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.