The main function of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) is to reduce crime and the fear of crime in Gloucester. We do this by working in partnership by means of a number of community based measures.
Following the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, CDRPs were set up across the country. The statutory members are the Local Authorities (Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council), the Police, the Police Authority, the Fire Authority and the Primary Care Trust. However, the non statutory members include the Probation Service, Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Neighbourhood Watch Association, the Crime Prevention Panel, the University of Gloucestershire, local schools, businesses, voluntary and community groups and every resident in the city - we all have a responsibility to try to prevent and reduce crime.
Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership support Gloucestershire Police to keep the county’s children safe online and have been getting involved in the national Think U Know campaign and Safer Internet Day.
As parents we do everything we can to protect our children in the ‘real’ world and this campaign urges us, and our children, to take similar precautions in the online world.
Safer Internet Day, on Tuesday February 9th 2010 aimed to encourage children to take care when communicating with other people on the web and by mobile phone, particularly when they haven't actually met the person they're sending messages to.
The campaign also offered parents guidance on what they need to make sure their children know about using the internet. In particular, it emphasised that the internet is not a private space and that children need to think carefully about the information and pictures they post on their profiles.
There were a number of promotional activities including posters on the city’s buses and on Safer Internet Day itself, the staff of many of the shops and businesses in Gloucester wore T shirts promoting the website www.thinkuknow.co.uk which provides advice and information for young people, their parents and teachers.
The police school’s unit worked with schools and organised various activities to highlight the dangers of the internet. They also provided a number of talks for parents at local schools where parents were given the opportunity to gain some tips on how to help protect their children and also to ask any questions
The internet enables us and our children to quite literally have the whole world at our finger tips. It can take you anywhere, so ask yourself, where are your children tonight?
Staff from Gloucester City Council and Sainsbury's on Safer Internet Day,
a Police Officer gives advice on safe use of the internet to young people in Gloucester
Images projected on to city buildings advising of Safe Internet Use
Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership are supporting Street pastors who are walking the streets of Gloucester city centre from Friday February 5th 2010 at night, to offer a reassuring presence to those out and about.
The group of trained volunteers from local churches are easily identifiable, patrolling anti-social behaviour hotspots in groups of four.
On Friday and Saturday nights, a large number of young people visit the pubs and clubs in Gloucester city centre and their presence can often be intimidating to others.
The street pastors help to create a safer and less frightening environment by diffusing heated situations, helping people get home safely, offering first aid and supporting vulnerable members of our community such as the homeless.
Street pastors compliment the work of the police. Whilst police officers often find themselves rushing from one job to the next, the street pastors have the time to sit down and talk to people at length.
Their presence helps young people feel safer while they are out and about and also help the vulnerable members of our community such as the homeless by offering them somebody to talk to, blankets and cups of coffee.
They are trained in first aid and are able to offer treatment on the street for minor injuries as well as preventing injuries before they occur. They carry free disposable flip flops for women who are walking home in bare feet because they cannot move any further in their high heels.
The street pastors will receive continuous support and training from the police and have the ability to contact officers immediately if they need to alert them to potential problems.
Street pastors patrol the city centre every Friday night between 10pm and 4am
The Partnership, in conjunction with Age Concern Gloucestershire hosted a production of Trickster – the Musical at Gloucester Rugby Club, Kingsholm.
The production, performed by professional actors from the Solomon Theatre Company followed the story of George, once a proud solder, as he battled against conmen and beat the bogus callers. The event was designed to empower older people to refuse strangers entry into their home but was presented in a truly enjoyable manner with a music hall style sing-a-long afterwards.
250 Gloucester residents attended the two performances and enjoyed refreshments afterwards.
Also at the event were the Gloucester Crime Prevention Panel with a display of low cost security measures, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service with advice on fire safety in the home and the Government Office for the South West giving advice on recognising fraudulant loan offers and scams.
Low cost security measures are available for purchase at the Main Police Station, Bearland, Longsmith Street, Gloucester. Click here for details and prices.
In January 2007, Gloucester was awarded the Government 'Respect Action Area' status, which is one of only 40 CDRPs across the country. The scheme is designed to clamp down and tackle the root causes of persistent bad behaviour by working with nuisance families through the Family Intervention Project (FIP). This multi agency project was a new initiative that aims to challenge and change the behaviour of the most problematic families who blight the lives of people living in our communities. The Home Office Department of Children, Schools and Families has pumped around £350,000 into the initiative. Key workers were employed to work with whole families who were at risk of loosing their homes by coordinating the work of all the agencies involved.
