Autumn 2012
It's never worth it The season to be merry will soon be upon us. Adverts are appearing about the latest gadgets and the best new toys to buy.
suspected thieves. It means that if you help yourself to goods without paying, the chances are someone will be watching.
But what if you can’t afford to buy them and decide to use your five finger discount instead?
The event was organised by Safer and Stronger Communities in response to requests from partners.
As a shoplifter you will be arrested on suspicion of theft, probably handcuffed and put in a police car or van. You will be transported to a police station where your fingerprints will be taken. If you are under 17 your parents will be called. If charged you will have to attend court where you could be fined or even given a custodial sentence.
The maximum penalty for theft from a shop is seven years imprisonment. Once convicted you will have a criminal record which could have a devastating impact on Most shops and stores have CCTV cameras and a dedicated your future. Remember, it’s security team, major shopping never worth it. centres are also covered by a http://www.safercommunities. network of cameras, and stores share information about org/film-clips/shop-theft/ It may seem like harmless fun or a teenage prank, but think of the consequences you will face.
Students in years seven, eight and nine at Oasis Academy, Immingham recently had the opportunity to learn about crime and personal safety at "ATAC" (All Talk About Crime) day on Monday 17th September.
People who steal from stores can be any age, race or gender and from any social and economic background. Stealing from a shop could affect you for the rest of your life. It is a criminal offence and those caught face prosecution and a criminal record. Many stores also use the civil recovery scheme to recoup losses from shoplifting. This means you may have to pay compensation to the store for any losses they suffer as a result of your theft.
ATAC day
The young people had opportunities to learn about shop theft, knife crime, the role of victim support and hate crime, to name but a few. Over 11 agencies were in attendance including Humberside Police and Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire. All the pupils who participated showed great enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
Primary schools against prejudice This week the Hate Crime Action Group ran their discrimination workshop with a further three primary schools from the local area. Children enjoying the discrimination workshop
It was identified that discriminatory incidents are often committed by children and young people and, by the time these young people reach adulthood, it is more difficult to change their attitudes and behaviour. Previous campaigns had focused on promoting inclusive and anti-prejudicial behaviour amongst adults but this project aims to reach children at a young age to introduce a long term behaviour change. Thirty children from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Strand Primary Academy and Humberston Church of England Primary School were invited to attend a programme focusing on equalities and diversity,
prejudice and discrimination. The programme comprised three parts, a briefing to introduce the ideas and allow the children to relate these ideas to incidents – witnessed, experienced or imagined – that had or might happen within their own school and community; a two hour workshop to encourage the children to think about discrimination as something that happens in the ‘real world’ and not just classroom based theory; and finally the children take a project back to their own schools to share their learning. Feedback from both teachers and pupils has been extremely positive with all answering that they would recommend the programme to other schools. Pupil comments included “I liked learning that no matter how old or disabled you are you can still achieve your goals.” And one teacher summarised that “we would recommend it because it was a fast paced input and children got to really explore their own experiences and listen to the experiences of others.”
A message of gratitude to the Street Angels Dear Street Angels I am writing to send a message of gratitude to the street angels team who were patrolling on Saturday 29th September 2012. I was out on Saturday night and at around half 11 one of my friends became very ill (alcohol induced). While we waited for his parent to pick him up the street angels came across us. They provided us with practical help (tissues / water / physical lifting) as well as general support while waiting for his dad to arrive. I was incredibly impressed with not only their help but their attitudes - very efficient yet friendly and non judgemental and we felt very reassured knowing they were there to help us as it was distressing to see a friend in that state. Anyway the purpose of this email is just to try and express how grateful we were for their presence last night and to say what a great scheme street angels is. Many thanks, Sophie Foster, age 21
What are prejudice and discrimination? Discrimination is the less favourable treatment of one person compared with another person because of one of the following characteristics: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Age Disability Gender reassignment Marriage or civil partnership Pregnancy or maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation
Prejudice is an adverse judgement or opinion formed before meeting someone, based on preconceived ideas. Diversity is the acknowledgment that all people are different, and equality is treating each of these different people fairly. The Meniscus Community Film Society, in conjunction with Safer and Stronger Communities, invites entries into its Summer 2013 Short Film Competition. Short films (to a maximum of ten minutes) are invited on the theme of equalities and diversity, prejudice and discrimination, and bullying. This can be interpreted in any way and any genre, including fiction, documentary and animation. The deadline for entries is 30th April 2013. Films can be made as an individual, team, class or school effort, and entries are invited in four age categories from seven to adult. Short listed films will be showcased at a film festival on Thursday 4th July 2013 and prizes will be presented to the winning entries. For full terms and conditions visit: http://www.safercommunities.org/hate-crime
A Neighbourhood Watch Group Experience
A poem by one of our Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators. There it went again bang wallop smash Yet another vehicle out there being trashed The youths who do the damage Are extremely intimidating Just don’t go out and tackle them Because they will be waiting 2006 became so hard, so very hard to bear Residents were frightened, all were very scared Until the night it came to a head When neighbours got together A meeting must be held they said To try and stop this bother. One resident gave her lounge as a place to meet Police and local Councillors all visited the street It was then decided
Amongst the people present To form a Neighbourhood Watch Group To make the area pleasant A group then got together And residents put at ease The youths who started the damage Were no longer such a tease The community came together And fun was had by all Some six years later down the line And all is well and all is fine The youths who gave us trouble Have mended all their ways And now are part of our team And happy sunshine days The moral of this little ode Is do not sit and suffer But get yourselves together and see what you can offer By one who has been there‌.and back again.
