Achievements
An innovative partnership Restorative Justice (RJ) project within primary schools in Gloucester piloted and developed by Project Solace has won a national award!
The RJ project was named the winner of the best practice award for reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and increasing community confidence at the annual Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG) 'Delivering Results' awards on Tuesday, 14 November 2012.
The initial pilot of the project took part earlier this year and saw Primary School children attending RJ lessons with Project Solace and Gloucester Police to promote awareness of the consequences of getting involved in ASB, followed by a group assembly for year 5 and 6 students.
The project has since developed and is now a partnership between Project Solace, Gloucester City Homes, Gloucester Police and education with a learning booklet following curriculum created to form part of future sessions, which also gently focuses on consequences of becoming involved in gangs, using violence or getting involved with alcohol or drugs following the disorder that affected the nation and Gloucester last November. This is planned to roll out across all remaining city primary schools before the year end.
PC Mark Mansfield also collected a commendation award in respect of the Resident Award, which is an award designed to recognise individuals or a group of residents for their outstanding achievements in combating ASB. A nomination was made by Gloucester City Homes after residents suffered serious nuisance from now former neighbours Sharon Townsend and Gary Barnaby, which resulted in a recent eviction after other methods of dealing with their behaviour failed.
On behalf of Gloucester Local Policing Teams, Inspector Neil Smith said:
"This is a fantastic achievement to a multi-agency approach in implementing restorative practices to young people in Gloucester. The RJ approach has had high success rate and is used as part of the Police's Community Orientated Policing (COPS) system"
Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods & Chair of Safer Gloucester, Councillor Jennie Dallimore said:
"This clearly demonstrates partnership working at its best and is a great outcome for our city residents. Prevention projects like this are an important aspect of reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities. It is an amazing accomplishment and all the agencies involved in delivering this project should be very proud."
Lisa Howarth, Head of Housing Services for Gloucester City Homes said:
"This is excellent recognition for all the passion, hard work, dedication and perseverance put in by all involved into doing their very best to put a stop to ASB and helping those that have had their lives affected by ASB.
We have very strong relationships with our partners in tackling crime and ASB in the City and it is a pleasure to see the benefits of prevention work obtaining the recognition it truly deserves."
On behalf of the SLCNG, Sharon Mackley said:
"These awards shine a spotlight on ASB practitioners and their partners who through their dedication and creativity do so much to tackle ASB and make communities safer.
By recognising the achievements of projects that have made a real and sustained difference to a community during 2011/12, the awards also help raise performance across the sector. The project was a well deserved winner demonstrating clear community outcomes."
Paws on Patrol in the Carnival
Paws on Patrol, a project from the partners of Safer Gloucester, was awarded the Star Trophy in Gloucester Carnival 2012! Thanks to everyone for supporting us and cheering loudly! We also signed up lots of new members, so a great weekend.
Safer Gloucester Activity
Please click here for an overview of Safer Gloucester's activity from 2011 - 12 and please click here for a brief overview of Safer Gloucester's activities from 2008 - 2011. Over the period of 2008 - 2011 crime reduced by 19.9%.
After being placed in the highest crime quartile in 2003, the Safer Gloucester Partnership came together to work smarter and robustly to reduce crime, resulting in 12,000 fewer incidents in 2008/9, which equates to a reduction in recordable crime of 30%. Nonetheless, despite further challenges, crime in Gloucester has reduced by a further 15.3% over the last year.
The positive figures are the result of effective working between the Police, City Council and the Safer Gloucester Partnership, alongside increased co-operation and intelligence provided by the public.
Superintendent Gary Thompson said:
Reducing crime by over 15% demonstrates what can be achieved when the Safer Gloucester Partnership work closely with other key partners and local people to tackle crime and disorder.
This fall in crime is the result of good Police operations targeting prolific criminals, excellent partnership work in tackling anti-social behaviour, increased crime prevention, particularly among students and the introduction of Neighbourhood Policing Teams to every community in Gloucester.
However, we are not complacent and remain determined to drive down crime and the levels of anti-social behaviour in the City, which in turn will continue to improve the lives of the people who live and work here.
I would encourage the public to continue to support the Police and our law enforcement and crime prevention partners, because it is only with your help that we can truly succeed.