The Gloucester FIP has seen enormous success with reduction in ASB, assisting parents with parenting programmes - giving control back to parents, increasing school attendance rates, increasing training and work prospects and giving significant relief for communities where the families live. The result aids to secure stabilised tenancies and reduced attendances by the Police.
In January 2007, Gloucester CDRP was selected to participate in the Home Office "Changing Lives Making Communities Safer" Initiative. The campaign aimed to communicate to local communities the work being done to tackle crime, drugs, anti - social behaviour and alcohol misuse in their areas and the impact it was having. As part of the campaign the Partnership organised specific crime reduction awareness events throughout the year and took part in interviews on local radio. We also worked with residents and services in the Moreland Ward of Gloucester to increase community involvement in influencing service provision and crime prevention.
Following a strategic assessment of the crime situation in Gloucester, a three year delivery plan 2008 – 2011 has been written which will guide the work of the partnership as we endeavour to keep crime at a low level. We want to ensure that our city is a safe, fair, just and thriving community.
The three year delivery plan 2008 – 2011 can be viewed here (pdf 732kb) .
The CDRP have four multi agency action groups to look at different types of crime:
- Anti Social Behaviour Action Group
- Crime Reduction Action Group
- Substance Action Group
- Neighbourhood Management Action Group
The Anti Social Behaviour Action Group includes members from the Community Safety Team, Anti Social Behaviour Unit, Police Officers, the Road Safety Unit, Fire Service and Housing Providers. By taking a multi agency approach, the group seeks to work together to show that anti social behaviour will be tackled, not tolerated. Examples of joint working are the prompt removal of abandoned vehicles, the mini moto enforcement campaign, and an initiative to stop aggressive begging in Gloucester.
Halloween posters warning off unwelcome trick or treat callers are now available.
Click here to download and print a poster that can then be displayed in windows or doors of homes. The posters ask trick or treat callers not to visit.
Halloween can be harmless fun, but sometimes members of the community can become distressed by unexpected callers.
The behaviour of some trick or treaters has also been intimidating and even criminal - in the past there have been incidents of vandalism, damaged property and graffiti.
There are guidelines for parents and young people who plan to trick or treat:
- Parents or a responsible adult should always accompany children to make sure that they stay safe.
- Parents should identify neighbours who are willing to have trick or treat calls.
- Make these neighbours aware of approximately what time you plan to call.
- Discuss with these neighbours what treats are appropriate.
- If money is given, identify a charity for this to be donated to.
- Discuss what 'tricks' are acceptable with your children.
Parents should discourage older children (teenagers) from trick or treating - it is an activity for young children. As a rule, if they are old enough to trick or treat on their own, they are too old to do it.
Click here to download a poster.
Click here to download and print a copy of the Haunter's Code
In the summer of 2006, the Home Office Respect Taskforce provided funding for Gloucester CDRP to participate in a National Enforcement Campaign to stop the illegal and dangerous use of mini motos. The funding enabled the Police to purchase two off road motorcycles that allowed trained officers to apprehend offenders, issue fixed penalty notices and, where necessary, seize mini moto machines. It is illegal to ride a mini moto on the highway or on a public open space - in fact they can only be used on private land with the express permission of the landowner. At the launch of the campaign, a seized mini moto was sawn into pieces with maximum publicity coverage. Information events were held across the city and over a six week period throughout August and beginning of September, several operations were held, leading to the numbers of complaints reducing by two thirds, with continuing success throughout the autumn. Click here to download a PDF of the enforcement poster.
Some mini motos have been seized and destroyed due to illegal use. Police and other agencies need the support of residents to tackle this nuisance.
If you know or have seen someone who you know or believe to be using a mini moto please let us know and tell us:
- The name and address of the owner of the bike
- Where the bike is stored
- When and where the bike is being used (any particular days or times, any particular routes ridden, etc.)
- Any other useful information like a description of those who use the bike and a description of the bike (make, model, colour, etc)
Who Should I Contact?
If you have any of the above information please call:
- Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234
Crimestoppers (anonymously if preferred) on
0800 555 111
> Download the mini moto poster (PDF 298KB)
> Download the mini moto leaflet (PDF 688KB)
In the summer of 2006, the number of complaints of begging and aggressive begging rose in the city.
