Community Safety Partnership
Sean Barry
Coordinator of Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership
Neighbourhood Services
Sedgefield Borough Council
Telephone: 01388 816166 Ext 8827
The Partnership aims to:
- To reduce crime across the Borough, increase public confidence and help to make people feel safe on the street and in their home.
- To reveal the extent of domestic abuse in the Borough by increasing public confidence to report incidents and by raising awareness of domestic abuse issues with the ultimate result of reducing incidents of domestic abuse.
- To increase public reassurance, creating sustainable communities where the public feel safe, by addressing anti-social behaviour and quality of life issues.
- To reduce the adverse impact that drugs and alcohol have on individuals and communities in Sedgefield Borough.
SAY 'NO' TO ROGUE TRADERS
Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership working with Durham County Council Trading Standards, and Community Safety Partnerships from around County Durham, set up a registered traders' scheme in 2005.
The scheme was set up in an attempt to stamp out bogus workmen and cold callers who charge extortionate prices for shoddy workmanship and prey on vulnerable members of our communities.
Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership is celebrating the first year of the scheme that has seen nearly 100 local businesses, including painters, decorators, gardeners and locksmiths, signing up.
Glyn Hall, chair of the Partnership said 'The registered traders scheme is an excellent way to help protect the residents of our borough from unscrupulous people who, especially prey on the elderly, and will ensure that we can have confidence in the work that is done on our homes.
"We often hear about so-called trades people who have no real building skills and charge exorbitant prices for sub-standard work. They will target the old or infirm who, cannot tell whether work needs doing or whether it has been completed satisfactorily. They will also insist on cash up-front and leave no details such as receipt or invoice. But if things go wrong there is no form of redress as the 'trader' is not an actual business and there is no way of tracing them."
Mr Walker (80) from Shildon used the scheme when he was locked out of his garage; "My granddaughter gave me a couple of numbers for a locksmith from the Registered Traders website, the first one I phoned said he would be with me within the hour, he did the job quickly and was reasonably priced - and I got a discount for being over 60. I was very impressed and would definitely use the scheme again."
Craig Hudson from Durham Trading Standards said:
"Mr Walker is exactly the type of person that the scheme was set up to help. Many people don't know where to start looking for a reputable trader and are frightened that they are going to be over-charged or receive a shoddy service. All of our traders have been vetted and have a strict code of practice to stick to."
With the onset of the colder weather the Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership is again reminding the public of the dangers of rogue traders.
If you need to find a trader you can find one on www.codurhamrts.org.uk or call Trading Standards on (0191) 383 3589.
If you are a business interested in joining the scheme please write to: Registered Traders Scheme, Durham Trading Standards Service, Annexe Building, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UB requesting an application pack.
USE CAR AMNESTY TO AVOID THE FIREWORKS
AND THE COST OF REMOVAL
In the run up to Bonfire Night, Sedgefield Borough Council Neighbourhood Wardens and Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership are running a vehicle amnesty on abandoned and unwanted vehicles.
As part of the Partnership's bonfire strategy the vehicle amnesty will run from Monday 2nd October until Friday 1st December 2006.
Vehicle owners in Sedgefield Borough wanting to get rid of their unwanted vehicles are being offered the amnesty that allows their vehicles to be disposed of free of charge. Anyone who abandons their car after the amnesty date could face a fine of up to £250.
Partnership Coordinator Sean Barry said: 'Abandoned vehicles are unsightly and can become targets for anti-social behaviour and arson attacks. They can have a detrimental effect on the whole community and the Partnership is committed to improving the quality of life on our streets and neighbourhoods.'
Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership ran a successful amnesty on abandoned and unwanted vehicles from April 2005 to March 2006. In that time 163 cars were taken away to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
For vehicle removal or information on the amnesty contact Neighbourhood Wardens 01388 816166 ext 8808 / 8850.
A copy of the Community Safety Partnership's first newsletter is available here (450Kb pdf file).
For guidance on viewing pdf files, click here.
STAY SAFE IN SEDGEFIELD
Sedgefield residents can take advantage of a useful free guide on how to stay safe in their community.
