TOWN CENTRE UNITES AGAINST CRIME Anti-social behaviour will no longer be tolerated, that’s the message being given to key offenders on the back of the launch of a new initiative in Croydon Town Centre. The Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership (CBCP) will co-ordinate the efforts of all security forces in the area to eliminate crime and anti-social behaviour in the busy shopping districts in the Town Centre for good. “Repeat offenders are being told in no uncertain terms that we are not going to put up with them anymore,” explained Ros Morgan, Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) Manager. “CBCP will send a tough message out to those intent on causing trouble that Croydon is not the place to come if you are intent on causing disruption. All Town Centre businesses will be made aware of the offenders in question and I’m confident that we can make a real impact in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour even further, building on the significant strides that we have already made in making the area safer over the last few years.” Similar business crime reduction partnerships across the UK have been introduced before and have been a great success. For
example, in Dover crime fell by a staggering 22% during the first 6 months of operation. “The programme was an unprecedented triumph in Dover Town Centre,” confirmed Karen Griffiths, Dover Business Crime Reduction Manager. “By coordinating the efforts of all business and security forces in the area we were able to send a clear message to offenders – their behaviour was unacceptable and we were not going to tolerate it anymore. The statistics show that, clearly, they listened to our warning.” This new initiative is just the latest stage in Croydon BID’s ongoing efforts to make the Town Centre a safer place for all, it is a continuing process but there are already some clear signs of success. In terms of Town Centre security, the figures demonstrate that crime is actually down by 2% in the year on year comparisons. As well as contributing to a new Town Centre Police Unit, BID has enhanced the effectiveness of CCTV and helped to coordinate the efforts of all security and safety actors in the area. There has also been a continued effort to improve personal safety, including schemes like ‘Cabsafe’ a taxi marshalling scheme which aims to ensure public safety in cab
journey’s home from the Town Centre, and ‘Childsafe’ a Town Centre security system which helps reunite lost children with their families in the event of them wandering off. “CBCP will be based around a secure intelligence sharing database,” explained Andrew Bauer, Chair of CBCP. “Housed in members` premises and supported by a town-wide radio communications system, CBCP gives its retail, pub and travel based membership the ability to share information on criminal and anti-social behavior in real time, which in turn will lead to a much higher incidence of detection and prosecution.” By introducing this scheme Town Centre businesses are making a robust statement that there is a limited amount of latitude on offer. Repeat offenders should be aware that continuance of criminality or anti social behavior will result in a banning from all members’ premises, or in the worst case scenario, they will be taken to court by the police.”
Working together for a better Croydon
Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership
Croydon Businesses Working Together to Reduce Crime
Introduction from Ros Morgan, BID Manager Ensuring that Croydon Town Centre is a safe and secure place to work, shop and visit remains a top priority for the BID team as we enter our third year. We have made some good progress in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour in the last two years, but clearly there is still much more to do. In this publication you will find out more about the range of different schemes that Croydon BID is supporting and helping to coordinate.
There are many different approaches, tackling different sides of the battle against crime, all of which should continue to help make the community a safer environment for all.
The Safer Croydon Partnership:
Working together to make Croydon safer
CBCP is the latest initiative which we are supporting to combat the scourge of disruptive behaviour in Croydon. We have high hopes for the scheme as it has been introduced before in the UK with a great deal of success. I am optimistic that CBCP will build on the good work already underway through existing initiatives, making a visit to the Town Centre an even more enjoyable experience than it already is.
Awarding the Best Bar None
Stopping crime in its tracks – tackling re-offending Tackling re-offending is particularly significant for local communities, as we know that offenders often commit crimes close to home. The Safer Croydon Partnership has a range of support available to give people a chance to rebuild their lives and take a different path. Helping people back into employment who have been out of work for a long time - or face other barriers such as a criminal record or a substance misuse problem - is a specialist role. Working with Red Kite Learning (a local charity who also
work with employers, to provide solutions to their recruitment needs) this project has assisted over 200 individuals during 2008/09. In addition, the project supports drug users in Croydon by helping them to find employment opportunities and by raising their skill levels, motivation and self esteem, thereby increasing employability and employment opportunities The Safer Croydon Partnership is supporting victims of business crime head on by offering affected businesses with a new package of support.Victims of business crime reporting a crime to Croydon Police will be contacted by a Crime Advisor and offered assistance in a variety of forms.
