Safer Street wardens Carl and Rana with the manager of TK Maxx at Victoria Retail Park
Reports of youths jumping on the roof of a local shop and throwing glass bottles are just some of the crimes Safer Streets wardens have been helping to tackle in a bid to stop criminals in their tracks.
Carl Concannon, Rana Duza, and Rebecca Walters are Safer Streets wardens who have provided a high visibility presence and assisted Police investigations into burglaries and graffiti tagging by providing vital information as extra ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground.
Residents, shoppers, and business owners in Netherfield and Colwick are being supported to tackle antisocial behaviour across Gedling thanks to several innovative crime interventions in the area.
Carl and Rebecca have also been gathering first-hand evidence of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity and have reported incidents to Nottinghamshire Police and Gedling Borough Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Team for further action.
This comes after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £3 million of Home Office funding for Safer Streets projects that help reduce neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as violence against women and girls.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said it was fantastic to hear that Safer Streets wardens are making a real difference to the lives of people across the county.
“The Street Wardens are having a really positive impact tackling antisocial behaviour in Netherfield and Colwick. Business owners have been keen to work with them, utilising our Shop Watch Radio scheme, and residents are happy to see more high visibility patrols on their streets.
“I applaud the brilliant work of Carl, Rana, and Rebecca who have been making a real difference to how safe people feel when out and about,” she said.
The wardens have also signposted people with complex needs, including substance misuse, to support services in a bid to keep them off the streets and prevent reoffending.
“Our main role is to be a conduit between businesses, the public, the police, and local services to ensure that any crimes have taken place are reported in a timely manner and can then be followed up by Nottinghamshire Police and the local authority,” said Carl.
“I had a vulnerable lady who approached myself and a colleague recently who had her house broken in to and thought the intruders were still inside. We went and investigated, stayed with the lady until the police arrived, but in the meantime, we were able to arrange for her front door to be repaired and contacted her family who were able to come and be with her.”
Safer Streets wardens are just one of many interventions put in place since the programme began. Across Netherfield and Colwick residents have benefited from additional CCTV and ANPR cameras, additional home security devices for vulnerable residents, an innovative Shop Watch Radio scheme to keep business owners experiencing antisocial behaviour connected, and much more.
Rebecca said: “From my point of view, I’ve been a Safer Streets warden for quite some time, and it really does work, especially when you can have a joint operation where you’ve got the police and ambulance service out and we’re all working as a team. Ultimately to make people feel safe in their own neighbourhoods.”
The Safer Streets programming is an ongoing partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police, and Gedling Borough Councill.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “I’d like to commend the Safer Streets Wardens on the fantastic work they have been doing around Colwick and Netherfield to help protect our communities and support local businesses.
“I’d also like to thank the Police and Crime Commissioner for providing the much-needed funding for these roles, as well as for the continued support and investment in CCTV in these areas to help us tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.
“Through partnership working like this we can make a real difference to our borough and ensure it’s a place that our residents are proud to call their home.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Stanley said: “The Safer Streets wardens are a welcomed addition in our fight against anti-social behaviour. We know the impact that antisocial behaviour can cause to residents and businesses and will continue to ensure those who cause the most harm to our communities are dealt with.”
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Posted on Thursday 10th August 2023