On Your Bike, Crime Fighters!

South Norfolk Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership has opened a new front in its fight against crime and the fear of crime. Following their quarterly meeting at South Norfolk Council, the CDRP unveiled its two new "caddy" vans, which can get Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and their bikes right into rural areas.

The vans each carry two bikes and two officers who can cycle round the district and link up with local people.

Councillor Jill Caldwell, who chairs the CDRP said:

"This is a fantastic initiative because its roots our police service right in the community we serve. Although we live is a very safe part of the world, there is still fear of crime and this is a big reassurance for our people.

"It is also a deterence, especially in the run up to Christmas. If you are up to no good, you are not likely to hear these bikes if they swoop on you. We're moving the fear back to the criminals, where it belongs."

Councillor Philip Waltham who as Cabinet member leads on Safer Communities at South Norfolk Council said:

"We can be assured that the introduction of these vehicles will give a quicker local response and a more significant police contact where it is needed and they can be welcomed by the whole community as a very positive step in community policing.

"They will also assist our aim to reduce crime in South Norfolk, which already has one of the lowest offence rates in the country, by 15% over the next three years."

PCSO Darrin Sore, of Wymondham said:

"Policing close to people is why I joined the force. Now I can park up, pull the bike out of the back and then be around rural villages and towns, meeting people. The bikes are excellent - they are tough, rugged but fast.

"The bikes are great for rapid response in towns and are a real icebreaker with the kids we meet."

South Norfolk Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) is about partners and the community working together to fight crime.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998, amended by the Police Reform Act 2002, places a duty on South Norfolk Council, Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Police Authority, Norfolk Fire Authority and Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust to work together to reduce crime, disorder and drug misuse across the district.

The aims are to co-ordinate the work of the partnership members and develop new ways of working that will tackle the reality of crime, as it exists in South Norfolk.

Every three years the CDRP works with the community to “audit” crime to find out how much crime there is, what patterns of crime, disorder and drug misuse we have. It is published, for consultation via the council website and the through the crime survey.

When the CDRP has this, it plans the next three-year fight against crime, with a strategy, and an annual progress report.

The CDRP is led by the Responsible Authorities Partnership, followed by the Steering group and culminating with the Action groups.

The Responsible Authorities Partnership (R.A.P.) Chair Person; Geoff Rivers

Geoff Rivers, Chief Executive, South Norfolk Council Richard Elliott, Chief Fire Officer, Norfolk County Council Tony Cherrington, Chief Superintendent, Norfolk Constabulary Angela Jordan, Member, Norfolk Police Authority Andy Lyle, Central Area Commander, Norfolk Fire Authority Jonathan Cook, Director Cinical/Corporate Governance Southern Norfolk PCT.

The Partnership Steering Group.Chair Person Cllr Jill Caldwell Organisations/Agencies The South Norfolk Community, South Norfolk Council, Norfolk Constabulary, Police Community Safety Team, Norfolk Drug & Alcohol Action Team, Town Councils, Punch Taverns (regional management), Norfolk Fire Service, Norfolk Probation Service, Norfolk Youth & Community Service, Parish Councils, Norfolk Children’s Fund, Home Watch, Norfolk Youth Offending Team, Norwich & Norfolk Race equality Council, Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust, Broads Authority, Housing Associations, Victim Support, The Haven, Diss (Domestic Violence) , Leeway (Domestic Violence), Norfolk County Council.

The Partnership delivers its Community Safety Strategy through four Action Groups, which are, Anti-Social Behaviour; Burglary; Domestic Violence and Vehicle crime.

The Groups have a wide-ranging membership and often include such agencies and groups as Neighbourhood Watch, Victim Support, Norfolk Youth & Communities Service, members of crime prevention panels and representatives from schools and Town and Parish Councils.

These groups also have a specific remit for reference to Drugs and Alcohol Issues.

These Action groups meet every three months to look at new or tried and tested ways of reducing crime and disorder in the community. South Norfolk Council’s own Community Safety Officer supports them.

Here are examples:

- Start up Home Watch schemes in areas of high crime

- Employ Domestic Violence Advocacy Worker who supports victims through the prosecution processes.

- Every year high visibility patrols by the Mobile Police Station occur at Park and Ride sites over the Christmas period. There is also advice on vehicle security.

- Provide funding for the Norfolk Youth and Community Service’s ‘Van in the Villages’ project, giving advice and assisting in reducing substance misuse.

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