About the Partnership
Introduction
Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership was born out of the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act, which required local authorities, police authorities and other agencies to work together in partnership to consider crime and disorder reduction and community safety in the exercise of all their duties and activities.
Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership as been in operation for 10 successful years in that time the Partnership as worked with partners to help reduce crime, anti social behaviour and promote community safety in Bridgnorth District. Over the years the Partnership as had several accomplishments as well as developing several local community initiatives. In the last audit, which was conducted in 2004, Bridgnorth district is the only district in Shropshire to experience a decrease in recorded crime of 13.4% over a three-year period. Bridgnorth District has experienced a decrease in recorded crime of 15.26% over a three-year period 2005-2008.
A Vision for a Safe Community
A predominately rural district of 63,300 hectares (245 square miles), Bridgnorth District lies in the south east of Shropshire with a total population of 51,800. Over 90% of the district is classified as being rural although this area accounts for only 37% of the district’s total population.
The district contains a number of historic market towns and attractive villages. The largest settlement is BridgnorthTown with a population of nearly 12,000 and provides most employment, leisure and retail services. Shifnal, with a population of 5,600, is also an important service centre for the northern part of the district, although the provision of services is influenced by the close proximity of Telford to the west of the town. The District is heavily influenced by its proximity to Telford to the north and the West Midlands conurbation to the east. In addition, Shrewsbury and Kidderminster exert an influence on the district.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The Bridgnorth District Community Partnership’s vision for Bridgnorth District is ‘A safe and sustainable, high quality rural district for people, places and communities’.
The Bridgnorth District Community Partnership’s vision is realised through four strategic pillars, Community Well Being, Improving the Economy, Promoting the Environment and Learning for Life. As previously stated, it is vital to retain the close alignment between the Community Partnership and the Community Safety Partnership and therefore the shared vision for both strategies will be ’A safe and sustainable, high quality rural district for people, places and communities.’
Local Government in Shropshire is going through a period of major change as it moves towards unitary status, amalgamating the existing County, Borough and District Councils into One Council for Shropshire. The business case for the new Unitary Authority establishes three areas for the County - North, Central (Shrewsbury) and South Shropshire. The South Area will be largely made up of the existing Bridgnorth District and South Shropshire District areas.
The Interim Leadership Board steering the new Authority approved the move towards 3 Area Partnerships with an expectation that they will be in place to facilitate delivery of the new Local Area Agreement by 30 June 2008. A short way into the life of this Plan.
Partners from both Bridgnorth District and South Shropshire Partnerships have been working together to determine the vision and priorities for the new South Area Partnership based upon the existing Community Strategies for both Partnerships along with a refreshed evidence base. The priorities identified through this Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership Plan will inform the development of the joint overall vision and priorities for the new South Area Partnership.
It is envisaged that the structure, vision and priorities of the new South Area Partnership will be endorsed at its inaugural meeting to be held sometime in early July 2008.
Identifying Priorities from the Strategic Assessment
Bridgnorth CDRP has a statutory duty to produce an annual strategic assessment to support the production of a partnership plan. The Safer Stronger Communities Board agreed to produce a countywide strategic assessment with an individual chapter for each district in line with guidance from the Home Office. The Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership chapter of the strategic assessment recognises the crime and disorder patterns, trends and community concerns relating to crime and disorder in the district. The following areas emerged as priorities;
| Criminal Damage |
| Priority 2 | Anti Social Behaviour |
| Priority 3 | Crimes Against the Person |
| Priority 4 | Vehicle Crime |
| Priority 5 | Property Crime |
| Priority 6 | Community Safety Issues |
These priorities areas are high volume and have a considerable impact on crime levels and quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors to the district. Prioritising these areas and implementing action plans to address them will help partnership members to allocate resources more intelligently to help reduce levels of crime and disorder and promote community safety.
The Strategic Assessment identified areas and crime types where numbers and impact are the greatest crime priority areas, and where Partnership approaches to reducing crime are also therefore likely to have the greatest impact. The Strategic Assessment provides a very locally based analysis, and enables the identification of crime priority areas. Where crime trends were evident within and between crime categories and across the three-year period, priority areas were identified for analysis in the strategic assessment report. Based on this, the priority areas for this Partnership Plan are identified as Bridgnorth Town, Shifnal, Broseley, Albrighton and Highley.