The city centre police took enforcement action to move the beggars on and where necessary, arrest them. A multi agency approach was taken to resolve the issues and a poster campaign was launched at the beginning on 2007 to ask people not to give money to beggars. Details of the agencies supporting the beggars were circulated to the enforcement officers, the Job Centre, Victim Support Service and the Citizen's Advice Bureau in order to strengthen the network and direct help where it is needed.
The posters asked people not to give money to beggars but to charity as money could be used to purchase drugs or alcohol. Click here to download a PDF of the Street Begging Poster.
The Gloucestershire Arson Task Force is a partnership of the Fire & Rescue Service, Police, Gloucestershire County Council, the six district/borough councils, the Probation Service and the Youth Offenders Service. We have joined forces to fight the causes of arson.
Co-ordinated rapid responses by partner agencies to tackle fly tipping and abandoned vehicles have reduced deliberate rubbish fires by 30% (68 incidents per annum) and derelict vehicle fires by 50% (74 incidents) throughout the three year Crime Reduction Strategy period (2005 – 2008).
The Crime Reduction Action Group strives to reduce domestic and non domestic burglaries, thefts from and of motor vehicles, shoplifting, personal robberies and violent crime (including domestic abuse). Members include officers from the Community Safety Team, Gloucester City Council, Police, Neighbourhood Watch, National Car Parks, Crimestoppers, the University of Gloucestershire, Licensing Officers from the City Council and the Police, and members of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, Accident and Emergency Department of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, the Evening Economy Strategy Group, Domestic Violence Support and Advocacy Project and DVACT.
Under the Home Office Changing Lives Making Communities Safer Initiative, the CDRP held a Burglary Challenge to publicise easy home security measures that we all can take. Click Here
The Community Safety Team's Project Development Officer and the Police's Crime Reduction Officer give joint information sessions and talks to community groups on Personal Safety, Home Security and how to protect against Distraction Burglary. If you would like further information, or to book a talk, please telephone 01452 396984 or email: cdpartnership@gloucester.gov.uk.
The six CDRPs across the county jointly operate a Bogus Callers Helpline where advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the whole year for anyone who has someone knocking on their door that they do not recognise. If it is believed that the person could be in any sort of danger then the police will be called as an emergency. If you have a stranger at your door and you are anxious - telephone the free phone helpline number: 0808 1000 777.
The Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership has also produced some "Nominated Neighbour" cards for the elderly to hold up to their window if they see a stranger at their front door. The card says "I do not recognise you, please call at my neighbours house at no.... and they will verify your identity". If neighbours join together, they can help each other out in checking stranger's details.
In November 2009, the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership hosted a Caring for Older People seminar at the Gloucester Hotel and Country Club, Matson Lane, Gloucester.
Over one hundred carers and practitioners who work with or assist older people attended the event to learn about the ways of the distraction burglar in order that they might encourage their clients and friends to be on the alert when there is a stranger at the door. The advice of the morning was "When in doubt, keep them out!" By using carers and practitioners to pass this important message on to those in their trust, it was hoped that older residents might be encouraged to be diligent without causing unnecessary alarm or fear.
The Partnership encourage the use of the bogus Caller Helpline 0808 1000 777 and the Nominated Neighbour Cards as mentioned above. However, if anyone feels that they are in danger from someone standing at their front door, they should not hesitate to dial 999.
The morning was opened by Chief Superintendent Nigel Avron. Marilyn Barrett, National Crime Prevention Officer from Operation Liberal, advised delegates of the crime patterns and practices of distraction burglars who operate across the country and DC Leigh Bickerdyke related details of a particular success locally in tracking down such offenders including Mark Rhodes who was convicted in June 2009. Rhodes pleaded guilty to 16 offences and admitted a further 53 when he appeared in court.
Above: Leanne Town from Severn Trent Water Authority, Marylin Barrett, National Crime Prevention Officer, Chief Superintendent Nigel Avron and DC Leigh Bickerdyke both from Gloucestershire Constabulary
The message from Leanne Town of Severn Trent Water Authority was that the Water Board ceased to exist in 1989 so if a caller at the door claims to be from the Water Board do not let him into your home.
Trading Standards, Martin Bruton advised "Never agree to having work done as a result of a cold call. Always obtain more than one quote for any work that you want done and check any previous work done in the locality."
