Hampshire Constabulary

Shanklin

You said: Tackle anti social behaviour in key areas of Shanklin.
We did: There were 118 fewer victims of crime in Shanklin in 2009/10 compared to 2008/09. Reports of violence, burglary, thefts and criminal damage all went down. The Shanklin Safer Neighbourhoods team acted on reports from residents near Batts Copse since a new play area was opened. Police worked with Isle of Wight Council’s Environment and Neighbourhoods Officer (ENO), and we have been able to put up a CCTV camera, which allows us to download information when we have incidents reported. Foot patrols have been increased and the Safer Neighbourhoods team works alongside our Targeted Patrol Team colleagues who are given hotspot areas for patrolling during any time they have between 999 calls. These areas are determined by information we receive and what officers notice whilst on neighbourhood patrols. We’ve assisted with the installation of brighter lighting on the revetment. There are regular patrols of this area. There has been just one report of minor graffiti during the past six months. We responded to this report quickly with help from Isle of Wight Council’s ENO.

You said: Tackle underage drinking
We did: The police continue to work with Isle of Wight Council and off-licences on an under 21 scheme where participating shops in Shanklin refuse to sell alcohol to anyone aged under 21 on Fridays and Saturdays from 6.00pm. We help monitor the sales, licence conditions of stores, and work with young people affected by alcohol. ‘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.

You said: Tackle anti-social behaviour in Landguard Road
We did: The Shanklin Safer Neighbourhoods team acted on persistent reports of extensive anti-social behaviour linked to houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) in Landguard Road. Plans were made to serve warning and closure notices on the manager and residents.

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. There were 73 fewer victims of crime in Lake during 2009/10 compared with 2007/08.

Your Lake Safer Neighbourhoods team continues to work with local partner agencies to reduce the number of anti-social behaviour incidents and to improve the service given to victims. There were 677 fewer reports of anti-social behaviour across the island. We know that reducing anti-social behaviour is the key to making our residents feel safer and more confident about living in Lake. Repeat offenders have been placed on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) with co-operation from Housing Associations. If the contract is breached, offenders can face eviction and an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO). Local councillor Jerry White said:  "The fear that used to prevent people going out in Lake has been replaced by a whole different atmosphere in the village, because people can see not just a PCSO but a policeman on the beat. Everyone seems to be working together to get something done."

More action taken by the Shanklin and Lake Safer Neighbourhoods team

New police officer for Lake
(March 2010)

I would like to take the opportunity on the Shanklin and Lake SNT web pages to introduce myself. I’m PC Dave Eastham, the new dedicated police officer for the Lake area. I’ve replaced PC Mick Baxter who retired from the force recently after more than 30 years of exemplary service. I have 20 years’ experience with the police in Dorset and on the Isle of Wight working in Public Protection, as an area car driver, and on the beat in East Cowes. I’m pleased to report that crime in Shanklin and Lake remains lower than last year. There were 162 fewer victims of crime in the area between April 2009 and March 2010, compared to the same period a year earlier. The community will always play a crucial role in keeping crime down so never hesitate in reporting any concerns to us by phoning 101 or e-mailing sandownbay.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk When you see me on patrol in Lake, please don’t be afraid to speak with me openly or in confidence. Under the Policing Pledge, your local Safer Neighbourhoods team is dedicated to spending most of its time working visibly in the community on the issues that matter most to you. I look forward to meet more of you as I walk the beat.

PC Dave Eastham

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
(June 2009)

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.”