Criminal Damage Initiative 2006/07
Middlesbrough
In 2006/07 the Home Office funded 10 areas to develop innovative approaches to tackling criminal damage. Of the £500,000, Middlesbrough CDRP received £50,000. This report details how the funding was used in Middlesbrough and summarises the main findings of the evaluation.
Details of the project.
This project focused on youth engagement and diversion, surveillance, situational crime prevention and community engagement.
Main activities and outcomes.
Aim: Youth engagement and diversion.
Activity: An 8-10 week programme of activities targeted young people aged 12-16 who were identified at risk of offending or involved in anti social behaviour. The programme aimed to challenge behaviour and criminal activity through presentations from agencies and outward bound activities. The young people worked towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award and an Open College Network qualification in Crime Awareness. In one area the project part funded the purchase of a youth pod and funding is being sought to provide youth workers for the pod. A competition was held for young people to identify creative but deliverable ideas to help reduce criminal damage. The slogan chosen was ‘You can manage without criminal damage.’
Outcome: Whilst criminal damage and ASB incidents have not reduced in the area, the work has had a positive impact on the young people taking part; one has returned to school to sit exams and others have gained additional accreditations including First Aid, Food Hygiene and Canoeing. Two young people have volunteered to sit on the Youth Pod Steering Group. An event is planned to showcase the winning slogan of the competition.
Aim: Surveillance for deterrence and detection of criminal damage.
Activity: A belfast pole for CCTV was installed in an identified hotspot for criminal damage, fire setting and anti social behaviour. CCTV was also installed in an area undergoing major regeneration but experiencing similar problems.
Outcome: The number of criminal damage incidents in the area where the belfast pole was installed reduced by 60% in the three months following installation.
Aim: Community and partner engagement in tackling criminal damage.
Activity: The Safer Middlesbrough Partnership set up a suggestion box on their website to enable partner agencies and the communities to suggest ideas and solutions on how to tackle criminal damage. Equipment was purchased for the Community Payback scheme to clean up hotspot areas and the scheme has supported a number of Operation Clean Sweeps across Middlesbrough.
Outcome: Greater communication between partners to tackle criminal damage within communities.
Aim: Situational crime prevention and target hardening measures. Activity: Target hardening measures have been provided for repeat victims of domestic violence linked to reported criminal damage incidents. In a hotspot for wheelie bin theft and fires, the Fire Service, Middlesbrough Borough Council, Safer Middlesbrough Partnership and a local housing association worked together to install a secure and effective anchor point for wheelie bins at 350 properties. Metal fencing and bollards were replaced and improved in a known hot spot area to act as a ‘quick fix’ measure.
Outcome: The impact of target hardening for repeat victims of domestic violence is not yet known. However, securing wheelie bins has resulted in a measurable reduction in rubbish fires from 36 in January to 5 recorded fires in June.
Key Conclusions:
- The Crime Awareness Course has generated interest from other local schools and Pupil Exclusion Units. Continued work in this area will have a longer term benefit.
- Practical measures have brought immediate reductions in criminal damage.
- The project has resulted in greater communication between the partnerships and agencies who are now working together to develop ideas and find solutions for the community.
Contact for further information:
Lesley Dale, Performance & Planning Officer, Middlesbrough: lesley_dale@middlesbrough.gov.uk Home Office Criminal Damage Reduction: criminal.damage@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Last update: Friday, January 04, 2008