New role to tackle anti-social behaviour

New Neighbourhood Safety Co-Ordinator Carolyn James says her role will be to tackle anti social behaviour in two ways.

She will be co-ordinating reactions from South Norfolk Council and its partners, to achieve the quickest possible response and talking to communities to resolve such issues before they get out of control.

Carolyn acknowledges that South Norfolk is a safe, low crime area, but believes it takes effective partnership work to maintain this “peaceful and enjoyable balance.”

She said:

“Incidents of anti-social behaviour could include excessive noise from a neighbouring property or a public amenity, unacceptable behaviour from individuals or groups such as intimidating local residents or causing damage to the locality, or excessive littering or fly-tipping. If a resident of South Norfolk is suffering from noise or nuisance that affects their quality of life, we have a responsibility to respond quickly, in the most appropriate way.

“Although this is a new position, many of my council colleagues in services such as Environmental Health and Housing, have been helping local residents to overcome anti social behaviour issues as part of their daily duties for some time. My role is to bring that work together to make it more effective.”

At the heart of her work will be the victims.

“The key element is working together with the victims to achieve the level of well-being that they expect and deserve. As well as co-ordinating an effective response to anti social behaviour in the district, I will engage with local communities to resolve such issues before they arise, building residents’ confidence to address the issues and reducing the fear of crime.

“In situations where enforcement is the only option, I will be able to work with others, such as the police, to enforce the powers we have to tackle the offenders.”

Carolyn, 32, was born and grew up in Pulham St Mary and attended Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston. She has been Community Safety Officer at the council for three years. Before that she was a Community Fire Safety Officer at Norfolk Fire Service for three years from 1998. She lives in Great Moulton with her husband and two year old son.

Her work in the last three years has involved co-ordinating the South Norfolk Crime Reduction Partnership, working closely with for example, the Police, Youth Service, Fire Service and Home Watch to reduce crime and disorder.

Summing up, Carolyn said:

“ In my new role I will be analysing crime data from many sources and individuals and taking the appropriate action. I will also allocate Home Office funding to projects dedicated to reducing anti-social behaviour.

“As an integral part of the South Norfolk Crime Reduction Partnership, a working group has been formed to tackle immediate issues, and case conferences will be called in response to individual instances of anti-social behaviour as they arise.

“It is vital that we listen to victims of anti social behaviour and work with them and their local communities to challenge the offenders and their behaviour. Together we can make South Norfolk even safer.”

Members of the public can contact Carolyn James on 01508 533670 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, or by e-mail cjames@s-norfolk.gov.uk or at South Norfolk Council, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, Norfolk, NR15 2XE

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