Crime Reduction and Fire Awareness Training Days

Background

Through the Partnership Business Group, evaluation of projects and research across the Division it was found that :-

• The rate of insecurities within the Borough has continued to rise threatening the Partnership's ability to meet our targets set by Government Office North West.
• It has been recognised that GMAC Sara's for burglary have significant impact on PSA2 rates within the target areas yet have limited impact on PSA1 rates in the same areas.
• The Community Safety Unit recognised that they have little or no involvement with burglary victims and consequently do not get involved with the work undertaken by GMP for the properties surrounding the victim's location.
• Our similar family Groups are not delivering any innovative projects but are concentrating on awareness raising within Communities along the lines of our existing GMAC Sara's.
• the response is not always consistent across each Neighbourhood when responding to emerging hotspots.

In light of our findings it was agreed that a Rapid Response Team (made up of Tameside Patrollers) be considered to support the Police/PSCO's when dealing with the locations surrounding burglary victims.

It is envisaged that this support will compliment the work already being delivered by GMP. This Team can provide crime reduction advice as well as signposting residents to funding streams and agencies that can assist with target hardening equipment. In addition it was agreed that they would also conduct a Home Fire Risk Assessment whilst present at the property to be fed back to the Fire Service.

An early warning email system for partner agencies can also be developed so that partners are aware of emerging crime problems and provide appropriate responses. This has proved to be a very effective tool in the dissemination of information on the Distraction Burglary Project.

Training

A programme of training days (5 in all) have been conducted throughout June and July (last one 17 th July 2007) to address the training needs of both PCSO's and Patrollers in delivering the Repeat Victimisation Strategy. The following topics were covered:-

• Training by Crime Reduction Advisers on how to conduct a survey
• Training by the Fire Service on how to conduct a Level 1 Home Fire Risk Assessment
• Home Watch information
• Alley-gating and Gating Orders information
• Doorstep Crime Information
• POPPS Project information

The information aspect of the training was to ensure that all staff visiting victims and potential victims were aware of the packages available to combat crime.

The training was devised, facilitated and delivered by Community Safety Officers, Crime Reduction Advisers and the Community Fire Safety Manager from GMFRS.

Evaluation

At the end of each training event the course participants were asked to complete a questionnaire covering all aspects of the day. The results were analysed for each individual training day however all the results have been amalgamated for the purposes of this report. A total of 92 uniformed officers attended the sessions and the results were as follows:-

The Future

As this initiative is new to the Borough it is envisaged that some 'teething' problems may be experienced by both PCSO's and the Patroller service when delivering the crime prevention surveys.

It is therefore our intention to review the project after six months to see whether improvements need to be made to any aspect of the scheme. It is proposed that a discussion day be held to ascertain whether any problems have been experienced and to discuss with those directly delivering the project how it can be improved. This feedback event will be held in early February 2008.M