Welcome to the Portsmouth Central sector community news page. Here you can read about the latest work the Central sector has been up to to improve your area, and the latest tips we can give you to improve your personal safety.
News
One Punch Can Kill Campaign hits Portsmouth
People enjoying a night out in Portsmouth are being warned about the dangers of getting into a drunken fight, as the Safer Portsmouth Partnership launches a hard-hitting campaign to combat alcohol-fuelled violence across the city.
‘One Punch Can Kill’ aims to remind people that too much drink can turn a good night into a tragic disaster with potentially lethal consequences.
Pubs and Clubs in Portsmouth are supporting the campaign following the death of Kyle Bartlett. Tragically, on May 5th 2009, he was fatally injured during a fight inside a bar on Guildhall Walk.
His mother is now campaigning to reduce alcohol-related violence in Portsmouth’s bars, pubs and clubs. Ann Bartlett wants to educate young people in schools and colleges as well as licensees, bar staff and door staff.
Chief Inspector Dave Humphries leads on alcohol-related violence for the police in Portsmouth. He said: “I don’t think anyone ever leaves home on a Friday or Saturday night with the intention of killing someone.
“But if you get into a fight after a few drinks and throw a punch which ends up seriously wounding or killing someone else, could you live with yourself?
“Although rare, the two deaths related to alcohol in the city over the last two years are a sad but all too real reminder of the consequences of drink-fuelled violence.
“There’s no shame in walking away from trouble and persuading your mates to do so as well because throwing that punch is just not worth the risks.”
Click here to read the full story and find out more about the campaign.
Summer 2011 Dispersal Orders
The Charles Dickens and St Thomas Safer Neighbourhoods teams are running two Dispersal Orders this summer to put a stop to anti-social and dangerous behaviour in the central area of Portsmouth.
These orders will set zones in the Camber Docks and Queen Street areas of Portsmouth, that will allow officers to move on groups of two or more people that are acting anti-socially. Should they choose to return to the zones within 24 hours, they can be issued with a fine of up to £2,500 or can be sent to prison.
It is hoped that the dispersals will not only stop anti-social behaviour, but will protect people from 'tombstoning', or jumping from the Camber Docks in the hot weather into the sometimes shallow and potentially dangerous waters.
Portsmouth Central Inspector Greg Moore said: “These two areas of the city centre have both suffered from anti-social behaviour in the summer months of previous years. Having dispersal orders in place helps us to combat this, and keeps people safe from potential harm jumping into Camber Docks where they can not see what is beneath them.
“By putting these orders in place in Queen Street and the Camber Docks, we can deal with anti-social behaviour and improve local residents’ and business owners’ quality of life.
New dates announced for Cycle Marking in 2011
We are pleased to tell you we have now secured dates for our cycle marking scheme to continue to run throughout 2011. The scheme has been so successful and we'd be happy to mark your bike free of charge.
We are holding Cycle Marking days throughout the year on Commercial Road. Come and meet us by the fountain, and your your bike security marked free of charge. We will be at Commercial Road on the following dates:
- Friday, May 6
- Friday, June 3
- Monday, July 4
- Monday,August 3
- Monday, August 15
- Monday, September 5
- Saturday, October 8
Child Safe scheme launched in Cascades
In December, PCSO Lee Wright of the City Centre
unit SNT launched the new 'Child Safe' scheme in the Cascades shopping centre.
The s
cheme involves a child being given a wrist band to wear that has the parent or guardian's name and phone number on. Participating areas then have 'Child Safe Zones' so that if a child gets lost, they can obtain help from there, and be reunited with their loved ones.
PCSO Wright said: "Child Safety is a massive issue everywhere, and knowing how easily a child can get lost in busy areas, I wanted to get a scheme set up in the city centre.
"Cascades has the scheme active in all of its stores, however I hope to expand on this and get Commercial Road and surrounding areas involved as well. I want people to visit the city centre with their children in confidence, knowing that there is help there if they need it."
Cyclists get educated on Road Safety
In response to concerns that were raised about irresponsible cyclists, Safer Neighbourhoods teams joined forces with the Roads Policing unit torun two education and enforcement operations in cyclist hotspots across the city.
We recently submitted information about irresponsible cyclists to the Roads Policing unit, who ran a large scale operation in hotspots around the city that are heavily used by people in bikes.
In just two days, a fantastic 300 cyclists were stopped and spoken to about the dangers they could be putting themselves and others in by cycling without considering other people and their own safety.
