Wednesday, 15 October 2008
On this page you will be able to read all about the new community safety initiatives in which the Safer Doncaster Partnership is involved, in order to make Doncaster a safer place to live, learn, work and play.
There is already lots going on and even more in the pipeline so stay tuned for news updates from the Safer Doncaster partners.
March marks the Home Office’s national Domestic Violence month. Coinciding with the awareness month, The Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre has this month [March 2008] relaunched its helpline service. The not-for-profit organisation offers free confidential and counselling to people who have experienced rape or sexual abuse at any time in their life and the helpline – 01302 328555 – enables residents to access this support at the other end of the phone.
The helpline is open at the following times:
• Mondays – 5 to 7pm
• Tuesdays – 9.30 to 10.30am
• Thursdays - 12 to 1pm
Or for further information about counselling and support residents can contact 01302 360421.
Domestic Violence is not acceptable under any circumstances and through its partnership work the Safer Doncaster Partnership is committed to making sure that victims are given the support they need and that people who commit domestic violence are bought to justice.
From a specialist Domestic Violence Court that makes it easier for witnesses to go through the court process to a Sanctuary Scheme, that enables victims to stay, and feel, safe in their homes there is a wealth of work taking place across the Borough to support those at risk.
For more information about the support that is available visit www.dvforum.co.uk
In an emergency situation dial 999.
Doncaster has had Respect now for one year! Since receiving the Respect status from the Government last January the Council has introduced many new initiatives to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour head on.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, said: “I am delighted to see that we are continuing to make a real difference in tackling anti-social behaviour and that people’s perception that it is a serious problem in Doncaster is decreasing.
“Being awarded ‘Respect’ means that the Government recognises that the Council is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. As part of this commitment we introduced a Family Intervention Project (FIP) in July and since then it has been working intensively with those families whose anti-social behaviour is impacting most significantly on local communities.”
Increased activity around parenting has also been supported by the appointment of two Respect Parenting Practitioners and a ‘Super Nanny’ who are delivering parenting programmes in schools alongside running parenting groups out in the community.
In November, the Council's organisation that manages its Council housing – St Leger Homes of Doncaster, also got on board by adopting the Respect Standard for Housing Management, demonstrating its commitment to clamping down on the anti-social behaviour of its tenants.
Mayor Winter continued: “The introduction of the FIP programme and parenting practitioners have shown that by tackling the problem at its root cause, it is possible to reduce the impact of anti-social behaviour not only on individuals and families but the whole community, which is how we can really make a difference.”
The Council has also continued its commitment to using all of its tools and powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Work over the last year includes:
• The introduction of six more Designated Public Place Orders to tackle drink related anti-social behaviour across the Borough – this takes the total number of DPPOs to eight.
• Continued use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders(ASBOs) where appropriate and individual Support Orders (ISOs). Doncaster is recognised as an area of good practice in relation to ISOs
• Use of Fixed Penalty Notices and Penalty Notices for Disorder, dispensing justice much more swiftly
• Continued award winning work around noise nuisance and nuisance motorbikes by the Council’s Environmental Health Team and its weekend party patrol.
• The continued work of the FLAG team whose proactive work removes more than 70 per cent of graffiti before it is reported by the public.
• The introduction of a criminal damage poster campaign in association with Crimestoppers which encouraged residents to report the offenders of particular blights across the Borough.
• The Neighbourhood Response Team continue to respond to nightly incidents of criminal damage between the hours of 7pm and 6am.
The Safer Doncaster Partnership has launched an online version of its successful TV network, which will enable residents to access community safety information from their homes or office, via the world-wide-web.
The partnership introduced its network of plasma screens two years ago, and since then has broadcast community safety messages and other information to over 58,000 residents of Doncaster every week.
The screens, which are located in venues such as supermarkets and Doctor’s surgeries, broadcast a combination of professionally filmed footage and text to provide information to residents about the work of the Safer Doncaster Partnership and how it is tackling crime across the Borough.
Now, the partnership is able to make all of this information available on line, through the www.doncaster.gov.uk website and those of its other partner agencies including South Yorkshire Police, St Leger Homes, Doncaster PCT and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. At the click of a button, people will be able to access all of the video content of the TV Network, as well as more detailed community safety information and important contact numbers.
A new multi-faith crime fighting initiative, entitled Worship Watch, has been launched by the Safer Doncaster Partnership with the aim of reducing the impact of anti social behaviour and criminality at all places of worship across the Borough.