| Bridgnorth | West Midlands | England |
| Violence Against the Person | 426 | 105921 | 975843 |
| Wounding or Other Act Endangering Life | 12 | 1671 | 15668 |
| Other Wounding | 207 | 59915 | 459953 |
| Harassment Including Penalty Notices for Disorder | 114 | 23040 | 234869 |
| Common Assault | 52 | 12931 | 194226 |
| Robbery | 12 | 11011 | 98050 |
| Theft from the Person | 12 | 5343 | 101612 |
| Criminal Damage including Arson | 528 | 112019 | 1106432 |
| Burglary in a Dwelling | 92 | 28393 | 281704 |
| Burglary Other than a Dwelling | 277 | 35449 | 312571 |
| Theft of a Motor Vehicle | 88 | 19520 | 181593 |
| Theft from a Motor Vehicle | 194 | 46489 | 473171 |
| Road Accident Data, All Casualties | 65 | 2987 | 32296 |
| Road Accident Data, All Car Occupants Killed or Seriously Injured | 43 | 1344 | 14631 |
| Road Accident Data, All those using Two Wheeled Motor Vehicles Killed or Seriously Injured | 12 | 568 | 6948 |
| Road Accident Data, All Child Casualties | 3 | 341 | 3476 |
| Road Accident Data, All Elderly Casualties | .. | 122 | 1751 |
| Total Fire Service Incidents | 171 | 85413 | 830238 |
| Primary Fires | 111 | 14802 | 140502 |
| Secondary Fires | 9 | 20877 | 188547 |
| Special Services | 30 | 12939 | 147522 |
| Fatal Casualties | 3 | 102 | 2031 |
| Non-Fatal Casualties | 27 | 1584 | 35454 |
Source National Statistics (April 2006 –March 2007)
An Intergrated Partnership Plan
This Partnership Plan is based on a strategic assessment of crime in the district of Bridgnorth between January – October 2007. The Partnership has viewed the results of the strategic assessment to ensure it is responding to local concerns about crime in the District in the way that we develop the Partnership Plan priorities.
This Partnership Plan sets out a range of local actions which aim to make a significant impact on those community safety issues of greatest concern to local communities and to organisations living and working throughout District. The Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership Plan build on the previous work of the Partnership and also sets in the context of priorities and outcomes identified in the Shropshire
Local priorities and actions are therefore supported by countywide partner priorities. This Partnership Plan should therefore be read in conjunction with the Shropshire Partnership Plan. The Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership Plan also links to a number of other plans and strategies that have helped shape a Community Safety for the District. In addition to supporting the Safer Shropshire Partnership and its Partnership Plan, we will continue to draw upon the following to better inform our proposals and to help us work with partners more effectively:
- Shropshire LAA
- Annual Policing Plan
- Health Improvement Plan
- Bridgnorth District Open Spaces Strategy
| - Bridgnorth District Arts Strategy
- Bridgnorth District Community Strategy
- Shropshire Integrated Community Strategy
- Bridgnorth District Sports strategy
- Community Fire Safety Strategy
- Bridgnorth District Council Housing Strategy
| - Bridgnorth District Council’s Best Value Performance Plan
- Drug & Alcohol Strategies
- Bridgnorth District Rural Transport Partnership
- Bridgnorth District Council’s Corporate Plan
- Bridgnorth District Council Street Scene Strategy
|
Links with the Bridgnorth District Community Strategy
Local authorities have a duty to prepare Community Strategies, which they develop with other public, private and community sector organisations. Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) are a way of bringing together all these relevant stakeholders. Through the Bridgnorth District Community Partnership stakeholders can plan and deliver services more effectively to meet the needs that local people have identified.
One of the tasks for the Bridgnorth District Community Partnership is to produce an updated Community Partnership Plan that sets out the priorities for the District. The Partnership Plan is intended to be a living document that will allow organisations and local groups to measure the value of the work they are doing as well as to plan for the future. The challenge is for the LSP to listen and respond to the needs of the area and local communities through community based consultation and involvement.
Over the last three years the Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership has supported a variety of projects to tackle crime and disorder. Many of the projects have been delivered by our four task groups and are good examples of multi agency working to reduce crime. Our key achievements for the Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership since the launch of the last Community Safety strategy in 2005 include:
PSA1 Crime Achievements
Bridgnorth CDRP is currently on target to achieve a 15.26% reduction in PSA1 crime, based on the 2003/04 baseline (1461 PSA1 crimes per annum - now running at 1241 PSA 1 crimes per annum, or on average less than 3.4 crimes per day across a wide geographic area). One prolific offender can have a significant impact on crime numbers, and a particularly proactive response is therefore required from the partnership to respond to sometimes only small increases in numbers (as a small increase in numbers of crimes appears as a large increase in percentage of crimes).
Making a difference
CCTV
Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership has contributed almost 2/3rds of the funding to set up CCTV in Albrighton. The Partnership has also contributed to Bridgnorth Town Council CCTV for the provision of an extra camera in a hot spot location and funded Shifnal Town CCTV to update their current cameras to infra red capability. Other groups that have benefited from CCTV funding include Much Wenlock Town and Alveley Pavilion. By the end of March 2008, a further two dome mobile CCTV cameras will be located in hot spot areas in Bridgnorth District.
