Case Studies 

Case study 1

Balsall Heath in Birmingham has recently seen a number of resident-led initiatives as part of an ongoing programme to build up the local community’s confidence, improve the environment and actively tackle some of the factors that contribute to crime and the fear of crime.

Their programme of Environmental Days, where specific streets undergo a co-ordinated blitz by police, environmental health, housing officers and litter sweepers is a case in point. Warrants are served and drug raids carried out against a backdrop of street lighting being checked and replaced, security measures being suggested to local residents and rubbish being cleared from alley ways and gutters. They have a huge impact on the local environment, and arguably a noticeable impact on the fear of crime. The blitzes aren’t just confined to the public services, though. Neighbourhood wardens are also encouraging residents to come together one Saturday a month to clean up the neighbourhood. As well as clearing out their front gardens, putting up security lighting and painting out graffiti, the wardens also talk to residents about engaging in various community safety programmes.

Case study 2 

Case study 3

In North Tyneside, the Community Safety Officer  (CSO) depends on the North Tyneside Council Partnership Development Section (NTCPDS) and the Voluntary Organisations Development Agency (VODA) to find out which groups and individuals are active in the area, and try and get an introduction to them.

The CSO, NTCPDS and VODA are currently working together to develop an intelligence database that will include community and voluntary groups in the Borough. By doing so, they hope to be able to address the community in person when particular issues come up, to raise awareness without raising fear. E.g.: if bogus callers were targeting older people in an area, they would look at the database to see what older people’s groups are active in the area and try to disseminate some useful crime prevention information through them.

In addition, the Local Authority carries out an annual residents survey, including questions about community safety and the environment, including lighting and graffiti, and also has Community Partnership Officers working in the local community who liase with the Community Safety Officer to inform them about local concerns as and when necessary.

Finally, Northumbria Police also have Community Beat Managers patrolling local communities, dealing with incidents but also providing feedback about residents fears and concerns.

Case study 4

Crime Concern has conducted Peer research, training groups of young people to conduct structured interviews and collate the feedback. This work has been carried out in Knowle West in Bristol and Bridgnorth in Shropshire. 

Street surveys are another good way to identify what local people perceive as problems. These can be done with all women groups, young people etc. They walk around an area discussing hot spots and places that make them fearful. Visual Audits enable people to identify where they think problems are and then are presented with the reality. It is a good way of demonstrating to people reality versus perception.

The village of Mullion in Cornwall is establishing a neighbourhood wardens’ scheme. Two part-time staff will provide a link between the police and the council. Wardens will work closely with the Youth Service, older residents and young people in order to improve community relations.

Contact; Dave Griffiths Govt Office South West, 0117 900 1890.

Case study 6

A way of bringing assurance to rural areas, where police officers have to cover huge distances is being pioneered in Lincolnshire. A converted camper van tours towns and villages for a two or three day visit. This mobile unit helps to maintain a positive relationship with local residents and can be used to consult residents on current issues. The team of officers work flexible hours and can respond to an early morning parking problem or a late night issue of public disorder.

Further details from Chief Superintendent Peter Davies, tel 01754 614201

Case study 7

In Wolverhampton elected representatives of the Youth Council are actively working with a range of partners to address issues of crime and disorder. They have through an inter-generational conference, discussed with representatives of the groups, such as the over 50’s forum, the black elders group etc. their joint concerns about crime in the City. In addition the Youth Council actively supports the development of additional sporting and play facilities and provides an advocacy role in taking issues concerning crime and fear to the local police. 

Case study 8, from the DfES Citizenship Website:

Frances aged 17 is a pupil at a high school in Wales who has just undertaken a project to clean up the local river watch and picnic area.

The project will create a picnic area, adjacent to the local school, for use by the pupils and the public, clean up a stretch of the local river and create volunteer groups of pupils to maintain the area in future. Currently, the riverbanks are strewn with rubbish owing to recent flooding.  Frances will be forging a link between the local community and the school by consulting with local people.  Her plan is that each member of the project team will recruit at least one person from the locality to assist.  Frances has already consulted key stakeholders including the school board of governors and local community groups and has also sought advice from Groundwork Trust.  She will organise further meetings with community and school groups to consult them about the design of the picnic area and the planting of the surrounding area.  Frances has already secured the commitment of 20 pupils to form the project team.

Community Benefit:

An immediate benefit will be the improved community amenity provided by the picnic area and a cleared stretch of river. This will foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.  Frances expects that up to 200 people will become involved in the clean up and creation of the picnic area over the life of the project.

The project will create new habitats for wildlife by providing, for example, nest boxes, hedgehog shelters and planting native species.  The head of a local primary school has already expressed an interest in using the area to teach her pupils about the environment and biodiversity. This project combines practical work to improve the physical environment with a developmental approach to involving and empowering volunteers and the wider community.  Frances has addressed the issue of sustaining the project over the long term by creating volunteer groups from the school.

Case study 9

Age Concern’s Crime Care and Older People Project in Coventry was involved in conducting an audit of local crime and disorder problems under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The project plays a small but significant role working in a practical manner to prevent crime happening to older people. It works with partners from the West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Coventry and Warwickshire Community Safety Scheme, Neighbourhood Watch and the Social Services Home Meals Service to support vulnerable older people living in the Hillsfield area. 

Case Study 10

North Tyneside Environment Service deals has a fixed strategy for dealing with abandoned vehicles. Notices are put on vehicles of value and vehicles of no value with no tax. The latter are removed and disposed of after 24 hours. Vehicles of value are moved after 7 days and stored until the owner is traced. The council only uses licensed companies to dispose of the vehicles, which undertake to remove the tyres, oils and anti freeze and prepare the vehicle to be recycled.