Hampshire Constabulary

Shanklin

You said....Tackle anti social behaviour in key areas of Shanklin.
We did....Arrests of known criminals have reduced crime and several initiatives have kept anti social behaviour down.

‘Gatekeeping’ meetings each month are attended by a range of partner agencies and representatives from all schools in the area. ‘Gatekeeping’ aims to empower parents to take responsibility for their children and obtain support if necessary. This process cuts the lengthy time referrals can take and assists the person in dealing with issues they have. An improvement in behaviour is evident. There were more than 100 fewer crimes in Shanklin between April and December 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Reports of violence, burglary, theft and criminal damage are all down.

A joint scheme between Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire Constabulary and off-licences aimed at tackling alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, is being expanded into two new towns.The scheme, first launched in Ryde in May 2008, will operate in Sandown and Shanklin from Friday 27 February, 2009. It sees participating shops refuse to sell alcohol to anyone aged under 21 years old on Fridays and Saturdays from 6.00pm until closing time. The expansion of the initiative is the latest in a number of measures between Isle of Wight Council and its partners, including local businesses, to cut down anti-social behaviour. Results from the scheme in Ryde have been very positive, including reducing the problem of 'proxy selling' where those of a legal age buy alcohol to pass onto young people under 18 years old. Participating businesses have also reported less trouble on Friday and Saturday nights with many youths discouraged from attempting to purchase and congregating outside their premises.

PC Paul McPartlin of Shanklin Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "Police are keen to support projects preventing underage drinking affecting the community in Shanklin. This scheme will serve as a reminder to young people and their families that alcohol related anti-social behaviour is not tolerated, and the police are prepared to take action with partner agencies and businesses."

You said....Reduce dog fouling
We did....We informed Isle of Wight Council, which is responsible for this matter.

You said....Stop vehicles damaging water pipes
We did....We informed Isle of Wight Council.

Lake

You said....Reduce dog fouling on coastal paths and Lake slipway.
We did....We informed Isle of Wight Council, which is responsible for this matter.

You said....Respond to concerns about cycling on the revetment.
We did....We informed Isle of Wight Council, which is responsible for this matter.

You said....Respond to concerns about a junction in Whitecross Lane.
We did.... We informed Isle of Wight Council, which is responsible for this matter.

More action taken by the Shanklin and Lake Safer Neighbourhoods team

School children in Lake join Junior Neighbourhood Watch scheme

by Duncan Smith
A group of school children on the Isle of Wight are playing a bigger role in helping to keep their community a safe place to live and learn thanks to a police project. Pupils from years five and six at Lake Middle School completed a course to form the first Junior Neighbourhood Watch scheme on the island in March 2009.

The idea came from the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Lake, Jackie May, who holds regular community meetings at the school. She said:  “My suggestion to start a Junior Neighbourhood Watch scheme with school children was put forward as a way to support their education on being responsible members of society. The course broadened interest in Neighbourhood Watch, and challenged the perception that it only involves older people.”Pupils were given an introduction to the purpose of Neighbourhood Watch to limit the opportunities for crime, to help and reassure local residents, and encourage closer co-operation within communities, and with the police. These principles were reinforced by PCSO May who gave pupils crime prevention advice including safety when travelling on buses and at night, securing and marking personal property, and protecting mobile phones and bicycles from thieves.

PCSO May added: “The course made children and their families more aware of what they can do together to make a positive contribution to the areas where they live, and take a leading role in establishing safer communities both today, and in the future. “I would like this first scheme to encourage more Junior Neighbourhood Watch schemes in schools across the Isle of Wight.”  

Lake Middle School Assistant Headteacher Chris Ball said:  “It’s important for pupils to see the police in a role where they’re here to help children, and we hope to continue this close working liaison with officers.”Year five pupil Chris Taylor, age nine, said: “I really enjoyed the experience of the course, learning how to stay safe with our local PCSO, who’s the best.” Elizabeth Hutchings, age ten, said: “I learned about being responsible in the neighbourhood and being aware of something I see that might be suspicious.”

Shanklin and Lake Safer Neighbourhoods Team's work stars on national TV

by Duncan Smith
Actions and achievements in maintaining the Isle of Wight as a safe place to live and visit were highlighted during a new series on national TV.  BBC One’s Crimewatch Roadshow visited the Island as part of a week of programmes featuring the work of Hampshire Constabulary and its community safety partners. The BBC filmed various aspects of the dedicated policing operation at the Isle of Wight Festival outside Seaclose Park in Newport. Crimewatch Roadshow also focused on an Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) initiative to tackle inappropriate graffiti and the offenders responsible.  The BBC interviewed Isle of Wight Council staff working on the local authority’s online gallery of graffiti tags, accompanied Council Environment and Neighbourhoods Officer (ENO) Linda Shorter on patrol looking for graffiti with Safer Neighbourhoods police officer PC Mick Baxter, and filmed IW Council contractors ‘Community Clean’ removing the graffiti with specialist equipment. 

IW Council ENO Linda Shorter and PC Mick Baxter on BBC Crimewatch Roadshow, June 2009

Isle of Wight OCU Inspector Paul Savill said:  "The Crimewatch Roadshow programme highlighted to a national audience the results achieved by co-operation between the police, Isle of Wight Council, Cranstoun and security companies. These combined efforts are vital to maintain neighbourhoods where people are safe and feel safe. The successful tactics and techniques employed at the Isle of Wight Festival have gone from strength to strength over a number of years, and are acknowledged as examples of good practice by other police forces."

Isle of Wight Council Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods Stuart Love said:  “Isle of Wight Council works very closely with its partners including the police to crack down on anti-social behaviour and reduce the fear of crime. Some people may not be fully aware of the work that goes on behind the scenes to continue to make sure the Isle of Wight remains one of the safest places in the UK. The BBC Crimewatch Roadshow sent out a reassuring message to a national audience that the council, Hampshire Constabulary and its partners are winning the battle to reduce crime and the fear of crime on the Isle of Wight.”