West Dereham Parish Council

Following on from a successful campaign of reassurance and policing presence in the town, Kings Lynn officers continue to patrol the streets.

The operation, which was first launched during the Christmas period, saw a significant reduction in retail theft in and around the town centre. It was also welcomed by shoppers and business owners alike who were able to have any policing concerns addressed.

“During the Christmas campaign we became aware of issues of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) around the bus station and are currently implementing several strategies to resolve the problems.”

The Kings Lynn town centre Policing Team can be seen at their monthly Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) on the first Tuesday of every month at the Borough Council on Chapel Street.

Alternatively, you can meet with officers on Monday 30 January in Sainsbury’s in the Vancouver Centre between 2.30 and 4.00pm to discuss any concerns you may have.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fail-to-stop collision in King’s Lynn yesterday morning (Thursday 19 January 2017).

It happened at about 10.30am in the car park at Tesco at Hardwick near the parent and toddler bays when a three-year-old boy was hit by a passing 4×4. The vehicle, described as being dark coloured, failed to stop at the scene.

The boy was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn for treatment to a broken leg. He has since been discharged.

Officers are keen to trace the driver of the 4×4 and are would like to hear from anyone who witnesses the incident or has information concerning the driver.

Witnesses should contact PC Louise Manning at Swaffham Roads Policing on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

More than 2,600 people were breathalysed in Norfolk and Suffolk during the Christmas drink drive campaign with 224 drivers failing.

The month-long campaign targeted drivers getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Additional patrols and roadside checks were carried out with Norfolk have a 6.2% fail rate while Suffolk’s was 10.7%.

In Norfolk 1,320 tests were carried out (424 following collisions) with 82 drivers providing positive readings (61 male and 21 female). Thirty-five drivers failed drug tests (32 male and 3 female).

In Suffolk 1,329 tests were carried out (450 following collisions) with 142 drivers providing positive readings (122 male and 20 female). Forty-three drivers failed drug tests (37 male and 6 female).

Chief Inspector Kris Barnard, head of the joint Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit, said: “It’s always disappointing to see that people are still prepared to take the risk and get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs, although it is a minority.

“Dozens of people caught during the campaign would have started 2017 with a minimum 12 to 18 month driving ban, which will have massive implications on their professional and social lives.

“We target drink drivers all-year round and my plea to motorists considering getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs is don’t – it’s simply not worth the risk.”

During the 2015 campaign 3,349 drivers were tested with 262 drivers providing positive readings in total for both counties. In Norfolk 1,429 tests were carried out with 90 drivers failing while in Suffolk 1,920 tests were carried out with 172 drivers failing the test.

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green, said: “It is clear some drivers still don’t grasp the fact that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and unacceptable and a selfish thing to do. I attach great importance as Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner to keeping our roads safe by closely working with Norfolk Police and partner agencies.

“It is just not worth the risk and should not be tolerated by the community. We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe. Do yourself a favour, do everyone else a favour and don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs and don’t let your friends or family do so.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Every Christmas our message is the same and every year sadly there are still drivers that do not take heed, I find this extremely disappointing.  It beggars belief that despite the obvious dangers, too many drivers still take to the road under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“All drivers need to understand that drink driving risks lives and the lives of others, it is grossly irresponsible and selfish.

“Too many people lose their lives on our roads and that’s why we have invested in extra roads policing – we’re doing all we can to keep our roads safe, we need everyone out on our county’s road to do the same.”