Sergeant Mike Sizer
East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods Team
The East Cowes team comprises:
- Sergeant Mike Sizer
- PC Dave Cooper
- PC Gary Knight
- PCSO Steve Anker
- PCSO Derek Howard
PCSO Derek Howard PCSO Steve Anker
PC Dave Cooper
Your local priorities
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 top three priorities for East Cowes are:
(Updated: December 2011)
- Tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour on the Esplanade and associated littering and damage: Lead SNT officer PCSO Derek Howard.
- Deal with speeding vehicles along Beatrice Avenue, particularly between Osborne Middle School and Hawthorn Meadows Estate: There is a joint partnership project involving the East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team, the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit and local councils: Lead officer PC Gary Knight.
- Deal with reports of dog fouling along East Cowes Esplanade, particularly on grassed areas: Lead partnership representatives are Isle of Wight Council Community Support Officer Gill Mulcahy and PCSO Steve Anker.
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.
How to change the priorities
Visit this link for details of community meetings in the East Cowes area
Local Action Groups
Your local Safer Neighbourhoods teams support Local Action Groups. The Local Action Group consists of councillors, residents and other professionals from a variety of backgrounds. They wmeet every two to three months to discuss the concerns facing the local community around crime and anti-social behaviour, and set the priorities they wish the local police team to tackle. They also get involved in working with the police team and local partner agencies such as the council to find lasting solutions.
The future of policing in East Cowes
September 2011
Each area of the Isle of Wight has its own dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods team. East Cowes is served by one Sergeant, two PCs and two PCSOs, who are based in an office on Ferry Road near the floating bridge. Members of the team work shift patterns, which includes early shifts during the day and late shifts in the evenings. They are on regular patrols in the area to focus on tackling local policing priorities decided by members of the public who represent East Cowes. When formed in 2006, Safer Neighbourhoods teams (SNT) across the force were not designed to provide a 24-hour response to emergency calls in a specific area. This service is provided by Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT), which work early, late and overnight shifts. On the Isle of Wight, these teams are based at Newport, Ryde and Shanklin Police Stations. Inspector Terry Clawson is currently the Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector for the west policing sector of the island, which includes East Cowes. He is due to transfer to a different role on the island before the end of the year. Andy Treagus will become the new Inspector focused solely on delivering effective policing in East Cowes and Cowes." Policing on the island is currently divided into two sectors: West and East. From November 2011, the island is due to be split into five geographical sectors: Newport > Ryde > Cowes and East Cowes> East Wight, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor > Rural – covering the West Wight and rural areas in the middle of the island. Each sector will be led by a uniform Inspector who will be in charge of both the Safer Neighbourhoods teams (SNTs) and one of the five Targeted Patrol (TPT) teams. It is expected that the TPT will also support the policing initiatives that their sector inspector is leading. There are no plans to reduce the numbers of police officers and staff in the East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team. Its work has contributed to overall crime levels in the town falling by nearly 25 per cent since the start of April 2011, when compared to the same six-month period in 2010 (April – September). Reports of criminal damage are down by 28 per cent, and reports of vehicle crime have halved.
Action taken in response to your priorities
(2011)
You said....Residents feared that anti-social behaviour around the centre of town would increase, especially during the run up to Christmas and the New Year.
We did.....The East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team (SNT) has continued with high visibility patrols around the town and square during the evenings and weekends, targeting anti-social behaviour and street drinking. As a result, the festive period has passed peacefully without any major incidents reported. However, anti-social behaviour and other crime that impact on the local community remain part of the team’s targeted patrols.
You said....The Local Action Group asked for work to be done to reduce thefts from vehicles and homes in the Sylvan Avenue area.
We did....Prior to Christmas, the East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team (SNT) completed a door-to-door crime prevention leaflet drop in the area. It is hoped this provided local residents with useful advice to help prevent them becoming victims of opportunist thieves. WHAT
You said...Tackle Illegal drug activity on East Cowes Esplanade
We did.....Several drugs operations took place towards the end of last year when arrests were made and suspected supplies of heroin and cannabis were seized. The results of our latest public survey indicated that there were no further issues with drug activity on the Esplanade at that time.
