On top form!

Several arrests have been made in relation to criminal damage and anti-social behaviour on Nottingham Road after people living there were provided with a form on which they could record details about people they witnessed committing offences.

And residents are full of praise for the simple paperwork which, they say, has helped them when they have called to report incidents. Ten simple but important questions are asked, including what style and colour hair the offender had and what age the witness would estimate they were.

The forms also have space for people to record if the offender was carrying anything and what they were wearing.

They are one of a number of measures introduced in the Nottingham Road area by members of Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership – including the police - in a bid to cut crime and raise public confidence.

The one-way road, a major route into town, has seen a number of residents suffer damage to vehicles they have parked outside their homes.

Belper Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Richard Booth decided action could be taken to improve quality of life in the area and, with the help and support of other Partnership members, is making a difference.

Residents meetings were called which have resulted in the creation of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the road, people have been encouraged to report incidents and Derbyshire County Council has been called to discuss issues such as barriers.

Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership has helped with the provision of CCTV coverage on the road and extension of this is being investigated.

According to Sgt Booth, the most important achievement has been creation of a sense of community and caring, bringing residents and local organisations together to work on the issues affecting the area.

“The work done so far has achieved some positive results and, according to what people are saying, created a very important sense of community. We are very pleased what has been achieved so far and have every intention of continuing to work with other partnership members to further cut crime and increase confidence along Nottingham Road and associated streets,” he said.

Since the last meeting of Police and Nottingham Road residents there has been just one incident of criminal damage reported.

Bev Bott, co-ordinator of the newly-created Nottingham Road Neighbourhood Watch group, says: “The work that has been done so far has created a sense of togetherness in the area and of confidence.

“People have become aware that making that call to the police is important – even to report anti-social behaviour, not just criminal damage. Quite a few people have been using the forms, you can keep them by your phone and just read through what you saw when you call the police.”

Since the introduction of the 10-point description forms on Nottingham Road in Belper they have subsequently been used in connection with criminal damage on Belper Lane and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Heage.

ENDS –

Release date: July 6, 2010