Working In Partnership To Reduce Crime
"crime and the fear of crime was reduced significantly during this period"
For the two-week period commencing 27th October to the 7th of November Wandsworth Borough Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNT) and partners conducted a broad range of activities and operations.
Leading up to this period all businesses selling fireworks and knives were visited by SNT along with Trading Standards. They were given crime prevention advice and checks were made to ensure that they were trading in compliance with legislation.
Police cadets assisted with 'test purchase' operations for knives and fireworks. Responsible selling 'contracts' were agreed with shops selling flour and eggs.
There were high visibility foot and bike patrols on each Ward. These patrols were supported by police carriers, which patrolled and reacted to any emerging situations.
Schools officers conducted enhanced patrols in and around schools. Knife arches were deployed at transport hubs and there were extra patrols every day on public transport along major routes within the borough.
Police officers worked alongside the local authority in the council CCTV control room where they acted as 'spotters' for known trouble- makers and suspects.
The results:
- This initiative resulted in over 30 arrests for various offences.
- There were over 1000 less phone calls made to the police including over 300 less '999' calls.
- There where over 300 less calls for police to deal with fireworks and nearly 200 less calls to antisocial behaviour incidents.
- There was a significant reduction in crime across the board during this period.
‘By working closely with our partners, crime and the fear of crime was reduced significantly during this period compared with this time in previous years making Wandsworth a safer place for all’
November 19, 2008