To find out more about the Safer Croydon Partnership visit the website www.croydon.gov.uk/safercroydon
It’s opening time again for the scheme that has helped to reduce drink-fuelled crime in the Town Centre significantly since it began six years ago Commended as a model of good practice by the Mayor of London, Croydon Best Bar None 2009 got under way on 31st March at Tiger Tiger in North End, the venue which was the overall winner of last year’s award. All of the borough’s pubs, bars and clubs have been invited to take part in this year’s campaign, run in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade. Each competing establishment will have to prove it is committed to the health, safety and well-being of its customers and will undergo a rigorous joint audit conducted by the council’s licensing department, and police and fire officers. Among points to be checked will be door policy, health and safety, staff training, customer care and ways of dealing with disorder. The standards demanded by Best Bar None are way above the legal minimum and not all businesses will be able to meet the
exacting criteria on the first attempt. Those reaching the required standards will be presented with a certificate and plaque, incorporating the campaign’s distinctive logo, at a glittering awards ceremony at the Croydon Hilton in June and will join a growing band of Croydon Best Bar None accredited pubs, bars and clubs. Other award winners in last year’s contest were the High Street’s Green Dragon, which won the best-pub award, and Hustler, in Church Street, winner of the best-club medal. Additionally, 31 other establishments from across the borough were accredited. Trade feedback indicates that, this year, the number of businesses applying for accreditation could exceed 50. An independent panel of judges will select the overall winners and runners-up, and these will be announced at the ceremony, as will an award decided by members of the public.
News in brief: Confronting crime in the community By working together as a community it is far easier to achieve results when it comes to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in our Town Centre. There are a number of initiatives which have been set up which are encouraging local residents to take action in the fight against crime. Here we reveal some more information about a few of these schemes
Crime Maps Reporting Crime and Safer Neighbourhood Team To find out what’s going on in Croydon and where you live go to: www.met.police. uk and click on “Crime Mapping website” to get information about crimes in your area. To report a non-emergency crime click on “Report a crime”, the Nonemergency contact number is: 0300 123 1212.You can also find out who your local “Safer Neighbourhood Team” are and get their contact details.
Neighbourhood Link Community Messaging Service Neighbourhood Link is a community messaging service from the Metropolitan Police Service that provides news and information about policing activity or initiatives, crime prevention advice as well as major incidents affecting your area. To sign up go to: www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk
Join the Special Constabulary The MPS Special Constabulary is a force of volunteers who work with and offer support to regular Metropolitan Police Officers. Specials have the same powers as regular officers and wearing the same uniform. The police are looking for everyday people who are prepared to give up at least eight hours of their spare time each fortnight to do something positive for themselves and their community. If you want to find out more go to the following link: www.met.police.uk/careers/index.html
Working together for a better Croydon
Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership
Croydon Businesses Working Together to Reduce Crime
Youth in Focus Crime and anti-social behaviour can affect young people perhaps more profoundly than any other social group. That’s why Croydon BID, Croydon Council and Croydon Police are working in partnership to promote several initiatives with a youth focus. By raising awareness about key issues and encouraging positive behaviour, it should be possible to re-engage with young people on a number of levels, protecting them from harm and helping their individual development in the process.
A View from the Police
Croydon teens can use text to save lives The charity Crimestoppers is urging Croydon teens to use their mobiles to tackle knife crime. A new dedicated anonymous hotline aimed at secondary school children has been set up, which means they can now text information about someone carrying a knife.
