The Not In My Neighbourhood week

A community lead campaign to help drive crime and anti social behaviour of the streets of Knowsley will see a blitz on everything from car crime to littering.

The Not In My Neighbourhood week will see residents join forces with the police, council and other agencies to send a strong message of defiance that crime and disorder will not be tolerated.

The week of action aims to build on the borough’s strong record of crime reduction action which has already seen 4,000 fewer crimes reported this year and 3,700 fewer anti-social behaviour incidents.

Now, The Safer Knowsley Partnership is aiming to make the borough an even safer place to live by introducing a range of activities to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour while also raising awareness of the successful work which is already taking place in neighbourhoods across Knowsley.

Between October 13-17 October the multi-agency campaign will see local police, Trading Standards, Neighbourhood Wardens and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service go out and about across the borough highlighting ways in which people can take their own action to keep their property safe from theft or damage.

Cllr Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion, said: “We are addressing the issues affecting our communities and have achieved success in terms of reducing crime, but we need the help of local communities to reduce crime even further.

“I would urge anyone living or visiting our borough to take part in the range of events on offer throughout the week. Advice on how to stay safe and protect property will be on offer and I would encourage people to follow the simple but effective advice.”

"Knowsley is a very safe place to live in and to visit and we hope to keep it that way."

Activity during Not In My Neighbourhood Week will include:

• Community clean ups
• Graffiti removal projects
• Community meetings and police surgeries
• Multi-agency enforcement initiatives
• Crime prevention advice
• High visibility patrols
• Home Fire Safety checks
• A range of diversionary activities for young people will be available including football sessions, hair and beauty and street dance
• Advice to young people around drugs, alcohol and sexual health issues.

In addition, local communities are encouraged to play their part to help keep Knowsley safe. This could include:

• Volunteering opportunities – help staff an enquiry office at a police station, be part of the Cadet Scheme or apply to be a Special Constable - contact the Extended Police Family Co-ordinator on 0151 777 6205 for more information.
• Setting up a Neighbourhood Watch - Neighbourhood Watch is not just about reducing crime – it is about building community spirit and good relations. It brings local people closer together with common goals; to tackle crime and disorder and to keep an eye on each other's property. The benefits of joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme are you can learn more about crime prevention and home security which will help keep your home and belongings safe. To find out more, contact Lynsey Cullen on 0151 777 6205.
• Reporting incidents to the Police on 0151 709 6010. Alternatively, you can pass on information about crime in your area, anonymously, by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
• Talk to your Neighbourhood Wardens – they regularly patrol your area and you can help by telling them about concerns and issues that affect you.

Chief Inspector Ian Valentine, Partnership Development Officer at Knowsley, added “Merseyside Police is committed to working with communities to provide safer environments and working with our partners to ensure a co-ordinated and targeted response to the borough’s priority issues. We are pleased to once again support ‘not in my neighbourhood week’, which demonstrates this commitment.”
For further information or how you can become involved, contact Colin Hewitt in the Crime and Disorder Strategy Unit on 0151 443 3393.