Pub and Shop WatchAlbrighton Traders Association have set up a radio link scheme to cover the Albrighton Village and surrounding rural farms using funding from Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership. Bridgnorth Pub Watch has also been awarded funding to fund ten radios for the pubs in Bridgnorth town and is now working with Bridgnorth Retail Shop Watch Scheme.
The Partnership/ASB Car
The 2 year leased Partnership/ASB car funded by the Partnership provides much needed transport for LPO’s and PCSO’s across Bridgnorth District.
Shed Alarms
In a bid to stop repeat victimisation, the Partnership has bought 150 multi function alarms that have 3 modes of operation. They can be used as a personal alarm/panic alarm, a door chime and a motion sensitive alarm for motorbikes, scooters, caravans and sheds. The alarms have been given out to residents affected by shed break ins across the district.
Cycle theft Prevention Packs
Over 1,000 anti-cycle theft packs have been delivered to libraries, information points and police stations across the district. They are also given out by Paul’s Pedal’s in Bridgnorth as part of a campaign to stop cycle thefts. The packs provide essential advice and labels to mark bicycles, including a wrap around label for attaching to cycles, security tips and a form to record bicycle details.
Property Marking
Using the latest technology Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership has provided a free property marking scheme for all Bridgnorth district residents. The property marking labels are three-dimensional thermal coded labels that are similar size to a postage stamp. A specialised scanner, operated by the Police, reads the labels unique address coding. The labels have a strong adhesive backing that can be stuck to any household appliances with a hard surface such as televisions, computers, stereos, DVD/VCR players etc. If the item is stolen and subsequently recovered, by using the scanner, the property can, following investigation, be returned to the rightful owner. Several areas have been completed which include (take up of scheme indicated in brackets); Romsley (33%), Quatt (30%), Alveley (30%), Worfield (12%), The Hobbins (15%), Much Wenlock (42%), Bridgnorth Town (16%), Highley (15%) and Shifnal (13%). Broseley, Albrighton and Claverly have also been completed all with a take up of 10%. This brings the total of residents taking up the scheme to around 3,000 equating to approximately 60,000 items of property labelled in Bridgnorth district so far.
Section 30 in Shifnal
April saw the end of the 3 month Dispersal Order under Section 30 of the Anti-Social behaviour Act 2003 in Shifnal. The Section 30 Order was implemented by West Mercia Police, Bridgnorth District Council, Shifnal Town Council, British Transport Police and Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership. The Dispersal Order was considered to be a success having reduced police recorded anti-social behaviour by 18.4% in the designated area. However there was some displacement from the designated S30 dispersal area, with police recording a 20% increase in anti social behaviour incidents elsewhere in Shifnal. Whilst there was also some displacement of crime from the dispersal area, Shifnal as a whole showed a 10.5% decrease in crime.
The Section 30 order was considered by residents as a benefit to the community during that period. Since the Section 30 Dispersal Order, further positive work has taken place in Shifnal, with funding provided by Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership enabling the Shifnal CCTV to be upgraded to infra-red capability. Additional diversionary activities have been introduced such as boxing, mobile skate park sessions and the mobile youth club. At Shifnal railway station there have been improvements to the station including security works and installation of CCTV. The youth forum is now working with the Partnership, the Local Policing team and Shifnal Town Council to provide a youth facility under the railway arches in Shifnal.
ASB Multi-Agency Team
In November, Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership together with Bridgnorth District Council Housing Section invited partners to an event to look at ASB in the district. Following on from this event it is intended to set up a multi-agency team to tackle anti-social behaviour, bringing together and sharing areas of expertise and knowledge. It will also provide colleagues with a shared understanding of local problems and offer support to officers dealing with ASB issues. A Multi-Agency task and finish team has been set up to look specifically at ASB in Highley from which an action plan has been prepared. This has resulted in targeted work by the Police with several ABC and ASB injunctions led by Bridgnorth District Council Housing section.
Road Safety
In partnership with the Camera Safety Partnership, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Bridgnorth District Council (Amenities and Housing & Property sections) and Bridgnorth Town Council have fitted road safety posters containing a start road safety message to a number of Bridgnorth town and Bridgnorth District Council utility vehicles. These vehicle’s operate six day’s a week across the district and it is hoped that the project will help to further promote the road safety message.
Water Safety
In partnership with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and supported by the Royal Society for the prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) and the Pub watch scheme, a total of 25,000 beer mats with a water safety message have been distributed to pubs close to the River Severn. The campaign called Don’t Drink and Drown is aimed at young people aged between 18-30.
