North West NPT – Introducing my Team

Just taking this opportunity to introduce myself and my Team.   I have been sending some updates and just wondered if you had received them or if they were of any help.   Kindest regards   Simon A/Inspector NW NPT   Good Morning All,   I hope you are keeping well at this time and hope that the CoVID situation continues to improve. Only yesterday I had a distant conversation with a nurse at a local care home about local issues but thankfully they were doing very well I was pleased to hear. We have a great deal of respect for such front line workers.   As usual this is my report for My Team’s activities in Walkley, Upperthorpe and Hillsborough and we have remained busy and very productive since our formation.   Organised criminality and drug supply – Attrition The Team has been successful in disruption, seizures and prosecutions. We have been out in strength of numbers in vehicle and on foot in the alleyways and streets around Spring Vale Walk, Burlington Court and other areas. We have interrupted drug deals and seized evidence of drug den properties. Mail drops in these areas have led to further cooperation and support from those communities and evidence from our physical presence helps with tactics such as Closure Orders which really curtail drug activities in nuisance properties. In June we made 6 arrests and so far in July we have 3 for various offences such as possession of drugs with intent to supply.        We also have seized a number of vehicles associated with drug supply such as this one on Burlington Court. I also totted up the value of cannabis plants we have seized so far and its nearly £450,000 worth off the streets and that’s just the Walkley Team. We are getting excellent support from our partners and communities and I’m always keen to receive help with information about criminality, dealing, problem addresses and individuals. We take action. We also await a sentence next week expecting a male arrested at an address in Holme Lane, Hillsborough to receive a custodial sentence after we found him growing 165 cannabis plants.     A common sight throughout our area but less obvious are our plain clothes officers watching for criminality and helping with best use of stop and search tactics. We met our local prolific burglar last night and whilst he was empty handed on his occasion I felt it quite valuable for him to meet the Team. He was ‘less impressed’ though but he’s firmly on our radar and he knows it. Oh. Also, we seized our thirtieth vehicle this week suspected involved in crime.   SPRING VALE WALK – Work towards a Closure Order We had concerns about an address after recent intelligence reported ‘Cuckooing’. We have a great deal of information about activities and those involved and we are not messing about. We seek a Closure order to give the other residents some solace.  This will be our fourth and the other three have proven very successful.                                                                                                                                               Evidence of drug use everywhere especially the kitchen.   Discharged syringes everywhere including communal areas outside   Getting into our Communities Our list of community contacts is growing and we enjoy a great relationship with our residents. Chasing through he estates this week people were directing officers after criminals from their windows. One member of the public stopped his car and offered to help officers suddenly outnumbered. Whilst we do not want the public to put themselves at risk it makes it worthwhile when you get such positivity from those you serve. Elsewhere we were proud to pay tribute on Armed Forces Day with one of our Walkley Veterans. A humbling experience.     Hillsborough Park and other areas – Tackling ASB The Team has been busy in this aspect and also in support of other Teams in parks such as Endcliffe and Bingham. Speaking to the majority of people young and not so young we find them to be good natured, CoVID compliant and happy to speak with Police. It was great to see families, family activities and kite flying. We have taken positive action in areas such as the library at Hillsborough and we have seized a number of little silver canisters from folk using the contents for a ‘high’ then leaving evidence discarded. We are aware and are taking action.       Young Chap arrested for drugs supply I mention this as an example of how certain issues can be dealt with. A young chap was caught after a brief foot chase by one of my Team with £60 worth of cannabis on him and evidence that he may have been dealing to his friends. He was arrested, phone seized to be interrogated and room searched and an investigation takes place. First time in trouble with the Police and it’s a serious offence but work will be done with the Youth Offending Team to find a suitable means to finalise this matter rather than an automatic process through the criminal justice system. I mention as it shows the multi-facetted nature of Neighbourhood Policing.                                                                                                                                                      The good work goes on and we are confident and optimistic. Thank you for reading and for your support. It’s vital and it does make a difference. Stay safe.   Kindest Regards   Simon   Simon Kirkham Police Sergeant 160 South Yorkshire Police North West Neighbourhood Team – Walkley, Hillsborough & Upperthorpe Team   Snig Hill Police Station Sheffield S3 8LY T:0114 296 8788 (Internal 718788) Email: simon.kirkham@southyorks.pnn.police.uk southyorks.police.uk