Above: Martin Bruton from Gloucestershire Trading Standards
David Harwood of the Care Forum talked about the forthcoming switchover to digital TV. He advised not to go out and buy a new television or aerial as most TV sets can be converted with a digital box and 95% of aerials will work. Therefore if a stranger at the door is offering cut price TV sets or aerials, do not listen to them.
The Crime Prevention Panel is a group of wonderful volunteers who assist the CDRP in many of their community safety events. They also attend the schools around Gloucester, one a month, on a rota, security postcoding bicycles and mobile phones. A bicycle that has been postcoded is less likely to be stolen and if it is stolen and later found by the Police, can be returned to the owner.
The Crime Prevention Panel also supply low cost security products. If you would like some information about home security measures, please access their website on www.gloucestercpp.org.uk for an interactive house and garden information point.
The main issues around violent crime are concerned with Domestic Violence and Alcohol Related Violence on a Friday and Saturday night.
The Police take domestic violence cases seriously and there will be a zero tolerance approach to perpetrators. A new service is now available in Gloucestershire for anyone seeking support with domestic abuse. The Gloucestershire Central Allocation & Referral Point (CARP) will put you in touch with the right service, reducing the need for you to be passed from one person to the next. This should get you the help you need as quickly as possible.
The CARP aims to
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Build a support network for both individuals and agencies
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Supply housing and financial advice
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Keep you safe with safety planning and advice
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Keep your children safe
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Complete risk management and safety planning
For help please ring the CARP on 0845 602 9035.
Click here to download a CARP poster
In March 2010, the Partnership organised a one day conference for strategic leaders of agencies and practitioners from statutory and voluntary agencies to look at Forced Marriage, Honour Based Violence and Female Genital Mutilation, seeking to improve prevention, support and prosecution.
The conference was organised by the Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, including officers from Social Services Adult Care, Safeguarding Board, NHS Gloucestershire, Police, Education and the voluntary sector. It hosted a number of speakers from across the UK, including Karma Nirvana, the Forced Marriage Unit of the Home Office, the Department of Children, Schools and Families, Association of Chief Police Officers, Public Protection Bureau, Crown Prosecution Service, Witness Care Unit, Project Azure from the Metropolitan Police, and an FGM/Public Health Specialist from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.
Forced marriage is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights. The Ministry of Justice report “One year on: the initial impact of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007” has identified gaps in provision that need to be addressed and concludes that there is a need for continuing publicity, training and interagency cooperation and whilst there is a need for action there is a need for caution and understanding of the impact on an application under the Act on a young person.
The most recent estimates from the Home Office predict that 24,000 girls are at risk of Female Genital Mutilation in the UK with up to 3 million girls worldwide undergoing Female Genital Mutilation every year. The practice is very harmful and can cause long-term mental and physical suffering, difficulty in giving birth, infertility and even death.
Click here to download the conference report from 11th March 2010 (3.3mb PDF).
Shopwatch
If an offender is caught shoplifting or behaving in an anti-social way in one of the participating shops in the city then they will be banned not only from that shop but also from all of the other 100 participating shops
Shopwatch works alongside the Radio Link system operating within the city centre, providing retailers with access to a secure website containing images of offenders. Shopwatch members are able to share all of their information on offenders and inform other members if they spot a known offender in the city centre, thus stopping known offenders from having the opportunity to commit further offences.
Many offenders begin by shoplifting and this can then develop into more serious crime, hopefully by taking positive action we can prevent re-offending and their involvement in other criminal offences. The Youth Offending Service and Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service are participating in the scheme so that offenders can be offered support not just given punishment.
There will also be an option to apply for an Anti Social Behaviour Order for the offender, which would mean that if they continued to behave in an anti-social manner and breach their ASBO, they risk the possibility of appearing before a court and receiving further penalties.
The photo shows the Gloucestershire Constabulary’s City Centre Inspector Chris Thorley with the Shopwatch Board chaired by Kingswalk Operations Manager Jason Merritt.
Talented young people from Star 66 youth club have joined some local stars to make a top quality CD of urban music. Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership challenged the gifted performers to write and record some tracks advising listeners of positive messages to do something worthwhile with their lives and to not use guns, not use knives and not use drugs. The result was a brilliant CD of outstanding quality called G-City presents Increase the Peace which is on sale in HMV. The CD was produced by Malaki Paterson of MNP Productions and the whole project was masterminded by Gloucester youth worker Delroy Ellis from Star 66.
