Projects
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.
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
Halloween posters warning off unwelcome trick or treat callers are now available.
The posters can be downloaded and printed off (below) and then 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.
Mini Moto Enforcement Campaign
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)
Campaign to Reduce Street Begging
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.
Reducing Arson
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.
Caring for the Elderly
In March 2008 Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership hosted a Caring for the Elderly event at the Ramada Hotel, Matson.
National Crime Reduction Officer, Marilyn Barrett, advised carers and practitioners who work with elderly and vulnerable clients of the practices and crime patterns of distraction burglars and how these atrocious crimes can be prevented. Leanne Town from Severn Trent Water Authority advised listeners that there is now “no such thing as the man/woman from the water board” as the water board no longer exists. Bogus callers often use this guise to gain entry to homes in order to steal from their vulnerable residents.
Martin Bruton from Gloucestershire Trading Standards followed with information on how to avoid rogue traders and the morning continued with advice on the City Council Security Grant Assistance for the elderly and help for victims from Victim Support. Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chris Baynham gave fire safety advice which included the need for an exit strategy in the event of a fire in the home and Mohammed Ginwalla informed people of welfare benefits available for the elderly to claim and offered assistance with completion of applications.
The morning concluded with advice on support available in Gloucester to empower elderly people to prevent distraction burglaries from happening to them, including giving talks to community groups. For further information about the event or on any of the topics, please telephone 01452 396984.
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.ukfor 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 CDRP took part in a huge publicity campaign in 2007 to raise awareness of Domestic Violence to let the public know that the Police do take offences seriously and there will be a zero tolerance approach to perpetrators. Victims should be aware that independent help and advocacy is available through the 24 hour helpline of the Domestic Violence Support and Advocacy Project - Tel: 01452 500115.
Click here to access poster from the recent Domestic Violence Awareness campaign and click here to download the same sex domestic violence poster.
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 48 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.
The CDRP have led on several campaigns around binge drinking starting with Nightsafe in 2004 targeting 18 - 24 year old males and the follow up at Christmas 2005 and in the World Cup 2006) as well as Challenge 21.
Click here to download a Challenge 21 poster.
Gloucester's Licensed Victualler's Association are always very supportive of sensible drinking campaigns. On Valentine's Day 2007 nightclubs in Gloucester gave out "pink handbags" to young women with advice on sensible drinking in order to stay safe. The advice included information about keeping warm on a night out, drink spiking, safe sex and safe transport home from a venue. Click here to download a PDF of the leaflet inside the pink handbags.
City Safe
On 21st February 2008 Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership launched City Safe, an initiative set to enhance the safety, atmosphere and appearance of our city, making it an even more enjoyable place to live, work and visit. The project was as a result of extensive research into best practice across the world.
A host of organisations including Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire Trading Standards, Gloucestershire Highways, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service and the Licensed Victuallers Association all signed the Memorandum of Understanding – a commitment that they will work together more closely than ever. The partners will work together to achieve their agreed goal of a safer city by developing new strategies to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and alcohol related violence. Ideas already outlined include clamping down on underage drinking, banning yobs from all city centre pubs and issuing trouble makers with acceptable behaviour contracts and, if necessary anti social behaviour orders.
Our photo shows Cllr Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council signing the up to City Safe with colleagues from partner agencies who are also party to the memorandum of understanding.
Increase the Peace
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.
Substance Action Group
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. Through Home Office Safer and Stronger Communities Initiative and Basic Command Unit Funding, the CDRP assist with support to Gloucester Emergency Accommodation Resource - GEAR - for their Day Centre to Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS) for an outreach worker, and towards the Community Integration Project, a provision of training and support for substance users and ex users.
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 Neighbourhood Management Group
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 complete four street based plans to address local issues, consulting with residents before and after improvement actions have been completed. It is hoped that neighbourhood working in those areas 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.
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.