The Stay Safe booklets have been produced by Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership and gives information on how to report crimes such as graffiti, vandalism and vehicle crime and how to take advantage of free fire safety checks and crime prevention advice.
Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership Chair, Glyn Hall, said: 'Sedgefield Borough is a already a safe place to live and work and our crime rate is 26 per cent lower than the average for England and Wales. However we want our residents to feel secure in the community and have a number of ongoing projects to help make further improvements.'
Topics covered in the guide include: neighbourhood wardens, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, hate crime, drugs and alcohol and crime prevention.
The booklet includes a list of useful numbers and will be available from council offices, police stations, libraries and GP surgeries around the borough.
For more information or to order a free copy contact Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership on 01388 816166 or e-mail CDRP@sedgefield.gov.uk
A copy is available for viewing online or downloading to your computer here (900Kb pdf file).
If you wish to print the booklet you may need to play about with your printer settings to get a suitable output.
For guidance on viewing pdf files, click here.
Helping children affected by Domestic Abuse
Specialist emotional support for children who have witnessed domestic abuse is now being provided in Sedgefield borough.
Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership is supporting the new service provided by the Domestic Abuse Outreach Centre, No 31 & SODA (Survivors Of Domestic Abuse) and delivered by Sedgefield Borough Council.
National statistics identify that in 90% of incidents of domestic violence a child or children are present or in an adjacent room.
Tracy Olley, Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator for Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership, explained: 'The children will be supported through play therapy and encouraged to express and explore their emotions to help understand their experiences more fully. Some children are left frightened of loud noises; have a lack of trust in men, regress or even turning to self-harm or drink and drugs. We hope to help them cope with the situation better.'
Therapist Angela Blakey in the Childrens area of the Outreach Centre
Community Safety Partnership Chair, Glyn Hall, said 'There is a real need for this service. Children living in a home with an abusive parent are affected by what they see or hear, they are sometimes caught up in the violence and encouraged to join in or used in an argument. Most victims the outreach centre sees have children and we need to provide some specific support for these young people.'
For further information on the service or to speak to someone about domestic violence in confidence contact:
No 31 & SODA Outreach Centre 01325 317903 (office hrs) 0191 5863055 (24 hrs)
SHED SECURITY ADVICE IN SEDGEFIELD
Householders and keen gardeners in Sedgefield Borough are being urged to take action to secure their garden and allotment sheds to protect their equipment from thieves.
With summer fast approaching, Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership is urging members of the community to think about the security of their garden equipment and have provided some handy hints for residents.
Crime Prevention Officer PC Neil Langthorne said: "Many people take a great deal of trouble securing their house while at the same time leaving property in a shed which is either unlocked or so old and run down that it would prove no obstacle to a thief."
"During the summer months we see a national increase in the number of thefts from garden sheds and Sedgefield is no different, but we all have the power to reduce these thefts."
Handy hints to protect your property:
1. Ensure that your shed is in good condition.
2. Fit a good lock on your shed door. The fitting should be bolted through the door of the shed and reinforced at the back with a steel plate. The hasp should have concealed screws or coach bolts fitted.
3. Fit any shed windows with a grill.
4. Security mark property such as lawnmowers, garden furniture etc.
5. Never leave items unattended even if you are just popping into the house.
6. If you leave items such as pedal cycles in your shed ensure they are security marked and secure them to the superstructure of the building.
7. Install a 'Dusk till Dawn' security light to illuminate your garden. They cost less than a penny a night to run.
8. Form a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to improve the sense of safety and security of the local community in your area. Neighbourhood Watches are now an essential part of Crime Prevention. If you are interested please call Sarah Norman, Community Liaison Officer, on 01325 742755.
MARK OF SUCCESS
More than 80 cyclists in Sedgefield borough can ride out in confidence their bike is more secure after a successful bike marking initiative.
Free bike marking sessions organised by Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership ran throughout January to protect old and new cycles at risk from thieves.
Sean Barry, Partnership Co-ordinator, said: 'The security marking scheme means thieves will not be able to pass the bike off as their own and it also makes it much easier for people who have had their bike stolen to reclaim it.'
Sedgefield Borough Council's Neighbourhood Wardens, Police Beat Officers from Durham Constabulary and Millennium Volunteers led the events and more sessions are planned for spring and early summer.
