Good afternoon.

During the last several days, as Birstall and Wanlip have moved away from the previous reports of 2 separate male/female criminal duos targeting Birstall, the community has further been beset by youths visiting from outside the village (from city side) undertaking petty thefts from food stores in the village.

One of the aspects of this undertaking that had a marked effect on the aspect of supporting victims was the ill-advised usage of social media to highlight the issue whilst negating reporting directly to the Police. The rule of thumb, regardless of the ill feeling generated by trolls on Social Media, should always be to directly report to the Police and by restraining from posting on Social Media, investigators can better support the victims of crime by preventing any unnecessarily collateral damage being generated. This is not to suggest such transgression cannot be managed by the Police moving forward but social media has equal potential to be a platform for negativity as much as it has the potential for positivity as previous weeks has highlighted.

As the good weather has stop/started to arrive, so to has an increase in e-scooter and off-road motorbikes and quadbikes, predominantly at the Birstall entrance to Watermead Park and as far in to the village as the School Lane Playing Fields. This activity is being monitored by the local beat team who will utilise appropriate resources to manage and pursue the restorative process.

In the coming months it is hoped the Community Speed Watch will begin, and further work will be done regarding the continued highlighted parking issues around the three primary schools during drop off and pick up times.

Until next time, stay safe & stay vigilant!

PC 1365 Stu VENABLES

PCSO 6174 Jon HARRISON

Birstall & Wanlip Local Policing Team

Leicestershire Police