The scheme involves all 120 places of worships in the Borough, including churches, temples and mosques. Thought to be the first multi-faith programme of its kind in the country, South Yorkshire Police is already keen to role out the scheme across its other three districts.
An initiative of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, which includes South Yorkshire Police and Doncaster Council, the initiative also incorporates Crimestoppers, Doncaster College and clerics and members of all faith denominations across Doncaster.
Detective Supt Bill Hotchkiss explained: “Places of worship across Doncaster including Churches, Temples and Mosques are regularly subject to lead thefts and anti social behaviour such as vandalism.
“These buildings are situated in the heart of our neighbourhoods and communities so this ‘good neighbour’ scheme encourages local residents and worshippers to keep a watchful eye on them and to report any suspicious behaviour to the Police or Crimestoppers.”
The Safer Neighbourhood Teams are involved in the rollout of the programme and are assisting with erecting signage and delivering letters of introduction to places of worship and its neighbouring properties.”
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, continued: "I am delighted that once again Doncaster is leading the way with the introduction of such an innovative crime fighting initiative.
“By enlisting the support of all places of worship irrespective of faith and through working together with partner agencies and residents we are sending out the message to criminals that crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”
You can anonymously report a crime by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or contacting South Yorkshire Police on 0114 2 202020.
Still nicking designers labels?…How about being labelled a thief for life? That was the winning concept that 14 year old Ryan Godfrey from Conisbrough came up with to win a poster competition which encouraged Doncaster’s young people to think about the consequences of shoplifting.
Organised by Doncaster Council in partnership with South Yorkshire Police and the Frenchgate Centre, the idea behind the poster campaign was to prevent young people from shoplifting by getting them to illustrate that shoplifting is a crime with serious consequences.
The message to car thieves is beware as the Safer Doncaster Partnership sets up a pro-active team to tackle vehicle crime across Doncaster.
The team, consisting of a Detective Sergeant and four Police Officers, has gone into operation this week and will be working proactively in hot spot areas across the Borough targeting theft from and theft of vehicles. The Home Office has also given the team £10,000 of funding which will contribute to its police operations.
Detective Superintendent Bill Hotchkiss said: “Following on from Operation Impact the creation of a special vehicle crime unit signals to car thieves that there is still nowhere to hide.
“The team will continue using many of our innovative initiatives such as the Trap Car and SmartWater as well as targeting prolific offenders whilst promoting and reminding residents about simple security techniques that they can adopt to ensure their car does not become the next victim.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership also praised the creation of the new team commenting: “We are sending out the message to criminals that vehicle crime will not be tolerated and that they will be caught and prosecuted.
“It is also an opportunity to remind residents that they can still take advantage of free or discounted SmartWater, a proven deterrent, which can be used to mark high value items such as satellite navigation kits and in car entertainment systems. For more information call 01302 736000.”
Last October, thousands of residents of all ages across the whole Borough took part in activities and joined forces with local agencies to say no to crime and anti social behaviour, during ‘Not in my Neighbourhood Week.’
Everyone got onboard to support their local Safer Neighbourhood Teams from the Mayor of Doncaster and Doncaster Council Cabinet members to residents, TARAs, Neighbourhood Watch Groups, Community Partnerships, Doncaster NDC and St Leger Homes.
From Monday October 15 until Sunday October 21 here is a glimpse of what took place:
In the East 2590 pupils aged 7-11 were given a presentation about Operation Mischief
74 residents in Thorne, Moorends and Stainforth showed support for No Cold Calling Zones
Throughout the week in Balby and Hexthorpe 315 people were engaged in positive activity from young Mums to elderly residents.
115 drivers were warned of their speed outside local schools in the South
In Hyde Park as part of a community clean up over 30 tons of household items and waste from fridges and mattresses to tyres and old TVs were collected.
In Intake and Wheatley throughout the week the neighbourhood team conducted 36 litter and dog fouling patrols.
126 visits to activities in Highfields by young people aged 6 – 16. These activities include Boxing, Dance, Drama, Multisports and Drop in activities
In Mexborough alone, 113 residents signed up to SmartWater on a single day whilst the team was out and about in the Town Centre.
It’s official. Doncaster is a safer place to live, as the latest statistics for the past six months reveal that crime across the Borough is down by 15 per cent.
Crime across all categories from criminal damage through to domestic burglary and vehicle crime is down resulting in a whopping 15.6 per cent reduction compared with the partnership’s 2006/07 overall crime average.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, explained: “I am absolutely delighted with this news, it is the outcome of six months hard work by the Safer Doncaster Partnership and our frontline staff who are committed to making a difference in our neighbourhoods.
