Winning crime fighting projects announced: 2009 Safer London Problem Solving and Safer Travel Awards

09/09
23 February 2009

The winners of the 2009 Safer London Problem Solving and Safer Travel Awards, celebrating innovative projects to promote safer communities across London and on the transport system, were announced this afternoon.

Twelve projects to promote community safety across the capital were short listed for the top prizes.

2009 Problem Solving Award winners:

1st place: Kingswood revisited - young people, gangs and knives:
Southwark

2nd place: Redbridge community partnership against doorstep crime:
Redbridge

3rd place: Reduction of assaults and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol in Fulham Broadway:
Hammersmith and Fulham

Safer Travel Problem Solving Award winner:  Bromley safer public transport routes:
Bromley

The winner of the Problem Solving Award, ‘Kingswood revisited’, was presented with a cheque for £10,000 and return flights to the Goldstein Problem Solving Awards to be held this November in California, USA, where they will both share and learn good practice and also be entered into the awards.

The winner of the Safer Travel Award, ‘Bromley safer public transport routes’, received a cheque for £5,000.

The awards are a collaboration between the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Transport for London (TfL) and the Safer London Foundation, the MPS Charity that contributes to the reduction of crime in London through the promotion of community cohesion, and the development of safer neighbourhoods with innovative community led crime reduction projects.

Kit Malthouse, Vice Chair of the MPA, said:

"The Metropolitan Police Authority is once again delighted to see so many innovative and effective projects that have had such positive results for local communities. The Authority offers its thanks to all those teams who worked so hard to make their projects a success, and sends congratulations to the overall winners.

"The MPA firmly believes the problem oriented approach to policing makes a significant contribution to reducing criminality and anti-social behaviour at the local level and on London’s transport system, helping to achieve our aims of reducing the fear of crime and making our communities safer environments to live and work in."

Tony Shepherd, Chief Executive of the Safer London Foundation, said:

"The Foundation is pleased to once again be a partner in the Safer London Problem Solving Awards. This year there has been a large number of high quality, innovative applications and selecting the winners has been a difficult task. Clearly the problem solving approach to policing is now being undertaken in many areas of London and is making a significant contribution to contemporary policing in the Capital."

Rose Fitzpatrick, Acting Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing, said:

"Following the successful early roll-out of Safer Neighbourhoods teams across London, the MPS is continuing with its firm commitment to problem solving policing by working closely with local communities and our partners to tackle signal crimes and anti-social behaviour to improve the lives of the people of London and reduce the fear of crime. Like last year, the entries for the 2009 Problem Solving Awards provide some excellent examples of the work that is going on across London to improve the lives of citizens and visitors alike."

Steve Burton, Director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing in TfL, said:

"TfL is pleased to be part of these awards and to have the opportunity to recognise initiatives which are improving transport and travelling in London. The problem-solving approach to dealing with crime and disorder issues on and around the public transport network can produce brilliant results and plays a vital role in reducing the fear of crime. Congratulations to all of the winners who have achieved excellent result and who have made a real different to the quality of life of the communities they work in"

Notes to editors

1. Inaugurated in January 2006, the Problem Solving Awards recognise the achievements of partnership projects between the police and local communities to reduce crime and disorder. The Safer Travel Award, initiated in 2008, recognises excellence in problem-oriented policing and innovative approaches to further improving safety and security on London's public transport system.

2. 2009 Problem Solving Award winning projects:

1st place: Kingswood revisited - young people, gangs and knives: Southwark
Kingswood Estate is a large isolated council estate with high levels of deprivation, compared with the surrounding area, and residents’ concerns about increasing crime and anti-social behaviour. Fears of knife and gang culture emerged in 2008 following the high profile murder of a teenager from the estate. Police and partners resolved to work with the community to tackle these serious issues.

Once problems were identified, a multi-agency problem solving partnership was set up to tackle the complex issues. A triple track approach of tough enforcement, non-negotiable support and prevention was taken, incorporating prosecutions, evictions, and increased patrolling, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts agreed with young people to reduce anti-social behaviour and gang activity, the establishment of  a youth club and further youth engagement  amongst other things.

