Southwark
In 2006/07 the Home Office funded 10 areas to develop innovative approaches to tackling criminal damage. Of the £500,000, Southwark CDRP received £50,000. This report details how the funding was used in Southwark and summarises the main findings of the evaluation.
Details of the Project
The Criminal Damage Project worked in partnership with key stakeholders to address the problem of criminal damage, arson and anti social behaviour on the Four Squares Estate in Bermondsey. Partners included Community Wardens, London Training and Resource Centre, Environment and Housing, Bermondsey Action Team, Fire Brigade, Police and Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Youth Service, Anti Social Behaviour Unit, Mediation Centre, Community Involvement and Development Unit, Arson Reduction Officer and Waste Management. Enforcement, preventative measures, and engaging and mobilising the community were key aspects of the project.
Main activities and outcomes
Aim: Target offenders and increase the detection rate
Activity: An ‘offenders’ operational group shared information and intelligence to help identify perpetrators. This was passed on to the Southwark Mediation Centre, the Youth Improvement Programme and the arson LIFE Project, who help to engage young people. The Safer Neighbourhood Team and Community Wardens increased their presence on the Four Squares Estate through priority patrols, door knocking and presence at Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) meetings.
Outcome: Sharing information and identifying offenders has lead to better working relations between partner agencies who have been able to engage with young people. The increased warden presence on the estate generated more intelligence.
Aim: To prevent and deter young people from committing arson, graffiti and criminal damage
Activity: During Bonfire Night 2006 targeted areas were leafleted and preventative work took place in schools educating young people on the dangers and legal aspects of fireworks and arson. A ‘graffiti assembly’ was established. This was made up of young people who educate their peers on the consequences of graffiti. The London Training Centre recruited 10 young advisors and eighteen young mediators who were trained to work alongside adult mediators to engage with young people and address conflict in the area. A youth event took place on the Four Squares Estate with a football match as the key event. Face painting and balloon modelling were provided for younger children.
Outcome: Although there was some firework misuse, there were no deliberate fires over the firework period. Over a 100 people attended the youth event which supported engagement with young people and a diversion from illegal activity.
Aim: Community engagement and improving the area.
Activity: The London Resources and Training Centre organised self defence classes for all ages, an inter-estate competition amongst young people and a gardening project. Bins were modified to prevent deliberate fires being caused by refuse and ignited flammables being thrown into bin chambers. Abandoned garages were emptied and grills put up to look less attractive to young people. Football pitches were repaired and lighting improved. The Tenants and Residents Association set up a website with a ‘hall of shame’ showing pictures of criminal damage in the area. Problem areas were reported to Southwark council and when rectified this is noted on the website.
Outcomes: The adaptation to bin chambers resulted in significantly fewer fires in the bin chutes.
Key Conclusions:
- The Home Office grant has enabled partnership to develop longer term solutions, to social & physical problems on the estate.
- Overall the criminal damage project was successful in kick starting an innovative and responsive programme of interventions to an ingrained problem on the estate.
Contact for further information:
Usha Choli, Regional Crime Manager, Government Office for London: CHOLI@gol.gov.uk
Criminal Damage Reduction Team: Criminal.damage@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Last update: Friday, January 04, 2008