Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
MIA
I talk about the Lancashire Evening Post a lot here. It's because, as an outsider, it's my main source of news in these parts. Having been away for Christmas, I've been looking to find it in Essentials, the shop that is part of UCLan's Students' Union. No joy, two days running! I really should have picked it up when I was "down town"...
Atheism On The Buses
I didn't quite know what to make of it when I saw that an extensive advertising campaign was being undertaken to announce that God might not exist. I thought the slogan was curious: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." The campaign is led by atheists, who surely believe that there is in fact no God? So this speculative statement seems a little uncharacteristic. Anyway, as I read on I found myself agreeing with the theology think tank Theos: "The posters will encourage people to consider the most important question we will ever face in our lives." Interesting stuff all round I guess. A similar US campaign ran in November with "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake" as their slogan. Maybe there isn't a God, and if not, the above sentiments are noble. I think it's the uncertainty that keeps it all interesting...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Farringdon Covered
For Andy Bradbury, police press officer for Central Lancashire, MOPPIN Up Dodge is part of a general approach. This was not a situation where the “police do things without asking first,” but one in which the community could say “We have a problem with crime and disorder and we’d like get involved.” “We’re supporting them,” says Bradbury. It’s about what the community needs in terms of anti-social behaviour and crime prevention. The approach covered the Farringdon area, marked on the map below.
View Larger Map
One can see the area as it is now, as well as the way in which the press was used to name and shame known criminals. This approach worked in tandem with the other aspects of the initiative to make living in the estates a more positive experience for residents and those in nearby areas.
View Larger Map
One can see the area as it is now, as well as the way in which the press was used to name and shame known criminals. This approach worked in tandem with the other aspects of the initiative to make living in the estates a more positive experience for residents and those in nearby areas.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
MOPPIN Up Dodge
The Farringdon estates look quiet and homely, with no giveaway signs of any previous problems with drugs or violence. Scratch the surface, however, and it’s a different story. Walls and lamp-posts are branded with warnings of anti vandal paint, large gates block entry to open spaces, and erstwhile playgrounds appear barren or damaged.
The recent success of MOPPIN up Dodge at the European Crime Prevention Awards has come after many months of hard work by the police, the Community Gateway Association and the people of Farringdon.
Problems
The area was faced with, among other things, gang culture, overt drug dealing and taking, an under-used community centre and a lack of diversionary activities. The initiative sought to reduce crime, disrupt drug dealing, dissolve the local “Farry Park Original Gangsters”, remove the fear of crime for locals while improving the environmental appearance of the area.
This was achieved by the issuing of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and drug warrants, evictions and arrests, and the use of a mobile police station. In terms of the physical aspect of the area, clean-up days were introduced, and lighting and fencing was improved.
Residents were encouraged to get involved with the initiative, by The media was also used as a deterrent for criminals, as articles such as this were published in the Lancashire Evening Post naming and shaming known criminals in the area.
“Dodge City”
Crummock Road, once known as Dodge City, had become something of a ghost town, with unoccupied houses being used for the purposes of drug dealing. These houses were demolished in June 2007, offering new hope for the area. It is thought that they may be replaced with housing for the elderly, who can now live in this area without fear.
Following the intervention the number of crimes was reduced 131, while great financial savings were made. The police saved somewhere in the region of £125,000 annually, and the Community Gateway’s costs were reduced by 72%.
The project, which has now won awards both nationally and internationally, is no doubt an inspiration to those in other troubled areas.
Submissions to the Home Office’s Tilley Award (first place) and the Herman Goldstein Award (finalist) can be seen here and here.
The recent success of MOPPIN up Dodge at the European Crime Prevention Awards has come after many months of hard work by the police, the Community Gateway Association and the people of Farringdon.
Problems
The area was faced with, among other things, gang culture, overt drug dealing and taking, an under-used community centre and a lack of diversionary activities. The initiative sought to reduce crime, disrupt drug dealing, dissolve the local “Farry Park Original Gangsters”, remove the fear of crime for locals while improving the environmental appearance of the area.
This was achieved by the issuing of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and drug warrants, evictions and arrests, and the use of a mobile police station. In terms of the physical aspect of the area, clean-up days were introduced, and lighting and fencing was improved.
Residents were encouraged to get involved with the initiative, by The media was also used as a deterrent for criminals, as articles such as this were published in the Lancashire Evening Post naming and shaming known criminals in the area.