Chief Inspector Simon Ellingham offers a view on policing the Town Centre
The crime-fighting charity is running the campaign across London, but focusing on Croydon and 14 other boroughs which have been hit hardest by the problem. Crimestoppers are working with local schools to publicise the scheme, and making sure students understand that they will stay totally anonymous. The texts arrive through special software, which means they cannot be traced. Crimestoppers’ spokeswoman Hannah Daws said: “We only need a few key details about the person carrying the knife, like their name, school, year and the area they live in”. The Met has welcomed the initiative, Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts, said: “This is a very timely development. It is vital that people of all ages should feel confident enough to report concerns they have regarding people who carry and use knives on our streets. Those who persist in carrying weapons will be caught and can expect to be prosecuted.”
Detached Youth Teams:
Working with young people for young people Croydon Council’s youth service has Detached Youth Work Teams who make contact with young people, aged 13 to 19. Every week the team gets out and about in Croydon to make new connections and build relationships. The Detached Youth Teams offer information and support to young people about how to stay safe, particularly if they are meeting and socialising in the streets or in parks and open spaces, encouraging them to know their rights but also to be aware of their responsibilities surrounding ‘stop and search’ and knife crime. Advice and help is provided around the issues of drugs and alcohol, antisocial behaviour, homelessness and family conflict. The teams also tell young people about all the exciting leisure activities taking place across the borough. Currently, they are also looking to set up some summer holiday activities and are asking young people to get involved and tell us what they want. Since the programme came into operation it has been very well received in the community and young people who have taken part have clearly found their involvement a rewarding experience. “Thanks to the Detached Team I have gained more friends and discovered new social skills, “said Dean Hunt, aged 16. “I have
improved at pool and table tennis and I feel that I have grown more mature in the process. I first met the team on the Colts Field while playing football with my friends and I’ve got some great memories of my time with the Detached Team - including many trips, such as go-karting, which was excellent, and sailing too.”
“Thanks to the Detached Team I have gained more friends and discovered new social skills.” Dean Hunt, age 16
To get in touch with the Detached Youth Team call 07789 395684 or emailing emily.collinsbeare@croydon.gov.uk
Working together for a better Croydon
Croydon Town Centre Policing Team continues to commit itself to providing high visibility uniform patrolling officers, covering both retail and night time economies of the area. We work very closely with our partners in the security industry, and have formed excellent working relationships with store detectives, security guards, shop managers and workers. I would give special mention to the Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers. They are few in number, but have contributed significantly to what I believe is a much safer Town Centre than when I first came to Croydon. Crime figures within the area have consistently been much lower than people believe.Youth violence, much publicised over recent months, has in fact fallen since the introduction of the ‘Safe for All’ campaign some months ago and those who know of the sheer number of young people who pass through Croydon on their way home every day are aware of just how successful this has been in reducing incidents of misbehaviour. I continue to thoroughly enjoy my role, I firmly believe it is the best one I have ever had in 24 years of policing and don’t want to do anything else. Walking the beat has always been my passion, and I am committed to ensuring this style of policing continues.
Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership
Croydon Businesses Working Together to Reduce Crime
Oyster card top up now available at the Croydon Visitor Centre Pop in today and meet the team: Hotel bookings Travel and maps Events and attractions Shopping and restaurants Free access to local websites Visit the new website
www.croydontowncentre.com to keep up-to-date with the latest news and events.
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Working together for a better Croydon
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Come to North End, Croydon on xxth April from xxpm to xxpm to get your face painted, collect your free balloon and enter our Child Safe Easter competition. Collect your free Child Safe wristband from any of the locations below: Croydon Visitor Centre, East Croydon Station ‘One Stop’ at Taberner House Allders – Customers Services (2nd Floor) Central Croydon Library, Katherine Street The Whitgift Shopping Centre – North End Entrance (by Monsoon) Centrale Shopping Centre – North End Mall Centrale Shopping Centre – Car Park, level P2A (by the pay machines)
We look forward to seeing you on xx April in North End.
More information about Child Safe is available online at
www.croydontowncentre.com
Working together for a better Croydon
Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership
Croydon Businesses Working Together to Reduce Crime