks.

To tackle crime at tourist attractions including Bosworth Park, Bosworth Battlecentre, Twycross Zoo, Bosworth Water Trust, Thornton Reservoir, Shackerstone Train Station and the Camel Networks.

by conducting high visibility patrols and liaising with
proprietors for early contact regarding suspicious
incidents. We conducted neighbourhood beat meetings
at the locations and used satellite technology to log and
target the higher concern areas. These logs can specify
what time and which officers attended the locations.
These tourist attraction areas will be targeted along with
others into the autumn when the number of tourists will
reduce.