“In April the Home Office challenged us to reduce overall crime in Doncaster by 6 per cent in the first six months of 2007/08, compared to our 2006/07 average. A decision was taken to set a higher 10 per cent reduction target, to be reached by the end of September 2007 which we have more than met by achieving a staggering 15.6 per cent reduction.
“This achievement demonstrates our zero tolerance to crime here in Doncaster and reinforces the message that crime and the fear of crime is falling across our Borough. We are determined to improve on these results even further to make Doncaster the safest town to live work and visit.”
Superintendent Richard Tweed from Doncaster Police added: “Hitting a 15.6 per cent reduction in crime is a phenomenal achievement to everyone involved and demonstrates what it is possible to achieve by excellent partnership working. We are committed to continuing this excellent work and the next six months will be focused on maintaining this excellent progress.”
Over 20 local retailers have made a ‘Smart’ move by pledging their support to the Safer Doncaster Partnership’s drive to make Doncaster a SmartWatered Borough, by encouraging their customers to use the revolutionary property marking system.
In the first week of a new initiative to target retailers of high-risk items such as household electrical equipment, computers, musical instruments and mobile phones, staff at over 20 local retailers distributed fact sheets, leaflets and posters to their customers, advising them of the benefits of using SmartWater to protect their new items.
Several of the stores have also taken advantage of the availability of free SmartWater business kits, which have been provided through New Deal for Communities (NDC).
Maximum Impact on Crime continued last September with a second blitz on crime in the East of Doncaster.
From truancy patrols, to speed checks, the introduction of no cold calling zones, to neighbourhood clean ups it was another busy week for members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
The multi-agency operation involved partners from the Safer Doncaster Partnership including Doncaster Police, Doncaster Council, Doncaster PCT, St Leger Homes and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The week resulted in 71 arrests, the seizure of £95,000 of cash and £105,000 of stolen goods. Six children were stopped and returned to school as part of a truancy patrol whilst over 30 vehicles were added to the DVLA database and a £500 fine was issued for the use of Red Diesel.
The drive to reduce the number of house burglaries across Doncaster will be boosted next week when partners from the Safer Doncaster Partnership take part in a national awareness campaign.
Saturday August 25, marks the start of National Home Security Week, an awareness week that encourages home owners to think about simple home security measures to help prevent and reduce crime.
The Safer Doncaster Partnership is currently rolling out the country’s largest SmartWater initiative and during Home Security Week, members of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be out in their neighbourhoods encouraging those residents, who have yet to do so, to take advantage of the free property marking scheme.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership explained: “As a resident of Doncaster, there is one simple way you can help protect your household property and that is by signing up to SmartWater, a DNA style property marking device that can be traced back to you, should it ever be stolen. It also links the offender to the scene of the crime and is therefore having dramatic results in our catch and convict rates.”
SmartWater is currently offered free to flood victims across the whole Borough and residents who live in NRF areas of Doncaster, which include: Woodlands, Bentley, Highfields, Balby, Hexthorpe, Lower Wheatley, Hyde Park, Town Centre, Denaby Main, Edlington, Mexborough, New Rossington, Stainforth, Moorends.
St Leger Homes and Doncaster New Deal for Communities (NDC) have also recently pledged their support to the SmartWater scheme which means that all their tenants and residents can now receive SmartWater for free of charge.
SmartWater has already contributed to a 13.5 percent reduction in crime in areas of Doncaster. For more information contact Doncaster Council on 01302 736000 or email smartwater@doncaster.gov.uk.
The proactive licensing team is made up of Council and Police staff who work together to make sure that Doncaster’s off licences and licensed premises are aware of the law and their duty to act responsibly when selling alcohol.
In just one year the team has proactively visited 450 licensed premises and issued 191 written warnings. Ten premises have been placed into the review procedure and three have had their licences revoked, after failing numerous test purchases for selling alcohol to minors.
Alongside test purchasing the team also reviews any anti-social behaviour incidents that may have arisen following the sale of alcohol from those premises.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, said: “This proactive work is having a big impact on reducing underage drinking and reducing anti-social behaviour in Doncaster. All licensed premises have a duty to obey the law and to ensure that their employees are educated about the consequences that they may face if they are found to be serving underage drinkers.”
Superintendent Richard Tweed from South Yorkshire Police continued: “Fifty five percent of all violent crime is alcohol related, so the work of this team is key to tackling and reducing alcohol related crime across the Borough.
“It also demonstrates our partnership approach to tackling crime here in Doncaster and that by working together we are able to make Doncaster safer.”
