Crime team will target yobs
A crackdown on vandalism at St Mary's Church will be the top priority for the Diss Safer Neighbourhoods Team which held its first public meeting on Tuesday.
Residents from the town and surrounding villages were invited to raise local issues of concern that they would like police officers to tackle as part of the new safer neighbourhoods scheme - a government-led initiative which is currently being rolled out across the county.
The newly elected Diss Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) - chaired by district councillor Tony Palmer - then decided on the three key areas that will become the team's priorities in coming months - with anti-social behaviour, speeding, graffiti, and drink-fuelled crime among the issues debated.
Vandalism at the church was given top rating after the problems were brought into sharp focus by churchwarden Terry Gilbert, who described the antics of a group of foul mouthed yobs who hang out at the site, and pleaded for help in solving the problem.
“We suffer from anti-social behaviour, malicious damage and everything in between. It's not just damage to the churchyard, it's the impact it has on visitors to the church. They walk up from the market place and are met by a group of youths who are swearing and drinking,”
“What can you do to help us stamp it out?” he asked.
Traffic dangers at Roydon Primary School, and vandalism at Diss Sports Ground were chosen as the other main priorities for the team, who will give residents an update on how successful they have been at the next public meeting on November 27.
Roydon parish councillor David Goldson said: “We have reached a complete impasse with parents driving their children to school. County highways won't do anything. What we need is a distinct police presence maybe for a fortnight in the mornings and afternoons.”
The sports ground is also a focus for yobs who smash bottles after drinking sessions, leaving glass strewn about the athletics track.
More than 40 people attended the meeting including town and district councillors, and representatives from the police, Saffron Housing Trust and South Norfolk Council.
The panel will continue to meet on a regular basis in public to consider issues of community safety, and related issues affecting the neighbourhood.
Mr Palmer said: “I think we will get into a routine and start to see things change. We have made a good start this evening.”
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