Concerns about drug dealing, money laundering and the whereabouts of Uppingham's police constable were put to the police and crime commissioner at a special meeting last night (Wednesday, April 30). 

Uppingham Town Council had invited commissioner Rupert Matthews (Con) along as a guest  to the annual town meeting to answer questions from residents after a number of concerns about anti-social behaviour and drug issues in the town had been raised over recent months. 

The Conservative commissioner, who is in the middle term of office, has responsibility for setting the priorities of the Leicestershire Police force, as well as hiring and firing the chief constable. Leicestershire Police currently has an interim chief. 

At the meeting a number of residents made their concerns about crime and the lack of visible policing clear. 

One told him the only time she had seen the town's new dedicated police officer was when he was on a local green taking a selfie. 

She said: "You talk about Uppingham being low level crime but Uppingham is a rat run for the drugs. We've got the A47, the A6003, have you ever stood on Ayston Road, or the road outside the Co-op? I can even give you the number plates. They stop and a lad of 14 or15 jumps in and then jumps out of this nice BMW, which goes speeding off. We've got drugs, they're sniffing coke in the church yard and if you're asking me how I know this, it's because I walk around Uppingham. I never see a policeman or community police officer. 

"It's not going to be low crime if you don't get on top of it."  

The commissioner said police officers are trained to use social media, although he would find out where the new police constable has been since he was assigned to the town. 

Another resident raised concerns about three businesses in the town that people were concerned were money laundering.  

She said: "We've got concerns about three premises and a lot of people are concerned about money laundering. 

"What's going on there? We have never had any concerns like this in all the time I have lived in Uppingham.?" 

The town council's chairman David Ainslie said the concerns were held widely in the town and although the commissioner could not talk about operational activities, they would like him to get involved. 

The commissioner said he would report the concerns directly to the police's financial investigations team. 

Another resident brought up the issue of hare coursing, saying the police were 'understandably' scared of dealing with the culprits. 

At the meeting Mr Matthews talked about the issue of local government reorganisation and its impact on the police, making a 'sales pitch' that if Rutland was reorganised with Leicestershire councils as government had made it clear that police would realign along the new local government areas. He said if Rutland joined with South Kesteven, as is one option, it would then be likely served by Lincolnshire Police. 

The meeting at the town hall also heard from staff from Rutland County Council who are in charge of the library renovations. They said Uppingham Library will be reconfigured to create more space, with a new kitchen and repairs to the roof, plus a new access. The contract to do the works is out to tender and the officers said the work should be finished by Christmas.