There was a 50% reduction in violent crime against young people, and subsequently 77% of young people now feel safe on the estate, 72% of residents think the police and partners had done a very good job in tackling anti-social behaviour and 84% of residents now consider Kingswood estate to be a good place to live.

2nd place: Redbridge community partnership against doorstep crime: Redbridge
From April until June 2007, Redbridge Borough suffered a disproportionate volume of distraction burglaries - over 100% higher than the MPS average figure. Statistics for distraction burglary show victims are likely to be similar for victims of rogue traders and they are elderly females who live alone. Victims were often repeatedly targeted and little or no after care was forthcoming from the police or partner agencies.

In response a partnership between Redbridge borough police, Trading Standards and the Redbridge Crime Prevention Design Advisor (CPDA) was established and an action plan devised to deliver a long term solution. 
Analysis of data for the period 1December 2007 to 31 October 2008 indicates that compared with the same period the previous year distraction burglaries within the whole of Redbridge borough were reduced by 48% and local analysis showed distraction burglaries within Safer Neighbourhoods North were reduced by 61%. A survey within the newly formed restricted calling zones also showed significant reductions in the fear of crime.

3rd place: Reduction of assaults and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol in Fulham Broadway: Hammersmith and Fulham
Assaults and crime linked to licensed premises within the Fulham Broadway were leaving residents in fear of walking from the underground station to their homes due to the abuse they suffered from late night revellers.  The purpose of this initiative was for police and partners to address the cause, challenge licensed premises consistently acting outside the licensing legislation and ensure the Broadway is a safe and inviting place for all.

A partnership was formed between Fulham and Hammersmith police, Hammersmith Council licensing department and the licensed premises to discuss the problems and formulate solutions and tactics to combat the continued increase in assaults. The idea that police and the council would hold individual premises responsible and accountable for the disorder that occurred in and around their venue was the pivotal change in the ways licence premises were now dealt with. Other new ideas were implemented including the introduction of a link radio assisting to tackle the problems of communication between venues. All solutions linked with robust policing and prosecution of venues and individuals committing offences have offered a long lasting solution to the licensing issues that were getting out of control.

Crime within Fulham Broadway directly linked to licensed premises has reduced considerably, especially with regard to assaults, and also led to a reduction in crime across three neighbouring wards.

3. Safer Travel Problem Solving Award winning project: Bromley safer public transport routes: Bromley
Having conducted research with bus companies, existing transport users, statutory services and groups representing young people and elderly people, the Bromley Safer Transport Team identified that two bus routes within the borough served areas which were being particularly affected by crime and anti-social behaviour issues.

The team adopted a problem-solving approach to address these issues by providing visible, familiar and accessible policing on Bromley’s transport system, which was reassuring to passengers and staff. Bromley achieved reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour through strong partnerships with the transport community.

4. The MPA Scrutiny on Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs), published in January 2003, included a recommendation to develop the use of problem oriented policing across London (Recommendation 28:The MPA recommends the problem oriented policing model as good practice for boroughs and CDRPs. It recommends that the MPS evaluate how the model works in those boroughs where it has been implemented and considers how it can be developed for use in all London boroughs). The scrutiny report is available at: www.mpa.gov.uk/reports/cdrpscrutiny.htm

5. Formed in 2005, the Safer London Foundation helps to reduce crime in London by supporting and funding innovative community-based crime reduction projects. It works in partnership with the police, government and business to make London's neighbourhoods safer places to live, work and visit. SLF corporate volunteers and mentors work across the capital's diverse communities, providing a unique and valuable link between the people of London and its businesses. More information about the Safer London Foundation is available at: www.saferlondonfoundation.org.uk

6. The annual Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing, held in the United States, recognises outstanding police initiatives from across the world that engage in innovative and effective problem-solving efforts and achieve measurable success in the reduction of recurring crime, disorder, and public safety problems.

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