Free security equipment hailed as 'amazing'
A woman whose mum’s bungalow was damaged by vandals has praised the Safer Streets scheme for providing a swathe of new home security devices.
Carole Gullett of the Carsic Estate in Sutton-in-Ashfield gave her personal thanks to partners who helped her elderly mother after a senseless attack on her home.
The free security upgrades also include passive infrared sensor lighting, window and door locks, and exterior locks for sheds and garages thanks to Safer Streets funding.
“The security equipment being installed at no cost to the residents is amazing. This will hopefully be a deterrent for them to realise they will be caught and face the consequences for their actions,” said Carole.
“The fact that The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Ashfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police with government funding are stepping up to make vulnerable people such as mu mum to feel safer in their homes is fantastic.”
Residents around the Carsic Estate have been receiving visits from a specially trained burglary reduction officer who has been conducting a threat assessment of the property and advising on what kinds of safety equipment may be required to keep the people inside safe.
As well as this, the area is benefitting from new HD-CCTV cameras, environmental improvements and Safe Space accreditation which provides greater communication tools as well as additional CCTV for businesses situated around the Carsic Estate.
This work comes after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire has invested £333,000 in Ashfield and Mansfield as part of the latest round of Safer Streets projects launched around the county.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “Being able to feel safe in your own home and in your own neighbourhood is a fundamental right and something that is incredibly important to achieve for everyone in Nottinghamshire. Hearing Carole’s story as well as other residents on the Carsic Estate shows that this work is making a positive difference.
“It’s also fantastic to see work being completed on the additional CCTV on the estate and even more businesses signing up to become Safe Space accredited which we hope will foster a stronger sense of community between businesses to help them feel more secure from antisocial behaviour.”
The previous round of activity was targeted around the Coxmoor Estate area and – combined with continuing efforts by officers from Nottinghamshire Police and Ashfield District Council - saw a reduction of 43% in vehicle crime, a 39% fall in house burglary and an 11% drop in antisocial behaviour.
This was in the 12 months from October 2022 when the project started, compared to the previous three-year average.
John Bennett, Executive Director for Place at Ashfield District Council, said: “We’re working hard with our partners to create a safer Ashfield for everyone.
“We want all residents to feel safe, especially in their own homes, and this illustrates our commitment to help those who feel vulnerable. Prevention activity like this, coupled with enforcement action where necessary, is helping make Ashfield’s streets safer for everyone.”
Ashfield District Council has completed over 100 property assessments for CCTV, lighting, and security equipment in individual homes. The equipment has made the properties more secure and enabled residents to feel much safer in their homes as a result of these measures, aimed at reducing burglary and other neighbourhood crimes across the estate.
Another resident Mr JT Wolak spoke on how his partner now feels ‘more assured and safer at home on her own’ after the installation of her free home security devices.
“Unfortunately, we were burgled late last year. Someone entered our home and stole my partners handbag and later that day used her bank card for a transaction,” he said.
“All the emotional upset had caused her to feel nervous and anxious. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team for installing the security devices.”
The Safer Streets project is an ongoing partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire Police, and Ashfield District Council among other local authorities.
To report antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or visit the web page linked below to report.
Report antisocial behaviour | Nottinghamshire Police
In an emergency, you should always call 999.