New burglary reduction officer appointed to boost safety in Nottingham

Safety partners have welcomed a new specialist officer to help protect homes from burglary and deter crime in Nottingham.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Amardeep Sandhu, from Nottinghamshire Police, has been recruited to assist the roll out of risk free assessments and security upgrades at properties vulnerable to burglary in Nottingham – including those that have fallen victim to crime before.

PCSO Sandhu joins the City’s existing Burglary Reduction Officer, Julian Best, from Nottingham City Council, as part of the Safer Streets project and will be focusing on the Lenton Triangle area.

Their roles are being funded thanks to a £432k Home Office grant secured by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry which is set to fund free security upgrades at up to 500 residential properties in the Aboretum and Lenton Triangle areas of Nottingham and free Ring doorbell devices for up to 375 other City properties.

Commissioner Henry, who visited PCSO Sandhu to welcome him to the role, is working together with a team of partners including Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council as part of an ambitious strategy to make Nottingham safer.

PCSO Sandhu said: “The role of a burglary reduction officer gives me the opportunity to reach out to communities that have suffered crime in the past and are in much need of support.

“The funding from the Home Office secured by the PCC has allowed the team to improve the security of many properties in burglary hotspot areas with the aim of reducing and hopefully preventing further burglaries.

“By taking positive action, I get to see the difference it makes in the lives of many people that have been affected and experience first-hand their appreciation when they have received a service of excellence. I believe the position of a burglary reduction officer is one of great dedication, determination and hard work, I feel very passionate about the role and I am proud to serve and protect the public within my new role as a Burglary Reduction Officer.”

Commissioner Henry added: “I was delighted to meet PSCO Sandhu and welcome him to the role. Both PCSO Sandhu and Julian Best are passionate and dedicated officers who are committed to keeping local people safe. Already, they have hit the ground running in delivering these important safety improvements and are working hard to reduce the fear of crime in our communities.

“The Safer Streets project is gaining momentum across the City, with additional high-visibility policing patrols underway and a number of physical safety improvements in progress. I want to make Nottingham a safer place for all and this funding will go some way to helping us to achieve this goal.”

Chief Inspector Amy English, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The arrival of PCSO Sandhu on the city’s dedicated Safer Streets team is excellent news for residents and bad news for burglars.

“A number of initiatives are already taking place to stop burglars gaining access to people’s homes and this has helped reduce burglaries by 34 per cent in Nottinghamshire in the last financial year.

“I hope that local residents are further reassured by PCSO Sandhu’s appointment and I wish him well in his new role.”

Both PCSO Sandhu and Julian Best will work with the local community undertaking risk assessments of properties at risk of burglary, organising improvements to security which could include new door locks, Ring doorbells, window alarms, security lighting and/or CCTV.

Residents living in the parts of Arboretum and Lenton Triangle consistently identify burglary as their greatest crime concern in annual crime and antisocial behaviour surveys in the city.

Both officers will always carry identification and eligible residents will receive a letter and a scheme flyer either by post or by hand.

The Safer Streets project will also fund:

• Installation of a new CCTV camera in Bridlington Park which will be live-monitoring at the City’s CCTV control room.

• Enhancing policing focused on key crime types by neighbourhood policing teams and a ‘day of action’ every month for the next 10 months to disrupt, deter and prevent crime and develop local intelligence.

• Recruitment of Community Champions through Nottingham City Council to engage with wider community and student population.

• Proactive policing through Operation Graduate to protect safety of students returning to the city and help prevent burglaries.

• Drive to encourage local take-up of Nottinghamshire Alert.

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Safer Streets Media Enquiries:   Sallie Blair - 01283 821012 / 07702 541401