Introduction from Ros Morgan, BID Manager Ensuring that Croydon Town Centre is a safe and secure place to work, shop and visit remains a top priority for the BID team as we enter our third year. We have made some good progress in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour in the last two years, but clearly there is still much more to do. In this publication you will find out more about the range of different schemes that Croydon BID is supporting and helping to coordinate.
There are many different approaches, tackling different sides of the battle against crime, all of which should continue to help make the community a safer environment for all.
The Safer Croydon Partnership:
Working together to make Croydon safer
CBCP is the latest initiative which we are supporting to combat the scourge of disruptive behaviour in Croydon. We have high hopes for the scheme as it has been introduced before in the UK with a great deal of success. I am optimistic that CBCP will build on the good work already underway through existing initiatives, making a visit to the Town Centre an even more enjoyable experience than it already is.
Awarding the Best Bar None
Stopping crime in its tracks – tackling re-offending Tackling re-offending is particularly significant for local communities, as we know that offenders often commit crimes close to home. The Safer Croydon Partnership has a range of support available to give people a chance to rebuild their lives and take a different path. Helping people back into employment who have been out of work for a long time - or face other barriers such as a criminal record or a substance misuse problem - is a specialist role. Working with Red Kite Learning (a local charity who also
work with employers, to provide solutions to their recruitment needs) this project has assisted over 200 individuals during 2008/09. In addition, the project supports drug users in Croydon by helping them to find employment opportunities and by raising their skill levels, motivation and self esteem, thereby increasing employability and employment opportunities The Safer Croydon Partnership is supporting victims of business crime head on by offering affected businesses with a new package of support.Victims of business crime reporting a crime to Croydon Police will be contacted by a Crime Advisor and offered assistance in a variety of forms.
To find out more about the Safer Croydon Partnership visit the website www.croydon.gov.uk/safercroydon
It’s opening time again for the scheme that has helped to reduce drink-fuelled crime in the Town Centre significantly since it began six years ago Commended as a model of good practice by the Mayor of London, Croydon Best Bar None 2009 got under way on 31st March at Tiger Tiger in North End, the venue which was the overall winner of last year’s award. All of the borough’s pubs, bars and clubs have been invited to take part in this year’s campaign, run in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade. Each competing establishment will have to prove it is committed to the health, safety and well-being of its customers and will undergo a rigorous joint audit conducted by the council’s licensing department, and police and fire officers. Among points to be checked will be door policy, health and safety, staff training, customer care and ways of dealing with disorder. The standards demanded by Best Bar None are way above the legal minimum and not all businesses will be able to meet the
exacting criteria on the first attempt. Those reaching the required standards will be presented with a certificate and plaque, incorporating the campaign’s distinctive logo, at a glittering awards ceremony at the Croydon Hilton in June and will join a growing band of Croydon Best Bar None accredited pubs, bars and clubs. Other award winners in last year’s contest were the High Street’s Green Dragon, which won the best-pub award, and Hustler, in Church Street, winner of the best-club medal. Additionally, 31 other establishments from across the borough were accredited. Trade feedback indicates that, this year, the number of businesses applying for accreditation could exceed 50. An independent panel of judges will select the overall winners and runners-up, and these will be announced at the ceremony, as will an award decided by members of the public.
News in brief: Confronting crime in the community By working together as a community it is far easier to achieve results when it comes to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in our Town Centre. There are a number of initiatives which have been set up which are encouraging local residents to take action in the fight against crime. Here we reveal some more information about a few of these schemes
Crime Maps Reporting Crime and Safer Neighbourhood Team To find out what’s going on in Croydon and where you live go to: www.met.police. uk and click on “Crime Mapping website” to get information about crimes in your area. To report a non-emergency crime click on “Report a crime”, the Nonemergency contact number is: 0300 123 1212.You can also find out who your local “Safer Neighbourhood Team” are and get their contact details.
Neighbourhood Link Community Messaging Service Neighbourhood Link is a community messaging service from the Metropolitan Police Service that provides news and information about policing activity or initiatives, crime prevention advice as well as major incidents affecting your area. To sign up go to: www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk
Join the Special Constabulary The MPS Special Constabulary is a force of volunteers who work with and offer support to regular Metropolitan Police Officers. Specials have the same powers as regular officers and wearing the same uniform. The police are looking for everyday people who are prepared to give up at least eight hours of their spare time each fortnight to do something positive for themselves and their community. If you want to find out more go to the following link: www.met.police.uk/careers/index.html
Working together for a better Croydon
Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership
Croydon Businesses Working Together to Reduce Crime