PC Craig Pearson said: "To help promote cycle safety in the city, hotspot areas such as the Hard were targeted. Cyclists were spoken to about the dangers they can cause others by riding on pavements, and the dangers they cause themselves by not wearing high visibility wear and safety gear. I hope that this advice was taken on, as it only takes a second for a pedestrian or vehicle to cross a cyclist's path.
"We are also distributing advice on cycle safety to everyone we can, to raise awareness and promote personal safety."
Crime Prevention
Shopping advice
We are offering simple but effective advice to which can help to prevent crimes from happening to you when you are out and about. Read below for our simple tips:
- Never leave your personal possessions unattended
- Don’t keep all your money in one place
- Carry your bag in front of you
- Cover your pin number when you are taking out cash at an ATM cash point
- Don’t leave gifts or valuables inside the car for all to see
For more information, click on the image to the right.
Staying BikeSafe
Bike theft is an ongoing priority for us, and we often find that the victims had sadly not properly secured their bike. Theives know what insecurities to look for, so we are offering the following tips for protecting your bicycle:
- Don't leave your bike unlocked, even for a minute
- Always lock through both the wheel and frame - Use a good quality, strong bicycle lock (D lock style recommended)
- Never leave valuables with your bicycle
- Always use purpose built bike racks or cycle sheds
- If you have a garage or shed at home, use it and lock it
- Write down the make, model and frame number of your bicycle, and keep it in a safe place (ask us for a free cycle passport)
- Should your bike be stolen, a photograph of you with your bike will help to prove it's yours
- Get your bicycle security marked at one of our FREE cycle marking sessions
Concerned about your bike security? Why not fill in a Bike Safe form and email it to us. That way if your bike is ever stolen and recovered, we will know it is yours and can return it to you.
PBCRP is a membership partnership between business, community, local authority and police. The aim is to work in partnership to combat crime and anti-social behaviour within our retail areas, thereby making Portsmouth a safer place for everyone.
If you or your business would like further information about the PBCRP or you would like to join and become a member, please visit the website by clicking on the logo.
Free Crime Reduction Survey - Officers are available to produce a free crime reduction strategy for your premises and surrounding environment. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a visit by emailing the PBCRP Crime Manager via citycentreunitbeats@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Federation Against Copyright Theft
The City Centre Unit Safer Neighbourhoods team are trained in FACT - the Federadtion Against Copyright Theft.
FACT’s primary purpose is to protect the United Kingdom’s film and broadcasting industry against counterfeiting, copyright and trademark infringements. Members of the public may have seen FACT advertisements playing in cinemas, warning them not to attempt to illegally record the film showing.
Officers from across the Xross Border Alliance (see below) are also trained so that the response to this crime will be the same in across the local area.
For more information, please click on the image.
Xross Border Alliance
The 'Xross Border Alliance' is a project created to combat retail crime. There are a lot of criminals who travel between areas to commit retail crime, so we are working together to share information on those criminals, to ensure that you don't become a victim.
The Alliance is made up of police, the Portsmouth Business Crime Reduction Partnership, the probation service, Trading Standards and FACT. If you work in an agency or partnership that works in tackling retail crime you are welcome to join.
We work with officers from a number of neighbouring areas, including Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Petersfield, Waterlooville and Chichester. The London South Area Unit of the British Transport Police are also in the Alliance.
To become involved in the Alliance and attend future meetings please contact Sgt Rob Sutton at citycentreunitbeats@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Working to lower crime in the area
Employer Supported Policing
Employer Supported Policing or ESP is a partnership between some of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's employers and Hampshire Constabulary, providing police training for staff.
We are pleased to announce that the Portsmouth Central Sector now has three ESP specials working with them. This will greatly benefit memebers of the public in terms of keeping the peace and lowering rates of retail crime in the area. For more information on ESP, please click here.
Street Pastors
Street Pastors work on Friday and Saturday nights, and assist us by patrolling the Guildhall area of the city centre.
They help the vulnerable by assisting police in low level disorder, and offering support and advice to members of the public. They are proving something of a success and have been very busy.
For more information please click here.
Get in touch
We want to hear from you about any problems you would like us to address in your area.
If you would like to speak to us, you can call 101 and ask for your local Safer Neighbourhoods team. Alternatively, you can email Fratton station at the following address: central.sector@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
You can also come and meet us at one of our 'beat surgeries', which are held on a regular basis at a number of locations in the area. Please click on the links below for further information on where you can meet your local officers.
Charles Dickens Safer Neighbourhoods team (east)
Charles Dickens Safer Neighbourhoods team (west)
St Thomas Safer Neighbourhoods team
Portsmouth City Centre unit