“Dodge City”
Crummock Road, once known as Dodge City, had become something of a ghost town, with unoccupied houses being used for the purposes of drug dealing. These houses were demolished in June 2007, offering new hope for the area. It is thought that they may be replaced with housing for the elderly, who can now live in this area without fear.
Following the intervention the number of crimes was reduced 131, while great financial savings were made. The police saved somewhere in the region of £125,000 annually, and the Community Gateway’s costs were reduced by 72%.
The project, which has now won awards both nationally and internationally, is no doubt an inspiration to those in other troubled areas.
Submissions to the Home Office’s Tilley Award (first place) and the Herman Goldstein Award (finalist) can be seen here and here.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Preston Initiative Wins European Award
A Preston-based partnership between the police and the Community Gateway Association recently won the top award at the European Crime Prevention Awards in Paris.
MOPPIN up Dodge, a joint Lancashire Police and Community Gateway Association initiative which focused on the Farringdon Estate in Preston, was awarded €20,000 by the EU Crime Prevention Network (EUCPN).
The area, which had suffered from crime, anti-social behaviour, drugs and related problems, has undergone a transformation under the eyes of Police Officers PC Gary Salisbury and PS Dave Johnson, and Sue Roach, Community Safety Manager at Gateway
Improving the lives of ordinary people
Chief Inspector Nikki Evans said: "This partnership initiative is indicative of work ongoing by Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the city of Preston. Our aim is to improve the lives of ordinary people and I am pleased to see that the work done here by our officers and Community Gateway has been recognised at an international level. This is just one example of the hard work and commitment our Neighbourhood Policing Teams demonstrate each and every day in their efforts to improve local peoples lives."
Great success for the people
Sue Roach of Community Gateway said: "Working in partnership with both Lancashire police and other local agencies, this project has seen us achieve great success for the people of this once troubled area. To win this award for the UK is a great honour. The projects success lies in how we have worked together with residents and the wider community. With our partners we have targeted persistent offenders and the results have been seen in the courage and the strength of the people involved to stand up to make their lives better."
A proud day
Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells said: "This is a proud day for Preston and the residents on the Farringdon Estate. In terms of what the competition judges were looking for this project ticked all the boxes, the rigorous approach to analysing the problem, the partnership with the police and the success of the project in both qualitative and quantitative terms."
Former President of France Valery Giscard D'Estaing presented the award to representatives from Lancashire Police and Gateway together with Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells.
EUPCN
The EUCPN was set up in May 2001 by an EU Council Decision to promote crime prevention activity across the European Union. It identifies good practice in crime prevention, and shares this knowledge across the Union through seminars and conferences.
MOPPIN up Dodge, a joint Lancashire Police and Community Gateway Association initiative which focused on the Farringdon Estate in Preston, was awarded €20,000 by the EU Crime Prevention Network (EUCPN).
The area, which had suffered from crime, anti-social behaviour, drugs and related problems, has undergone a transformation under the eyes of Police Officers PC Gary Salisbury and PS Dave Johnson, and Sue Roach, Community Safety Manager at Gateway
Improving the lives of ordinary people
Chief Inspector Nikki Evans said: "This partnership initiative is indicative of work ongoing by Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the city of Preston. Our aim is to improve the lives of ordinary people and I am pleased to see that the work done here by our officers and Community Gateway has been recognised at an international level. This is just one example of the hard work and commitment our Neighbourhood Policing Teams demonstrate each and every day in their efforts to improve local peoples lives."
Great success for the people
Sue Roach of Community Gateway said: "Working in partnership with both Lancashire police and other local agencies, this project has seen us achieve great success for the people of this once troubled area. To win this award for the UK is a great honour. The projects success lies in how we have worked together with residents and the wider community. With our partners we have targeted persistent offenders and the results have been seen in the courage and the strength of the people involved to stand up to make their lives better."
A proud day
Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells said: "This is a proud day for Preston and the residents on the Farringdon Estate. In terms of what the competition judges were looking for this project ticked all the boxes, the rigorous approach to analysing the problem, the partnership with the police and the success of the project in both qualitative and quantitative terms."
Former President of France Valery Giscard D'Estaing presented the award to representatives from Lancashire Police and Gateway together with Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells.
EUPCN
The EUCPN was set up in May 2001 by an EU Council Decision to promote crime prevention activity across the European Union. It identifies good practice in crime prevention, and shares this knowledge across the Union through seminars and conferences.
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