Police and Crime Commissioner On 15 November 2012, in the first ever elections, 41 new police and crime commissioners will be elected across England and Wales to give you a say when it comes to cutting crime in your area. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will take up office on 22 November and the current police authorities will be abolished. PCCs will determine the local policing priorities, set the local precept and the annual force budget, and will appoint (and will be able to dismiss) chief constables. For information on the candidates in the Humberside Police force area visit http://policecrimecommissi oner.co.uk/Humberside
Don't let Halloween scare you
Neighbourhood Watch advice
The darker nights are with us again. Have you Are you a safe trick or treater? checked that your security " Stay in areas that are lit with street lights - take a torch lights are working with you just in case. correctly and that when they switch on they are " Always go trick or treating with an adult. pointing in the right " Always look carefully before crossing the road, even if you’re direction? If they light up your neighbour’s area as part of a group. well as your own this may " Don’t knock on doors where there is a sign saying ‘no trick be deemed to be a or treat here’. nuisance so check them carefully. " Don’t enter any house, stay on the doorstep. " Stay with your friends. Don’t split into smaller groups unless an adult goes with you. " Don’t talk to strangers on the street. " Although Halloween is supposed to be spooky, be careful not to frighten elderly people. " Only go to houses where you or your friends know the residents.
Prefer not to be called upon? Would you, or someone you know, prefer not to receive Halloween callers? Safer and Stronger Communities have created posters for you to display in a prominent position by your front door. For a copy visit www.safercommunities.org/season al-advice/autumn-halloween-safety or call 01472 324944.
When putting your garden items into storage for the winter did you postcode them all? Have you secured any ladders to the floor or wall with a good padlock? Do you carry out the school run? Before leaving your property do you always make sure all your windows and doors, including garage doors are secure? Do you check your side gates are bolted so that no one can enter whilst you are out? It only takes seconds for the ‘opportunist burglar’ to enter your property.
Focus on Andy Robinson Andy Robinson
How long have you worked in the role? 16 months. If the Elms was on fire what one item would you save from your office? Jane Mansfield - she would be a sad loss to the community.
Describe your job in 100 words or less. I work for Humberside Police as a Crime Reduction Officer co-located with the Safer Communities Team. I provide crime reduction advice to residents and businesses aimed at reducing criminal activity. I provide oversight of the panic alarms provided for domestic abuse and witness intimidation. I'm also the Division's ‘Crime Prevention Design Advisor’ which means that I consult during the planning process working with Planning, architects and developers to design out crime before developments are built. This is involved but gives me a very privileged position in that I can directly affect crime levels for the next 30-40 years.
What award would you most like to win? I'm not picky - anything would be a start! Who do you admire most? Those who inspire, motivate and empower others as a result.
What is the last film you saw? "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" - Despite the dodgy title, it's one of the best films I've seen for ages. If you were a superhero what would your power be? I'd like to be similar to 'Billy Whizz' or 'The Flash', or be able to teleport, and save on petrol as a result. If I gave you £100 what would you spend it on? Flowers for my wife, a takeaway meal and some history books.
What makes you angry? The current squeeze on parking spaces, procrastination and poor speling. What's your most treasured possession? My recent degree certificate due to the sacrifices and effort it took to gain it.
What is the last book you read? "Red Road from Stalingrad: Recollections of a Soviet Infantryman" by Mansur Abdulin.
What's your favourite number? Don't have one. What's your favourite word? 'Yes'!