Some 241 calls were made to the police from members of the public relating to Wellington in November, down slightly on the month before. The number of crimes reported and recorded fell by 25 per cent on the number recorded in October.

Sixty crimes were recorded compared to 80 crimes recorded the month before.

Reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) fell again for the fourth month running in November with 17 fewer reports than we received in October. Youth ASB did not factor in many of the 29 reports we received last month. Most referred to neighbour disputes, concerns for welfare and matters involving vehicles. While ASB of any kind is a negative, and something we will always try to address, to see Wellington Police Team’s proactive patrols of known youth ASB hotspots across the town having the desired effect is a positive.

November saw officers from the team busy with engagement activities linked to Hate Crime Awareness and Road Safety Weeks.

It also saw our Mini-Police sessions start again after a long break during 2020 and the start of 2021 due to Covid-19. PCSO Simon Bramley has been busy with the St John’s Primary School Mini-Police Cadets who have started to learn about the role of a police officer and the other emergency services. During last week’s Mini-Police session children aged nine or ten were taught about CPR and emergency first aid.

In December we will be increasing our visibility and engagement in the community, and working closely with external partners to identify those in need of help and support. This is particularly important at Christmas, which can be a difficult time for those who may have little or no family support.

The team will also be working hard to emphasise the importance of everyone keeping their homes and property secure at this time of year. This may not be the jolliest of Christmas messages but it is one we would like everyone to follow by spending a few minutes checking their home security to reduce any risk. Being a victim of burglary and similar crimes can be devastating and have a life-long impact on individuals and whole families. The more people who take this advice on board, alongside our ongoing proactive policing operations to catch and disrupt offenders in our area, the safer we will become and actually feel in our own homes.

Operation Tonic, the national Christmas drink-drive campaign got under way on December 1. With the aim of reducing fatal and serious road traffic collisions, and protecting other road users, Wellington Police Team will be policing the roads of Wellington throughout the festive period. The chances of drink/drug drivers being caught, losing their licence and spending time in one of our cells over Christmas is very high.

We understand that 2021 has been another difficult year for most of us and we want people to celebrate Christmas and enjoy themselves. However, 2021 has been another year of personal responsibility and this must be extended to the festive season. We need drivers to be aware that there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

On behalf of the whole team, I would like to wish communities of Wellington a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year. We shall be here for you, so call us if you need us, and stop for a chat if you see us out on our patrols.

Sgt Dan Bishop

Neighbourhood Police Sergeant for Wellington