If you are aware of any licensed premises in Doncaster that serves minors or contributes to anti-social behaviour you can report them by contacting South Yorkshire Police on 0114 2 20 20 20.
Residents across the Borough have shown overwhelming support for the introduction of six new designated public place orders (DPPO), and we are pleased to announce that last month these applications were approved by the Council.
Following this approval, DPPOs in Armthorpe, Balby and Hexthorpe, Barnby Dun, Bentley, Edenthorpe, Kirk Sandall, Rossington, and Stainforth are now being enforced by the Safer Neighbourhood teams. These areas will be marked by lamp post signs alerting residents that they are in a DPPO area.
DPPOs provide the Police with the power to request a person to stop drinking alcohol in the specified place if they are causing a nuisance. In the event of the person refusing to do so, the Police can confiscate their alcoholic drinks, issue them with a fine, or even place them under arrest.
There are already two existing DPPOs in Mexborough and the Town Centre.
During the four week consultation period the Council heard back from many residents across the areas who all gave their support and backing to the plans.
Residents Alden and Julietta Barlow commented: “This is an absolutely brilliant idea! In fact, we would love to see all of Doncaster borough's streets become a ‘booze-free’ zone.”
Inspector Colin Lomas from the East Safer Neighbourhood Team explained: “The DPPO is not an outright ban on outdoor drinking, it is a measure we must take to control anti-social drinking and the violent and disruptive behaviour it often brings. The approval of these further applications demonstrates to our residents that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and are working hard to tackle the problem at its root cause.”
For more information go to www.doncaster.gov.uk or contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Monday 25 June, saw the launch of the first National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Awareness Week, a national week supported by the Home Office which aimed to educate and inform people about local treatment and substance misuse services.
The Safer Doncaster Partnership had got onboard the campaign and aimed to use the week to raise awareness of the good work that is being done in Doncaster and the different types of treatment that are available to tackle drug and alcohol misuse.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, explained: “During Treatment Week we will be informing residents about our local treatment services in a bid to encourage them to asses their own or a family member’s lifestyle, if they think that they may have a drug or alcohol problem. From early intervention work through to structured day care programmes and holistic therapy there is wealth of help available. Seeking information on treatment is the first step in tackling the problem.”
During Treatment Week, the Safer Doncaster Partnership held an open day at New Beginnings in Balby, on Thursday June 28 from 11am until 3pm, when residents could find out more about the different types of treatment and help that are available.
The event also enabled residents to see the diverse types of activities which take place at New Beginnings which includes arts and crafts, such as building bird boxes and screen printing, alongside complimentary therapy, cookery music and DJ skills.
From 1pm clients served guests with a special lunch buffet, demonstrating their culinary skills and there was also be an alcohol free bar.
For further information about the open day contact New Beginnings on 01302 571240.
This week [Wednesday June 20. 2007] the Safer Doncaster Partnership was invited to showcase its innovative work in tackling vehicle crime and burglary at the National Community Safety Conference held in Sheffield.
Demonstrating its work to top community safety professionals from across the country, the hands on workshop demonstrated the effectiveness of initiatives such as SmartWater, the Trap Bandit and the Trap Car.
Sgt Kevin Drewett from South Yorkshire Police’s Crime Prevention Team presented the workshop. He explained: “We welcomed the opportunity to show other community safety professionals how we are doing things in Doncaster.
“SmartWater is really making a difference helping to reduce burglary in certain areas of the borough by 13.5%.
“As well as rolling out the country’s largest ever SmartWater initiative we have also been innovative in not only using it to mark residents’ property but to help us link burglars to the scene through an undercover trap car and trap bandit machine which are hooked up to a SmartWater spray. These innovative methods have been particularly successful in leading to the conviction of many of the borough’s most prolific offenders.”
South Yorkshire Police is part of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, a statutory body comprising of representatives from the Police, Local Authority, Health Authority and other agencies who are working together to reduce crime and disorder in Doncaster.
SmartWater is available for free to residents living in NRF areas of Doncaster. For more information call 01302 736000 or email smartwater@doncaster.gov.uk
Through the Mayor’s commitment to cleaner streets and safer neighbourhoods and the work of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, there is a wealth of work going on across the Borough to help people feel safer in their neighbourhoods and tackling drug abuse is one such area. This year’s Tackling Drugs Awards provided the opportunity for members of the public to recognise, reward and celebrate the work of individuals and teams who are really making a difference here in Doncaster. Anyone can nominate a drugs worker or team for the awards, whether they are colleagues or friends and family members of current or ex-service users.