You said....Residents feared an increase of anti-social behaviour and street drinking around Christmas and New Year with people travelling between East Cowes and West Cowes. WHAT We did....The East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team (SNT) has conducted high visibility patrols along the route to the floating bridge. No major incidents were reported.ssss
Police beat newsletters
You can read monthly updates about the work of your local Safer Neighbourhoods team in the following magazines:
The new East Cowes Magazine: www.eastcowesmagazine.co.uk
The Cowes edition of the Isle of Wight Beacon magazine. Go to: http://www.iwbeacon.com/2011.aspx
Local Action Group (LAG) priorities update
(December 2010)
We are reinforcing our active presence on the beat to tackle the concerns of residents expressed through the Local Action Group (LAG).
You said....Illegal drug activity on East Cowes Esplanade should be our top priority
We did....Several drugs operations took place towards of end of the year when arrests were made and suspected supplies of heroin and cannabis were seized. The results of our latest public surveys indicated there were no further issues with drug activity on the Esplanade at that time.
The latest feedback from the LAG suggests anti-social behaviour around the town hall and square should be our next top policing priority.
You said....The community was also concerned about anti-social behaviour (ASB) on the Esplanade.
We did.....We’re continuing a dedicated operation to analyse reports so patterns of ASB and their hotspots can be identified and tackled. The Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership has made a pledge on standards for tackling anti-social behaviour. Read more here: http://www.saferwight.org.uk/antisocialbehaviour.aspx
You said.....Take action against motorists speeding in the town.
We did....We have planned an operation and extra patrols with colleagues from the island’s Roads Policing Unit. This will also target drink drivers and motorists using mobile phones at the wheel. One man was recently reported for summons after he was stopped for driving with no licence or insurance.
A crime prevention campaign continues to help prevent opportunist thefts from vehicles and homes. We’re on extra patrols over Christmas and the New Year to reassure people worried about a possible increase in street drinking during the festive party season.
New local action group & policing priorities
(November 2010)
Working within the Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership, the East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team has held its first L.A.G (Local Action Group) meeting at Bridge House. The ethos behind this group, which consists of a broad base of people from East Cowes, is to determine community priorities for the partnership to resolve. These include three top issues, and a further six, which gradually replace the top three as the first priorities are tackled. This method has been adopted so that ongoing issues are dealt with on a more manageable and achievable scale. Some members of the public have forgotten recently to lock their vehicles, resulting in money being stolen from inside them. We would like to remind everyone to secure their vehicles, even when parking on the drive or close to home. As Christmas approaches, police also encourage residents to lock doors and windows to avoid becoming easy targets for opportunist thieves. Burglary rates are low on the island, but more than 60 per cent of those still committed here take place when there are insecurities at home.We would like to wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas.
New Police Sergeant for East and West Cowes
(August 2010)
There is a new local police officer working with the communities of East and West Cowes to prevent and reduce crime. Sergeant Mike Sizer joined the Safer Neighbourhoods teams for the two towns in August 2010.
Sergeant Sizer was born on the Island but spent most of his formative years in and around Southampton. After 13 years in the RAF, Sergeant Sizer joined Hampshire Constabulary in 1996. He served at Bitterne, completed an attachment to the Force Crime Unit, and worked as a detective based in Eastleigh. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2006 and served at Southampton central police station until September 2009.
Sergeant Sizer and his wife, also a serving police officer, then moved to the Island where he became a Targeted Patrol Team (TPT) supervising officer. He joined the East and West Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods teams towards the end of August 2010.
Sergeant Sizer replaces Sergeant Julie Cocks who has transferred to Shanklin police station to lead one of the Isle of Wight’s Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT), which provide a first response to 999 calls.
Sergeant Mike Sizer said: “My role as Sergeant for East and West Cowes is to help make sure policing responds to the needs and concerns of local residents. The teams are in contact with the community through regular patrols, beat surgeries, plus parish and town council meetings. Residents have consistent opportunities to influence the action we take to tackle their priorities.
