Sergeant Andy Gill
The Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods team covers the areas of Ryde (Oakfield, Elmfield, Swanmore, Haylands) outside the town centre.
The team comprises:
- Sergeant Andy Gill
- PC Mike Giddens
- PC Caroline Woodgate
- PCSO Karen Allen
- PCSO Darren Fennell
PC Mike Giddens, PCSO Karen Allen and Sergeant Andy Gill
Your Safer Neighbourhoods team for the Oakfield and Elmfield beat
PCSO Darren Fennell, Sergeant Andy Gill and PC Caroline Woodgate
Your Safer Neighbourhoods team for the Swanmore and Haylands beat
Sergeant Andy Gill is also responsible for the Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods team Click for more information about the officers and PCSOs who cover Wootton Bridge, Havenstreet, Binstead, Apse Heath, Winford, Upton, Ashey, Knighton, Whiteley Bank, and Newchurch.
The policing pledge and your local priorities
Click here to read the national policing pledge, which sets out the service you can expect from your local police force.
Locally, we work with your community to find out what matters most where you live. We will work with you and our partner agencies to agree the main priorities for the area and how we will work together to tackle them.
The three priorities for Oakfield, Elmfield, Swanmore & Haylands are:
(Updated: December 16, 2009)
- Prevent and reduce juvenile nuisance.
- Prevent and reduce criminal damage.
- Stop speeding motorists.
These are the priorities that people in your local area have agreed with the Safer Neighbourhoods team. You can influence these priorities by contacting your team, attending a meeting or speaking to members of the team when you see them out and about.
Visit this link for details of community meetings in the Ryde area
Police beat newsletters
Please click on the links below to read the latest newsletter from your local Safer Neighbourhoods team:
Ryde South beat newsletter January 2010.pdf
Action we have taken in relation to your priorities
You said....Prevent and reduce juvenile nuisance
We did....The team visits schools regularly to give pupils advice on personal safety and community respect. We hold youth workshops where activities and facilities are suggested. One of the biggest responses was for somewhere to play football where there would not be annoyance to anyone. Free weekly football sessions were supervised throughout the summer holidays.
Children were encouraged to show support and respect for one another by agreeing their own rules and working as a team. Julie Downer, mother of 11-year-old Oliver Downer, said: “It was good to have activities organised during the summer so we could be sure where our son was when he was out. People can get the wrong idea when they see children playing on the street so I welcome the police doing something like this, which allows youngsters to enjoy themselves safely in the local neighbourhood, and prove they’re not going out to cause trouble.”
PCSO Karen Allen and PCSO Katy Berry (of Rural East SNT) have run a four-week, after school 'Blues and Twos' club for children at Oakfield Primary School where the children were introduced to their Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT). The children also met firefighters and Isle of Wight Council Environment and Neighbourhood Officers (ENOs) with opportunities to try on uniforms and use pieces of equipment. This was very popular and will soon be starting at Haylands Primary school.
PCSO Karen Allen and Isle of Wight Council ENO Linda Shorter have been involved in a 'Cycle Ryde' project where young people are shown how to maintain their cycles and use them safely this was very well attended and is being extended to Newport. For more information, go to Isle of Wight Council's website: http://www.iwight.com/home/pressreleases/frmView.aspx?prid=588ss
The Safer Neighbourhoods team (SNT) worked with Ryde High School to set up a Good Citizen award card scheme for the pupils to gain points through good attendance, involvement in events both in and out of school, or learning new skills, such as learning to swim. The scheme provides prizes for those students with the highest number of points at the end of term. The SNT has planned, and will be carrying out a youth survey in the Sherbourne Avenue neighbourhood to ascertain exactly what the young people would like to see in their area.
You said....Prevent and reduce criminal damage
We did....There are extra patrols in areas where criminal damage is reported. Powers under Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act are used to ban people aged 16 or over from a specific area for up to 48 hours if they are involved in anti-social behaviour. Co-operation with housing associations allow warning letters and eviction orders to be issued to tenants causing problems.
You said....Stop speeding motorists.
We did....Community speed watch: Safer Neighbourhoods team officers and the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit conduct regular speed and stop checks on drivers and vehicles where residents have complained. Motorists caught breaking the law will face prosecution and education.