Motorists urged to protect their valuable car accessories
Sedgefield Borough Community Safety Partnership is urging members of the public to be vigilant when leaving their cars unattended.
Information received from the recent Crime Reduction Action Group meeting suggests that car crime, namely stolen accessories, can rise after Christmas.
These thefts include car body parts, alloy wheels and portable navigation systems.
Crime Prevention Officer, Neil Langthorne, said. "Satellite Navigation systems are becoming very popular with motorists. They have been a popular Christmas gift and are a relatively new and expensive accessory proving very attractive to thieves."
He advised motorists to systematically remove the system whenever they leave their car unattended, stressing that any tell tale signs of such systems installed, such as a mounting cradle would cause criminals to enter the car and conduct a search for the device itself.
He added that owners of portable satellite navigation systems should register them in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and retain serial numbers and any other identification details.
Further information can be obtained from the Home Office Crime Reduction website, www.crimereduction.gov.uk; and information on immobilisers and other vehicle security devices are available from Thatcham (The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre), www.thatcham.org
What's coming through your letterbox this festive season - a Christmas card or letter from the police?
Car owners in Sedgefield Borough are being urged to 'think like a thief' in a bid to protect their belongings this festive season.
Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership and Durham Police have launched Operation Hawkeye aiming to combat thefts of valuables from vehicles.
Neighbourhood wardens and police officers patrolling the borough will be on the lookout for valuables left unattended in vehicles. The registration details will be taken and within a few days the owner can expect a letter from the Partnership reminding them not to make it easy for opportunistic thieves!
Over the last few months there has been a significant increase in the theft of valuables from unattended vehicles in Sedgefield. These items include mobile phones, handbags, lap top computers, CD players and satellite navigation kits, as well as shopping bags.
Crime Prevention Officer PC Peter Maddison, who is leading the initiative, said: 'If we can encourage owners to remove valuables on show from their vehicles, then they can remove the opportunity for a crime to be committed.'
'A minute spent removing valuables from your vehicle may prevent a ruined Christmas. Lock them in the boot or remove them altogether.'
The initiative will run all through the winter months.
PC Peter Maddison can be contacted for crime prevention advice on 0845 60 60 365.
YOUNG BINGE DRINKERS URGED TO WALK AWAY FROM THAT LAST DRINK… AND TROUBLE
A publicity campaign, aimed at deterring young drinkers from going beyond their limits and landing them in trouble, has been launched in south Durham.
The Nightsafe campaign is aimed at men aged 18 to 24 and hopes to spell out the message 'know your alcohol limits, drink inside your limits, walk away from having one too many and walk away from trouble'.
Posters will feature a young women bluntly telling lads they don't stand a chance with the girls if they've had too much to drink, are falling over or getting into fights.
The adverts, which claim 'drinking too much can seriously damage your love life', will be displayed on the backs of buses, in pubs and clubs, on beer mats and contained in tip cards.
Using the phrases: 'Hi boys! Show me your six pack, not what's inside it' and 'Hi Boys! I'd rather have a laugh with you than see you in stitches', the adverts are designed to encourage people to know their limits - and walk away if someone offers them another drink.
There are also safety messages targeting young women, urging them to have nothing to do with lads who have had too much to drink.
Darlington, Sedgefield and Wear & Tees Community Safety Partnerships have joined together to ensure the run up to the festive period in town and village centres is incident free.
Brian Maudling, South Area Community Safety Inspector, said: 'This campaign employs a different tact to try and get through to drinkers. We think young men might respond better to images of a confident woman saying she doesn't like lads who get drunk, throw up and get involved in violence during a night out.'
The Nightsafe campaign was unveiled to taxi drivers, pub landlords, police officers, councillors and other partners in the south Durham area at Redworth Hall Hotel. Parked outside the venue were the types of vehicles drinkers can choose to go home in - ranging from a bus and taxi to a police van and ambulance.
Insp Maudling added: 'We hope this serves as a stark warning to people who go over their alcohol limits that the results can have terrible consequences - not only could they be arrested for violence but they could find themselves seriously injured as a result of having one too many.'