“I see Cowes and East Cowes as a role offering a diversity of challenges, and an opportunity for me to lead a team dedicated to keeping both towns as pleasant places to live and work. From my time serving in other parts of Hampshire, I’ve seen what the effects of crime and anti-social behaviour can have on an area and its inhabitants. I’m determined to tackle anyone who believes they can act with impunity or who is willing to undermine the quality of life for others.”
The East and West Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods teams can be contacted by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45 and by e-mailing via eastcowes.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
or cowes.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.
In an emergency, always dial 999. People who wish to remain anonymous can phone the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. For more information about your local Safer Neighbourhoods team, go online to www.hampshire.police.uk
and type in your postcode.
Action we have taken in relation to your previous priorities
(2010)
You said: Tackle anti-social behaviour
We did: Police were called to investigate a suspected arson attack at the allotments behind Vectis Road in March 2010. A large area had been set alight causing damage to trees and other areas inhabited by wildlife. The community provided invaluable information that led to the arrest and charging of a 17-year-old local youth. Residents of Acorn Gardens contacted police to provide us with details of anti-social behaviour and drugs activity. We acted on this information by increasing patrols in the area and executing a search warrant at a local address. We are also responding to reports of anti-social behaviour in Link Road where teenagers are accused of causing problems outside a local youth club. Inquiries are continuing to identify offenders.
You said: Reduce traffic congestion at the ferry terminal.
We did: We informed ferry operator Red Funnel, Isle of Wight Council and East Cowes Town Council. Police can direct traffic, but only in the event of an emergency.
You said: Improve progress in the town’s development
We did: We informed East Cowes Town Council, Isle of Wight Council and the South-East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
Action we have taken in relation to your previous priorities
(2009)
You said....Reduce traffic congestion at the ferry terminal.
We did....We informed ferry operator Red Funnel, Isle of Wight Council and East Cowes Town Council. Police can direct traffic, but only in the event of an emergency.
You said....Improve progress in the town’s development.
We did....We informed East Cowes Town Council, Isle of Wight Council and the South-East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
You said....Deal with problems caused by groups of children and teenagers
We did....Police met with residents, licensees, representatives from Isle of Wight Council and the East Cowes Town Mayor to draw up an action plan. Extra patrols are taking place at times when residents have reported problems. Criminal damage suspects have been identified, targeted and arrested by officers on these patrols. A 15-year-old East Cowes boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with criminal damage in December 2009.
Police continue regular visits to schools and youth clubs in East Cowes to support positive activities that help children and teenagers avoid becoming involved in crime.sss Officers and PCSOs attended a Safer Communities Day at Osborne Middle School in June 2009. The event was organised by Isle of Wight Council Environment and Neighbourhood Officer Gill Mulcahy, one of the key people with whom we work regularly. The day carried messages on personal responsibility, how the community expects children to behave with respect for others, and the consequences of not following those expectations. Magistrates were there to host a mock court case, marking a centenary of youth justice. They demonstrated how the system had evolved for the better as pupils found out what it used to be like in the stocks! The Fire Service had an interactive display with pupils blindfolded, trying to find their way out of a building safely. Isle of Wight Council’s Road Safety Team staged a mock road collision scene, and the Council’s Get Sorted team organised a workshop on the dangers of alcohol. Education on all these topics also demonstrated how each individual can contribute to their community, help others, and by supporting one another, strengthen their community, making it a safer and better place. This is a priority for police this summer as part of our campaign to prevent anti-social behaviour involving all ages.
How you can take action
You can 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. Phone 101 or 0845 045 45 45 or e-mail eastcowes.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
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.
You can also see how we are performing against a key set of criteria: Link to East Cowes Neighbourhood Performance page
How to contact Sergeant Mike Sizer and the East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT)
Cowes Police Station, Birmingham Road, Cowes, PO31 7BH.
Phone: 101 or 0845 045 45 45. E-mail: eastcowes.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Online links for partner organisations in the East Cowes area:
East Cowes Town Council
http://www.iwight.com/parishcouncils/parishcouncilsdetail.aspx?id=8
Whippingham Parish Council
http://www.iwight.com/parishcouncils/parishcouncilsdetail.aspx?id=33
Medina Housing Association
http://www.spinnakergroup.co.uk/Medina/