Justice Seen, Justice Done
The courage of a rape victim on the Isle of Wight prompted police to catch a teenage offender within hours of his crime. Shortly after 2.15pm on September 3, 2008, a stranger rape was reported near Wootton. The victim, a young woman, had run through dense woodland to raise the alarm. PC Sam Burrows and PC Paul Fairweather were on patrol when PC Burrows spotted a youth, matching the description of the suspect, walking through a pub car park in Wootton. Swift questioning found nearby witnesses had reliable information that the suspect had accepted a lift to Ryde Pier where he was due to board a ferry. At 4.02pm, PC Fairweather called for officers nearest Ryde Pier to stop the next ferry. At 4.09pm, PC Andrea Bancroft spotted the youth in the passenger queue and arrested him. Detectives from the Major Crime Department charged the 15-year-old boy with rape and attempted rape less than two days later. He pleaded guilty and received an indeterminate prison sentence in March 2009. The offender, whose identity is protected by law, will only be released when he is deemed ‘safe’ by the Parole Board.
An Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) remains in force until September 10, 2011 against Terry Paul Watts, aged 21, of West Street, Ryde. The order prohibits him from: Possessing any alcoholic beverage in a public place, other than in a licensed premises, and other than during 0800 – 1800 provided that during those times, it is sealed in the original container. Deliberating abusing, threatening, intimidating or annoying any other person on the Isle of Wight. From entering specific parts of Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Samuel Peter Perkis, aged 22, of Pell Lane, Ryde pleaded guilty in court to assault by beating and received a 12-month exclusion order from all pubs in the Ryde and District areas, a 12-month supervised community order, and six months' alcohol treatment.
More action taken by the Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods team
New Neighbourhood Watch schemes created in police campaign on the Isle of Wight
by Duncan Smith
The police are encouraging more residents in Ryde on the Isle of Wight to play a bigger role in preventing, detecting and reducing crime. The Safer Neighbourhoods Team for the outer and rural areas of Ryde helped to create ten new Neighbourhood Watch schemes following a specific campaign. Police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) visited streets with a mobile police station. The purpose of the initiative was to meet and speak with residents about the advantages of starting new schemes where they live.
PCSO Karen Allen said: “We received a good response from many people who liked the strengths of becoming part of Neighbourhood Watch, which is an effective and efficient way to reinforce regular communication between communities and the police. We are keen for people to feel they are an invaluable part of the policing that protects their neighbourhood from crime and fears of crime.”
Under Neighbourhood Watch schemes, co-ordinators and the police exchange information pro-actively through monthly newsletters and meetings to develop an accurate picture of any local crime trends, their causes, and discuss the action being taken to stop them. The police raise awareness of common sense and sophisticated, yet practical, crime prevention tactics and techniques. These include SmartWater property marking kits, which have been provided free to Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators as part of a project with the Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). SmartWater is a non-hazardous liquid that can be used to mark property. Each batch has a unique ‘DNA-type’ forensic code, tying its use to a specific location or item of property. This technology is designed as a deterrent to potential thieves and burglars. It is also an extra method of detecting stolen items, and linking them to offenders. The growth in Neighbourhood Watch schemes is supporting Hampshire Constabulary’s current Operation Nemesis, which is focusing on preventing and detecting burglaries.
Former Sergeant Terry Clarkson of Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “Officers and PCSOs will inform a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator as soon as possible when a burglary has taken place nearby so the community can respond quickly to help police reduce the risk of a similar crime in the same area. “We believe more Neighbourhood Watch schemes sharing crime prevention advice can be powerful deterrent, especially as analysis has shown more than half of burglaries on the Island occur when doors and windows are left open.”
One of the new Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators in the Ryde area is Mrs Lesley Dann of Wykeham Close. She said: “It’s an easy thing to do just to keep in touch with people and look out for one another. You feel safer because you know you’re not on your own. I’ve had no problems living on the Island for 30 years, but communication with the police is reassuring because it gives you the awareness and confidence to report and help prevent crime.”
The new Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the Ryde area cover Hope Road and Circular Road, Mary Rose Avenue, Wykeham Close, Firestone Glade, Salters Road, Swanmore Road, Jellicoe Road, Pitts Lane, and High Park Road.
Police support events to strengthen community links in Ryde
By Duncan Smith
Ryde’s Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are backing efforts to build stronger communities in the town. Police officers and PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) worked alongside colleagues from partner agencies during two events this autumn. Hundreds of people attended the community days, which were held at Mayfield Middle School and Oakfield Football Club.