The project was launched on 1st March 2008 with the artists performing live in Kings Walk Shopping Centre where singers and dancers attracted such attention that they brought the centre to a standstill at times. A launch party was held at Chequers Bridge Youth Arts Centre in the evening – again with live performances (no miming here!!). Chair of the CDRP Cllr Andy Lewis and rugby star Marcel Garvey presented certificates of achievement to all the young people involved in the project.
Thanks go to Gloucestershire Crimebeat, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucester City Homes and the CDRP for the financial support for the project and to Severn Sound who also supported the work.
Photos show some of the artists performing their tracks for shoppers to hear.
The Gloucester Substance Action Group is made up of members from the Police, the Drug and Alcohol Action Team and all of the agencies across the city who help to provide support or housing to people who are or have been misusing drugs or alcohol and their families.
The CDRP also co-fund the work of the Severn Project working with Priority and Prolific Offenders. Members of the team include Police Officers, a Probation Officer and a Drugs Worker. Working together, and by offering an intensive level of support to the most prolific offenders, the amount of re-offending has reduced dramatically with financial savings to services and residents alike.
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership are very concerned about young people under age 18 accessing alcohol and will be launching a campaign in the early summer of 2009 to warn adults not to buy alcohol for under 18s. Did you know it was an offence to buy alcohol on behalf of under 18s? You could receive an £80 on-the-spot fine or end up in court and be fined up to £5,000.
It is important for parents to know where their children are and what they are doing. It is a common misconception that the only side effect of excessive alcohol is a bad hangover. Young people are more likely to become a victim of crime including serious sexual assault and more likely to have unprotected sex resulting in pregnancy, or a sexually transmitted infection when drunk!
Parents and carers can make a big difference. Here are some simple tips….
- Try not to over-react if a young person drinks against your wishes – try talking about why it happened
- Positive communication with young people reduces risky behaviour
- Set clear boundaries – some drinks or none at all!
- Safety is paramount – know where they are and how they are getting home
- Remember – you are their role model
If you need some advice on a young person’s alcohol use then please contact
Young People’s Substance Misuse Service
Providing intensive 1 to 1 support to young people, under the age of 18, with substance misuse problems.
Tel: 01452 503186
The CDRP have launched a campaign aimed at tackling underage drinking.
The campaign has two aspects – “Don’t Buy 4 U18” and “Challenge 25”. Adults sometimes purchase alcohol for young people under the age of 18 without realising that it is a criminal offence that could lead to an instant £80 fine and also a £5,000 fine in court.
The second part of the campaign is “Challenge 25” whereby if someone attempts to purchase any products that carry an age restriction and appear to be under age 25 years, they will be asked to produce photographic identification. “Challenge 21” was launched in Gloucester in September 2005 and has been very successful with support across pubs and clubs as well as supermarkets and off sales premises. However, as the personal consequences of illegal sales for the member of shop staff are severe, retailer employees requested a program which gave them a greater backing and a higher margin of error in challenging customers for proof of age. Download the Challenge 25 poster here.
The campaign consists of promotional material – posters, shelf edge labels and badges for staff use and was launched at Tesco Store, Quedgeley on Friday 2nd October 2009. The event was attended by CDRP officers from the City Council, City Councillors, the Police Licensing Officer, Crime Reduction Officer and the Safer Community Team, Trading Standards, Young People’s Substance Misuse Services and the Independence Trust.
Our photo shows Police Licensing Officer PC Darren Heath talking to Shardai,Tanischa and Molly from Quedgeley about the dangers of misusing alcohol. Download the Don’t Buy 4 U18 posters (PDF 6.1mb).
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership ran an alcohol awareness quiz to help to raise awareness of the issues of misusing alcohol. The competition is closed now but see below to test your knowledge with the answers.
Alcohol Awareness Week 2009 quiz
1.A can (400ml) of 4.5% lager is equivalent to:
- a.2 plain digestive biscuits (115 calories)
- b.A slice of pepperoni pizza (250 calories)
- c.A small Yorkshire pudding (55 calories)
- d.5 Jaffa cakes (221 calories)
2.Regularly drinking too much alcohol may increase the likelihood of which of the following problems?
- a.Liver cirrhosis
- b.Cancer
- c.Fertility problems
- d.All of the above
3.Which of the following can be factors in a hangover headache?
- a.Dehydration
- b.Malnutrition
- c.Dilated blood vessels
- d.All of the above
4.On Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World what alcoholic drink did he take with him?