Mayor Martin Winter, Chair of the Safer Doncaster Partnership, explained: “I am pleased that we are launching this year’s awards at the Keepmoat Stadium – Doncaster’s new community stadium – as it was always the aim that it would become a focal point of the community, for all residents to enjoy.
“There is some fantastic work going on in Doncaster which is really helping make a difference to people’s lives. I would urge residents to nominate their friends or colleagues for their commitment to the community as it would not only reward their personal efforts but really put Doncaster on the map for its continued work in making the Borough a safer place to live.
“Tackling Drugs Day is also the perfect opportunity for Partnership to announce that latest figures reveal that more people than ever are entering Doncaster’s Drugs Intervention Programme (DIP), which is the government’s national initiative to help adult drug-misusing offenders out of crime and into treatment.”
As part of its work in the Safer Doncaster Partnership, South Yorkshire Police has unveiled a new kit for tackling vehicle crime.
Enlisting the help of residents in the fight against car crime the kit, which has been developed by the crime prevention team, aims to provide residents with some simple tools and advice for preventing vehicle crime.
The Car Security Kit costs just one pound and is available from local police stations and Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
It includes a permanent UV marker, for marking car parts and valuables with a postcode and house number. Invisible to the eye, this will increase the chance of Police recovering property should you become a victim of crime. It also includes socket head grub screws complete with Allen key which will enable residents to secure their car stereo. This protection will make the unit far harder to remove, and any would-be-thief, will have to spend far more time at the scene of the crime, increasing their chances of discovery and capture. Thirdly it contains two ‘Screwed Up’ window warning labels which will act as a deterrent to the thief not to attack the car in the first place. The accompanying information leaflet also doubles up as a record for registering important car security details including useful security numbers.
Doncaster College has become one of the first major organisations in the town to have its equipment sprayed with SmartWater to deter burglars.
The College is spraying its computers, plasma screens, phones, printers and other valuable items with the colourless, odourless liquid which security marks property with a unique DNA-style chemical formula. Invisible to the naked eye, it glows under ultra-violet light.
Brian Gilbride, the College’s Security Supervisor, said: “It is a proven deterrent to criminals. I definitely think burglars will think twice about stealing equipment from the College if they know we have been SmartWatered.
Sergeant Kev Drewett, of the Crime Reduction Unit, at South Yorkshire Police, said: “We are delighted that Doncaster College is onboard with the SmartWater initiative, all schools across the borough are now SmartWatered and it is great that the College is following their lead, they are one of the borough’s first major organisations to invest in the security marking scheme – which has already proven to reduce burglary by 13.5% in certain areas of Doncaster.
Doncaster’s Domestic Violence Working Party (DDVWP) has launched its new website a comprehensive portal to the services and advice that are available locally to aid victims, and family and friends of domestic violence. Its forum also enables agencies and workers involved in domestic violence to discuss best practice and to offer advice to residents seeking help.
Doncaster’s Domestic Violence Party is a multi-agency working party chaired by the Council which aims to drive forward and support initiatives for victims of domestic violence. Partners include South Yorkshire Police, Doncaster Women’s Aid and South Yorkshire Victim Support.
The Safer Doncaster Partnership (SDP) is urging residents to tackle mobile phone theft by registering with a website database that records details of phone ownership.
Immobilise [www.immobilise.com] is the world’s largest free register of possession ownership and searchable register of stolen goods and blocked mobile phones. The website is the only ownership registration service supported by all the UK Police forces and the mobile phone industry.
By setting up an Immobilise account residents can record any registered mobile phone as lost or stolen and this information instantly appears on the Police National Stolen Equipment Database, an online checking service which is used by South Yorkshire Police to trace owners of stolen property. It also reports it to your network so they can block the SIM card and the IMEI number.
You can also register other valuable possessions or assets on Immobilise, go to www.immobilise.com
Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Police have been successfully putting the brakes on the nuisance and noise pollution caused by illegal motorcycles, through a series of joint operations which have been taking place across the borough.
January traditionally sees a rise in the number of noise complaints caused by illegal motorcycles, due to an increase in bikes bought as Christmas presents however both the Council and the Police have refused to rest on their laurels and are continuing to crack down on illegal motorcyclists.
To highlight its commitment to stopping noise pollution caused by illegal motorcycles, Cllr Exelby Doncaster Council's Cabinet Member for Crime and Public Safety made a 'hard hitting' statement when he went down to Doncaster Motor Spares to crush many of the illegal bikes which have been recently seized by the Council and Police, warning riders of the hard line that is being taken to reduce anti-social behaviour in the community.
