Hello again Newtonians – it’s Mark Edwards here from the Neighbourhood Policing Team. For this article I would like to stay with the subject of PACT (that’s Police and Communities Together).
By now you may have seen or heard of ‘POP IN PACT’. This is a forum that does exactly what is says on the tin – it is a new initiative that launched in the town centre on Wednesday 20th January 2016 and – for that particular location, is essentially a drop in venue where the NPT have use of a shop unit (the former ‘Select’ store) and shoppers, retailers, partner representatives, and local residents can ‘pop in’ and speak to Officers about any problems they may be experiencing or to raise awareness of other issues. The event is monthly and the sessions will last for three hours, details will be circulated via social media and other local media such as the Newton News.
This ties into the review that we have been doing of the PACT process as a whole and you may recall from earlier bulletins my statement that we are in no way withdrawing from community engagement. In the town centre – historically, there has been a regular meeting (monthly at first, then moving bi-monthly) which tended to receive poor attendance levels. By removing this one hour session and replacing it with a three hour drop in forum we hope to see a more effective means of engagement. Naturally this will be subject to review.
Similar ideas will be getting rolled out across the rest of the town in the coming weeks although some areas will see no change at all to existing structures. The ‘POP IN PACT’ will be making an appearance in Woodham as of the 9th February 2016 at the Community Centre on St. Elizabeth’s Close at 10.30 am. Likewise this will be a regular fixture.
Please keep watching/reading for details of other PACT forums planned across the town as they are announced. You can also find details on the Durham Constabulary website www.durham.police.uk from the ‘Your Neighbourhood’ section.
Witness Appeal – Burglary
On the subject of Woodham there have been two burglaries reported to Newton Aycliffe Police that occurred overnight between 6 pm on Monday 18th January and 1.30 am on Tuesday 19th. REDZ Fish Bar and Lagoon Hair and Beauty were targeted by thieves. At ‘Lagoon’ entry was gained into the premises after the suspects jemmied open the front metal doors and around £1100 worth of JOICO hair products were stolen. A similar method was employed at the Fish shop (REDZ) where – amongst other things, a till and safe were stolen. Local CID Teams are investigating these crimes and are appealing for anyone with any information or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area during the times referenced to get in touch. All information will be treat in total confidence. The NPT will be in the local community progressing these enquiries.
And that’s it for this week. Speak again soon.
Mark J Edwards
Aycliffe Neighbourhood Inspector