- a.Sherry
- b.Ale
- c.Wine
- d.Rum
5.Which country has the highest incidence of binge drinking?
- a.UK
- b.Sweden
- c.France
- d.Germany
6.Alcohol will warm you up if you’re cold.
7.What are the recommended daily sensible drinking guidelines for men and women?
- a.1 unit for women, 2 for men
- b.1-2 units for women, 3-4 for men
- c.2-3 units for women, 3-4 for men
- d.4 units for men and women
8.Which age-group is most likely to drink more than eight units a day for men or six for women?
- a.11-15 year olds
- b.16-24 year olds
- c.36-44 year olds
- d.65 and over
9.The best way to avoid a hangover is?
- a.Take a paracetamol before you drink
- b.Don’t drink to excess
- c.Drink milk while you’re drinking alcohol
10.Drinking fizzy drinks will make you feel the effects of alcoholic drinks quicker
11.Men who regularly consume more than the sensible drinking guidelines will:
- a.Produce more testosterone and be more sexually active
- b.Produce less testosterone which can lead to impotence
- c.Produce too much testosterone which can lead to aggression
12.In the state of Alaska is it illegal to give a moose alcohol?
13.How long does it take your liver to process one unit of alcohol?
- a.5 minutes
- b.30 minutes
- c.1 hour
14.How many grams of pure alcohol make up a unit?
15.How many units per day does the Chief Medical Officer recommend that men should not regular exceed?
16.How many units per day does the Chief Medical Officer recommend that women should not regular exceed?
17.If you drink over double the recommended limits for lower-risk drinking, how many times more likely are you to suffer from mouth cancer?
- a.Twice
- b.3 times
- c.5 times
18.How many units are in a large glass (250ml) of 12% ABV (alcohol by volume) wine
19.How many units are in a pint of 3.6% ABV bitter?
20.Drinking alcohol makes you less able to see in the dark.
Answers
1. d,2. d,3. d,4. a,5. a,6. b,7. c,8. b,9. b,10 a.,11. b,12 a,13. c,14. c,15. c,16. a,17. c,18.a,19.b,20.a
The picture shows PC John Rea and PCSO Samantha Knowles with Tesco Store Personnel Manager, Pamela Mitchell presenting store voucher prizes to Mrs Perry and Mark Toseland.
The CDRP also commissioned a drama presentation “Last Orders” to be presented in Gloucester secondary schools. In the autumn 2009, Solomon Theatre performed this powerful presentation which was developed by a team of doctors, police officers, NSPCC professionals and teachers. The performance looks at the consequences of binge drinking by two young girls. Based on true events, it is written in an accessible, hard-hitting style that immediately captured the attention and imagination of its year 9 (13/14 year-olds) target audience.
Through professional actors, students were shown how alcohol affects the way people think – their inhibitions, attitude to risk and ultimately their self-control.
Following the performance, specially designed workshops explored the themes of anti-social behaviour, illegal purchase (including law on alcohol & age-restricted products), attitude to risk and sexual health (including unplanned pregnancy and STIs).
By developing strong and effective resident led structures we will ensure that local people have an influence over public service decision making, resulting in improved service delivery. Increased community engagement and resident involvement with crime reduction partners, will provide an increased level of community intelligence provided to partnership agencies. This process will enable local people to act, take decisions, make changes and take control of their areas, enabling residents to be strong, active and inclusive communities. Gloucester has 12 super output areas that are in the top 10% most deprived areas nationally for Crime and Disorder. Increasing neighbourhood working in those areas will strengthen the community and increase public satisfaction.
Gloucestershire Constabulary has created Safer Community Teams (SCTs) of Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to provide a more responsive local service to our communities – with the aim of making people feel safer where they live and work, of reducing crime and disorder, and of finding long-term solutions to the sort of problems which can blight people’s lives. These teams build up an excellent level of local knowledge and foster close relationships with community members.
SCT officers provide a visible policing presence, deal with a range of community issues and tackle crime, in particular, burglary, car crime and vandalism.
Gloucester City Council set up eight Neighbourhood Partnerships, which give people the opportunity to participate in and determine what service they receive from the various partner agencies. They challenge the agencies to improve their services and meet local needs and empower people to act, take decisions and take control of their communities.
It is the community members of these Partnerships, who determine what priorities the Police should tackle, for example:
- Tackling concerns about antisocial youths and underage drinking
- Reducing drug dealing
- Tackling vehicle crime
- Reducing speeding
The CDRP will endeavour to work with residents, police safer community teams and neighbourhood partnerships in the areas of deprivation to address local issues. It is hoped that this will strengthen the community and increase public satisfaction.