Senior Safety
Three senior safety days were delivered in Bridgnorth Low Town, Much Wenlock and Highley, at which just under 200 older people attended. The senior safety events included talks from the West Mercia Police on crime prevention, from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service on fire safety in the home, as well as talks from Age Concern, and a session on slips and falls, including a sloppy slipper swap to encourage people to wear properly fitting slippers to cut the risk of slips and falls.
Community Safety Open Days
The Community Safety Partnership had several successful Community Safety Open Days and promotional stands across the district. The first Community Safety Open Day was in Claverley at the beginning of June following a request from the Claverley PACT meeting. Other Community Safety events included a stand at the Housing Fayre in July; Children’s Festival in August; Community Safety Open Days in September at Much Wenlock Fire Station and at Bridgnorth Police Station. In December there were two stands at Bridgnorth Town Christmas Fayre and Much Wenlock’s Christmas Fayre. The events and stands provided information on crime prevention and community safety issues for residents in the Bridgnorth district. They also provided an opportunity for residents to talk to Police, Fire Service, NHW and Community Safety professionals regarding matters of concern.
Claverley Grid Reference scheme
This scheme is being run in conjunction with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police. This is an address and map reference scheme where key partners process the address details for the area concerned and provide householders with a laminated card giving their full postal address with a 12 figure map reference. This card is then kept by the telephone for use by the occupier in the event of an emergency.
Motorcycle Safety Events
Due to the high number of motorcycle casualties within the district area, West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire & Rescue service have joined together under the Community Safety Partnership banner to promote motorbike safety by holding several events throughout the summer at bike meetings at Quatt (Ray’s Café) and Swancote. At the last summer bike meeting MP Phillip Dunn attended to speak to residents and motorcyclists regarding noise and speeding.
Xtreme Team Diversionary Activities
During the Easter and Summer holidays the Xtreme initiative took place across the district, focussing particularly on anti social behaviour hotspot areas. This is a diversionary programme for young people aged 13-17 which includes, mobile skate park, DJ and graffiti workshops, football, street dance, laser tag and much more.
Police Community Support Officers Training opportunities
The Community Safety Partnership has provided training for all PCSO’s and Local Police Officers on use of the Mobile Skate Park, to help further encourage its deployment. Leisure Services are also providing football coaching for the PCSO’s and the partnership. PSCO’s and Fire officers are also being trained in providing cycle safety training for young people in the district. The Partnership also funded LPO’s to attend a rural crime conference.
Boxing
Whilst the Section 30 Order was ongoing in Shifnal the Community Safety Partnership introduced boxing at Idsall Leisure Centre at the request of the young people of the town. The boxing sessions were then introduced to Highley at the Severn Centre on Friday evenings. The scheme has since been extended to Broseley. The boxing sessions provide approximately 100 young people across the district with access to exercise, health and nutrition advice, and self discipline every week.
“Hoodies and Fogies” - Intergenerational Project
The Community Safety Partnership has commissioned local consultants Wee 2 to conduct an intergenerational project that will help build respect, promote tolerance and generate understanding between older people (aged 65+) and young people (aged 11-19) in the district. A series of workshops which include story writing, photography and IT skill building sessions were held during February, culminating in an exhibition in March. The idea of the project is to get individuals from the different age groups working together so that they can teach each other new skills and re-educate one another about who they are and what they think about things - dispelling the misconceptions they may have developed about each other along the way.
Crucial Crew
From 19th June to 22nd June Crucial Crew took place at Oldbury Wells School. This is an annual event, which consists of real life scenarios such as stranger danger, water safety, road safety, peer pressure, first aid, criminal damage, fire safety, drugs and alcohol, crimestopper; 999 calls, bullying etc. Crucial Crew is arranged as a day event for young people aged 10-11years (year 6). Approximately 800 young people attend Crucial Crew over a five day period. The Community Safety Partnership continues to support this worthwhile and successful activity week, which educates young people before they begin secondary school
Domestic Violence Counselling Service
The Domestic Violence Forum in partnership with Bridgnorth District Council’s Housing section and the County Council’s Children and Family Services team has funded a Domestic Violence Outreach Worker (4 days per month). This is a much needed counselling service for victims who have decided to stay in the home and for those who are considering steps to leave a domestic abusive relationship.
Bridgnorth District Council - Community Safety Grants
Bridgnorth District Council also as a commitment to helping local communities combat crime and disorder and promoting community safety by providing small grants to community groups across Bridgnorth district. In 2007-08 Albrighton Traders were granted £920.00 to set up a pub and shop watch radio link scheme. Bridgnorth Pub watch also received £1,900.00 to go towards 10 radio’s which now links with Bridgnorth Retail imitative. Shifnal Speed Watch applied for a grant of £750 to purchase a speed gun. Alveley Recreation Association were granted £1,520.00 to purchase security fencing at the Pavilion in Alveley. Bridgnorth Crime Prevention Panel received £1,900.00 to contribute to Crucial Crew.
