Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter - Spring 2019

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter Edition 5 – Spring 2019 Welcome to my last edition as Chair of the PCSP, over the past 12 months I have been encouraged by the many Neighbourhood Watch schemes within the Mid and East Antrim area and I would encourage anyone thinking of starting up a scheme to make contact with PCSP staff who would be happy to assist you in the application process.

Mid and East Antrim PCSP have spent the last 12 months developing and implementing a range of projects to help support and enhance community safety in our Council area. We have championed a lot of initiatives in local schools and out in the community which we believe

will positively reduce crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour for residents and visitors alike and we are committed to continue this positive work in our 2019/20 Action Plan.

Within this issue you will have the opportunity to read about one our more recent initiatives - Speed Indication Devices (SIDS) - which aim to tackle speeding in areas where young people may be playing or attending school. Also the ‘No Hate Here’ campaign will be rolled out throughout Larne and Carrickfergus after a successful pilot scheme in Ballymena last year. The idea is to encourage local

businesses and organisations to support those who had been victims of a hate crime, signpost them to support services and encourage reporting.

Being victimised because of who you are, or who people think you are is fundamentally wrong and we encourage local businesses and community organisations to sign up.

As always we have included ‘useful contact details’ on the back page as a handy reference guide.

Mid and East Antrim PCSP Chair, Cllr Paul Sinclair

Supported by

making Mid & East Antrim safer

New scheme to put the brakes on speeding motorists in Mid and East Antrim Speeding motorists are being warned to slow down to save lives near primary schools and other areas across the borough where speeding is a problem.

Over the next few months, a number of speed detection and alert signs (SIDs), funded

by Mid and East Antrim’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership, will be deployed across the borough.

It’s part of a scheme to tackle speeding, particularly in areas where young people may be playing or attending school.

and pedestrians by warning drivers to slow down.

“Mid and East Antrim PCSP are committed to making our communities safer and it is hoped that this initiative will go some way to addressing the many road safety concerns raised by our communities across the borough. 55 people died on our roads last year, and this needs to stop.

Mid and East Antrim have previously worked with communities in Kells and Connor, Moorfields and Ballycarry where similar devices have been installed and proved a success. The signs not only highlight the speed of the passing vehicle, but also record the data.

“Over the past year road safety has been a priority for the partnership and we have worked closely with many of our local schools to raise awareness around the dangers of speeding.

Mid and East Antrim PCSP will continue its hard work with our PSNI partners and local communities throughout 2019 as no death on our roads is acceptable.”

Chair of Mid and East Antrim PCSP, Cllr Paul Sinclair said: “The aim of the scheme is to help keep our children and communities safe as well as protecting other road users

PSNI Chief Inspector Stephen Humphries welcomed the initiative: “Anything that gets drivers to pay more attention to their speed has

to be a good investment.

People want to be able to feel safe in the place where they live and I would encourage anyone travelling across this borough, particularly close to schools, or play parks, to pay more attention to their speed and other road users.”

This initiative is being rolled out in partnership with the PSNI. To find out more or to see if you can get a device in your area go to www.midandeastantrim .gov.uk/PCSP

Ageing Well Model Mid and East Antrim Council led a partnership to procure services for Ageing Well in the Borough. The Ageing Well Model is an evolving model and will require that partners continue to work together and also continue to engage with older people in the local community to identify and meet needs using approaches which are both innovative and responsive.

Good Morning Telephone Calls

The model included a partnership approach to the commissioning of ageing well services for older people in the Borough. Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) have been awarded the contract.

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MEAAP’s tender demonstrated that they will be able to provide the following services:

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A telephone support scheme which allows for daily contact; The telephone support scheme will also promote key health messages, raising awareness and promoting healthy lifestyle choices;

Handyman Service

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A handyman service that will support older people to remain in their homes by completing necessary, small maintenance jobs; This may include an odd jobs service such as path clearing, decorating, general maintenance and minor works.

Home Security •

A Home Security Scheme which would include home safety checks, provision and installation of equipment including locks, security lighting

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and other appropriate security devices; This scheme will link with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Fire Safety initiative; A home security calendar will be produced to provide older people with home safety tips.

Community and Social Engagement •

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Promote and support volunteering opportunities for older people and provide a link to support groups; Provide training and ongoing technical support that encourages older people to use information and communication technologies such as mobile telephones, internet-enabled TVs and computers.

Contact Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) on 028 25 658604 regarding any of these services 3

No Hate Here’ campaign to tackle crime in Mid and East Antrim

The idea is to encourage local businesses and organisations to support those who had been victims of a hate crime, signpost them to support services and encourage reporting.

A resource pack has been developed for local businesses and organisations, which explains what hate crime is, how people can report hate crime and where they can get support. It also includes posters for them to display. The programme was launched last year in Ballymena and is now being rolled out across Larne and Carrickfergus.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Lindsay Millar said: “This initiative focuses on all types of hate crime including religious, sectarian, homophobic and racial hate crime. No form of crime

is acceptable in any right thinking society and it is totally unacceptable.

“Mid and East Antrim prides itself on being a place that is welcoming, vibrant and diverse. There is a collective responsibility on statutory agencies, elected representatives, and community leaders to enable the community plan, Putting People First, to take shape and help work together to ensure everyone who lives, works and visits here is treated with dignity and respect.

“We value the contribution of each of our diverse communities. The ethnic minority community make a significant impact to our economic, civic and cultural life in Mid and East Antrim and we want them to know they are welcome here.”