To find out more about the local priorities for your area, please look at the Neighbourhood Policing page on the Gloucestershire Constabulary’s website www.gloucestershire.police.uk. If you would like to get involved with your local policing panel, or have any suggestions for your local Police Officers, please contact them through the website above or telephone on 0845 090 1234 and ask for the SCT Officers from your postcode area.
“Have Your Say”
Safer Gloucester run "Have your say" days in various neighbourhoods in the city. Officers from Gloucester City Council, the Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Gloucester City Homes and other related agencies join with residents, councillors and the Crime Prevention Panel to visit homes in designated roads and ask residents about life and any concerns they may have around crime issues in the area.
All participating residents are offered the opportunity to receive a SmartWater property marking kit and the area then designated as a SmartWater area.
The results are then analysed and actions taken to address resident’s issues. These can include items like deploying a mobile CCTV camera to monitor reported hotspot areas, providing additional youth facilities, or even running proactive police operations.
The full results and details of actions are notified to residents.
Reports to date of "Have your say" days can be downloaded here:
> Matson (PDF 144KB)
> Coney Hill (PDF 164KB)
> Kingsholm (PDF 220KB)
The Partnership also commenced work with the police safer community team at Podsmead to address issues raised at their policing panel meeting: drugs issues, vehicle crime and misuse of quadbikes and mopeds at the field alongside Black Bridge. Local registered owners of mopeds were contacted and offered specialist crime prevention advice and locks. An Easter Eggstravaganza fun afternoon was held at the Rambler's Club and children's entertainment provided whilst parents could find out about crime prevention advice and take part in a crime prevention Easter quiz to win a giant Easter Egg.
A sub group of the Neighbourhood Management Group is the Forest and Gloucester Hate Crime Action Group.
The Forest of Dean and Gloucester CDRPs have joined together to form the Forest & Gloucester Hate Crime & Incident Action Group. It is a member of the Gloucestershire Hate Crime & Incident Strategic Group.
A Hate Incident is defined as:
'Any incident (which may or may not be a crime), which is perceived by the victim or another person to be motivated by prejudice or hate'.
A Hate Crime is defined as;
'Any Hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate'.
Hate crime is a violation of personal and civil rights.
Hate crimes are not only crimes against the targeted victim, but also attacks on communities.
To provide consistency in the recording of hate incidents, the Gloucestershire Constabulary and Gloucestershire Hate Crime & Incident Strategic Group have adopted the following categories by which to group and record incidents;
- Age (including Young and Old)
- Disability (including Mental Health)
- Gender (including Transgendered)
- Race (including Ethnicity)
- Religion or Belief
- Sexual Orientation (including Lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual)
- Any other group identity
We can only take effective action against hate incidents if these crimes are reported, No one has the right to harass, threaten or assault you just because of who you are.
Reporting a Hate Incident or Crime
In the first instance hate crimes should be reported to the police. If you have witnessed or been the victim of a hate crime, do not hesitate to call 999 Or 112 (mobile) for the police and emergency services.
If you still have doubts about exactly where you should report a hate crime that you have either witnessed or experienced, telephone the Hate Crime Report It helpline: 0800 077 8460 for advice.
If you feel that you need support in order to report a hate crime, ask a trusted friend, family member, colleague, teacher, or your GP to help you.
Please download a leaflet here. If you feel that you need support in order to report a hate crime, ask a trusted friend, family member, colleague, teacher, or your GP to help you.
Gloucestershire Race Equality Council
The Race Equality Council for Gloucestershire (GlosREC) aims to provide support, advice, information and representation to individual victims of racial discrimination and racial harassment within Gloucestershire.
Contact details:
GlosREC
15 Brunswick Road
Gloucester GL1 1HG
Telephone: 01452 301290
Email: enquiries@glosrec.org.uk
Website: www.glosrec.org.uk
Sexual Orientation
Gay-Glos
PO Box 171
Gloucester
GL1 4YE
Telephone: 01452 306800
Website: www.gay-glos.org
Hate crime is a violation of personal and civil rights.
Hate crimes are not only crimes against the targeted victim, Hate crime is an attack on our communities.
The Hate Crime Action Group is working to promote awareness and holds awareness campaigns to encourage tolerant and inclusive communities.
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