NEWS RELEASES
More volunteers are helping battle with crime
1st December 2006
THE expanding role of volunteers assisting in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour was among many interesting issues highlighted at the Council’s recent State of the District Debate.
There was also much praise for the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (HCDRP) - in which the Council has an important stake - described by the police chief for North Downs Division as 'one of the most effective (partnerships) around'. It's evident that the police cannot solve all problems that come along and that public involvement is becoming more and more important.
For many years we have seen how Neighbourhood Watch can play a vital part in keeping people informed and alerting police to problems, however there are many other initiatives going on including the Horse Watch scheme, which is run by a local committee; Sussex Police's successful Farm Watch scheme, as well as the North Downs Neighbourhood Watch Search Team, which has a team of 70 fully trained volunteers ready to join the police when major searches are required, usually for both young and elderly missing people. The HCDRP has helped with the provision of equipment for these volunteers from North Sussex, including 45 from the Horsham area, whose skills have been utilised already in West Sussex. The Search Team is keen to attract more members – please call 01444 445965 for details.
Another example of trained volunteers in action is the staff who run the Community Police Office in Lintot Square, Southwater. Collectively, they have won the prestigious Queen's Award For Voluntary Service 2006, in recognition of their excellent service to their community. For over ten years, local residents in Southwater have been volunteering to help staff their local police office and provide a visible and reassuring link between the local community and the Police. The feasibility of setting up a similar office in Billingshurst is being explored.
Neighbourhood Wardens continue to play a significant role in Ashington, Steyning, Upper Beeding and Bramber, with new junior warden schemes on the way. There are also seven Action Teams operating at Billingshurst, Horsham’s Bishopric, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham’s Victory Road Recreation Ground, Pulborough, Southwater and Storrington/Sullington in which volunteers are monitoring local problems and producing action plans for addressing them.
The HCDRP is continually looking at new ideas and in the pipeline for next year is a joint project with the Brighton Road Baptist Church in Horsham to provide youth workers to cover Horsham Park during the busy summer months. It’s planned to provide experienced people who will be able to offer advice to young people and to help them make informed choices, with an emphasis on the question of alcohol use.
Another recent initiative is the £100 reward scheme for information leading to arrests which operates through a 24 hour hotline on 01403 215186, from which there has been positive feedback. For information that could be helpful to Crimestoppers the number is 0800 555 111, and for the HCDRP you can call 01403 215527. For reporting a crime in progress, dial 999.
Ends
Councillor Bernard Baldwin, The Chairman, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RL.
Email: contactchairman@horsham.gov.uk