PSNI Inspector Michael Simpson said: “This is an issue that requires more than just a policing response and we are delighted to join with our partners to encourage more people to do what they can to support victims across

Mid and East Antrim. People may feel they can’t come directly to police with their concerns so knowing that there are local businesses and organisations out there that can provide that initial support and signposting is a great resource.”

Ivy Goddard from the Mid and East Antrim Inter Ethnic Forum said: “It is great to see businesses in our borough working collaboratively with agencies to take action against Hate Crime. Being victimised because of who you are, or who people think you are is fundamentally wrong. The spike in racist crime across our society is worrying and we are committed to preventing further escalation through this campaign, as well as other preventative initiatives that we are involved in.”

The PSNI will provide training to a number of local businesses and organisations that sign up. For more information on how to get involved go to www. midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ goodrelations

ENDING HATE CRIME IN OUR BOROUGH CALL 101

TO REPORT ALL HATE CRIME MEA 0138

A campaign to tackle hate crime is being rolled out across Mid and East Antrim..

‘No Hate Here’ is a joint initiative by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, PCSP, PSNI and Inter Ethnic Forum.

Men’s Advisory Project NI (MAPNI) MAPNI exists to provide counselling services for men experiencing domestic abuse. MAPNI provides support and helps men to understand their options and make their own choices and decisions. MAPNI also offer support and counselling services to men who have previously left a violent or abusive relationship and who are still experiencing the effects. All of MAPNI services are offered across Northern Ireland from various bases.

There is a current lack of services for male victims of domestic and sexual violence. Evidence would suggest more men suffer domestic and sexual abuse than those that seek support to deal with it and men are reluctant to come forward.

A barrier to seeking support is often a lack of knowledge of support services available.

Mid and East Antrim PCSP and MAPNI came together to highlight all MAPNI services to show what MAPNI can provide and the benefits other males have had from utilizing these services.

The project aims to ensure that Mid and East Antrim has the ability to offer counselling at a local venue for the issue of domestic abuse and male victims and survivors.

125 counselling sessions are being provided to male victims of crime in the Mid and East Antrim Council area free of charge at a free, accessible venue. The counselling sessions have been promoted locally amongst PSNI, Victims Support and the wider community.

The project will raise awareness amongst Police and other statutory officials of the availability of counselling sessions.

PSNI will be made aware of the counselling sessions available in their area so that they can signpost victims as appropriate. The project also increases confidence in the Police Service as it shows the PSNI as able to respond to the needs of all victims of domestic abuse and their families.

Feedback of the project to date • To date the uptake has been excellent from male victims of domestic violence and has addressed the needs of victims close to their home without the need to travel.

• There has been greater awareness of support services available for male victims in the MEA Borough.

• None of the men were aware domestic abuse was relatively common among men.

• Some of the men are starting to return to functioning in a more positive way either returning to work or accessing GP services.

• All report a feeling of ability to move forward more positively and with some hope.

For more information on MAPNI services contact 028 9024 1929 or email info@mapni.co.uk

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Useful Contact Numbers

Your PCSP members

PSNI contact details

10 Elected Members

9 Independent Members

7 Statutory Partners

Cllr Brian Collins (Chair)

Mary Watson (Vice Chair)

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Cllr Andrew Wilson

Marjorie Hawkins

Cllr Reuben Glover

Brenda Leslie

Ald Sam Hanna

Jonathan Cooke

Cllr Cheryl Johnston

Emma McIlveen

Cllr Lynn McClurg

Wendy Kerr

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Name

Rank

Role

Station

Mobile

Email

Michael Simpson

Inspector

Neighbourhood Police Team Ballymena

Ballymena

07734580501

michael.simpson@ psni.pnn.police.uk

Trevor Atkinson

Inspector

Neighbourhood Police Team Larne & Carrick

Carrick

Chris O’Flaherty

Sergeant

Neighbourhood Policing Team Carrick

Carrick

Police Service of Northern 07775662096

07787133250

trevor.atkinson@ psni.pnn.police.uk chris.oflaherty@ psni.pnn.police.uk

Probation Board Youth Justice Agency

Chris McIlroy

Sergeant

Neighbourhood Policing Team

Carrick

07787224732

Chris.McIlroy@ psni.pnn.police.uk

Ald Gregg McKeen

Ashleigh Perry

Education Authority

Michelle McKillop

Sergeant

Neighbourhood Policing Team

Ballymena

07917094898

Michelle.McKillop@ psni.pnn.police.uk

Ald William McNeilly

Rodney Quigley

Stephen Rainey

Sergeant

Community Planning Sergeant

Ballymena

07920502825

stephen.rainey2@ psni.pnn.police.uk

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

Cllr Paul Sinclair

Marian Maguire

Mid and East Antrim PCSP contact details Contact the PCSP staff by phone, email or call into the office: Larne Town Hall, Upper Cross Street, Larne. BT40 1RZ Tel: 028 2826 2459/60/61 Email: pcsp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Patrice Hardy

In an emergency call 999 PSNI non-emergency number 101 • • • •

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Victim Support: 028 2563 0784 Crime stoppers: 0800 555 111 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline: 0808 802 1414 Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey (ABCLN) Women’s Aid: 028 2563 2136 Crime Prevention Officer Stuart Willkie: 07500036996 / Ext 86008 / phone 101

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This newsletter is supported by The Northern Ireland Policing Board and The Department of Justice.

With thanks to PSNI, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch for providing information for this leaflet.

Supported by

making Mid & East Antrim safer