Hampshire Constabulary was one of the organisations with displays at both events. Officers and PCSOs gave advice and support on crime prevention, including cycle security marking. PCSO Katy Berry of Ryde and Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods Teams said: “These events are just one aspect of the efforts we’re making to reinforce stronger working relationships with local residents. The team believes it’s vital for people to know there’s a familiar police presence in the community with the ability to concentrate consistently on its issues. It’s this kind of engagement that encourages greater confidence in policing, and contributes to reductions in crime, and the fear of crime.” Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Isle of Wight Council Environment and Neighbourhood Officers Linda Shorter and Harry Dea security marked more than 60 bicycles, and gave away bike lights as competition prizes for young people who had picked up the most litter in the area. The Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods Team would like to thank the following people and organisations for their support. Isle of Wight Council Environment and Neighbourhood Officers Harry Dea and Linda Shorter, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Medina Housing and South Wight Housing Associations, the NHS Stop Smoking service, Island 2000. Simon Lailey’s Sanshangong Kung Fu School, PJs Theatre School of Dance, PGL Activities, Max Splatt circus skills, Barnardos and, Mayfield Middle School and Oakfield Football Club for the use of their facilities.
News
Police officer commended for rescuing child from fire on the Isle of Wight
By Duncan Smith
An experienced police officer on the Isle of Wight has been recognised for his bravery in rescuing a child from a burning building. Terry Clarkson, who used to be the Safer Neighbourhoods Sergeant for the outer Ryde and Rural East areas of the island, received a commendation from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police Chief Constable Alex Marshall personally during a ceremony at Netley. Sergeant Clarkson was off duty on May 12, 2008 when he noticed smoke coming from a wooden shed in the garden of someone’s home in the Ventnor area. Through the shed window, he could see flames, and then the head of a young boy. Sergeant Clarkson ran into the premises, entered the shed, and pulled the child out of the burning shed at considerable risk to himself. He then assisted the boy’s mother in trying to extinguish the flames. Sergeant Clarkson said: “I saw the smoke at around quarter to seven in the morning, and asked myself ‘Who has a bonfire at this time?’ When I realised there was a child in the shed, I thought I’ve got to get him out. The heat inside the shed was intense, and I took hold of the boy by his arms and pulled him out. The child wanted to go back in to put out the fire himself, and his mother came into the garden with a bowl full of water, but by then the flames were spreading, and we called the Fire Service promptly. “The shed went up like a torch within minutes, and I believe the boy would have been badly burned if he had remained inside. I lapsed into shock afterwards because the fire eventually affected garden fences, another shed in a neighbouring property, and two holly trees. There was so much heat generated, melting things that were at least twenty metres away. “I was pleased and honoured to receive the commendation, which recognises the essence of what a police officer is all about, keeping people safe.” East Wight Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Bill Pinnell, who nominated Sergeant Clarkson for the commendation, said: “He is very highly regarded by his colleagues and the local community to which he has given exemplary service for the past 29-and-a-half years. This sort of action is typical of the selfless and courageous character of Sergeant Clarkson. His actions undoubtedly saved the young boy from sustaining serious injury. His reactions whilst off duty are a reminder of the daily service and sacrifices made by committed police officers and staff for communities on the island.”
How you can take action
The team holds a number of community meetings - visit this link for details of community meetings in the area. If you would like to speak to an officer about a particular issue or if you would like to invite a member of the team to attend your neighbourhood watch, residents association or other local meeting to talk about crime and anti-social behaviour, just drop a line on email or give the team a call using the contact details below.
Come and tell us what is important to you in your neighbourhood, and play your part in setting local priorities.
You could also volunteer to help the teams working in your local area and make a real difference to your neighbourhood. Click here for more information about police support volunteers.
Crime mapping and local performance information
Hampshire Constabulary has joined with partner agencies in the two counties to provide you with local information about crime and disorder, using a system called CADDIE. On the bottom left hand side of this page, you can enter your postcode into CADDIE to view information about your local area.
How to contact us
Ryde Police Station, Station Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight,
Phone: 0845 045 45 45
E-mail: ryde.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Online links to partner organisations in the Ryde area:
Ryde Town Council
http://www.iwight.com/parishcouncils/parishcouncilsdetail.aspx?id=30
