Community Safety Action Zone - Bexley, United Kingdom

This project represents the essence of partnership working bringing together partner agencies and the community to initiate an innovative approach to a set of problems that the community identified as being of concern. The project was carried out in Slade Green, a suburban area on the edge of the London borough of Bexley. Slade Green was a hotspot for residential burglary, non-residential burglary, autocrime, disorder, domestic violence and race crime.

* In 2000 Members of the Community contacted the Council the Police and their housing association Orbit asking for an urgent meeting to discuss disorder and crime in their neighbourhood. They stated that the area was extremely run down, with large numbers of abandoned cars which were often set alight, open spaces which had become 'no-go areas', fly-tipping and graffiti. Residents had no faith in any agency to help provide a solution, but expressed a willingness to work together with the Partnership to combat the problem.
* A full residents' meeting was organised to inform local residents of the audit findings and to discuss with them the way forward. Over 150 local people attended. The agencies represented took the opportunity to break into small groups to discuss key issues, adopting a problem solving approach so as to identify possible stakeholders and solutions, and following that meeting an outline project plan was drafted.
* A multi-agency management group was established to examine the situation. Bexley Police, the Council, Registered Social Landlords, Neighbourhood Watch and Local community representatives.
* The Police established a Disorder Team, comprising a sergeant and six constables. They reviewed all criminal activity in Slade Green, and visited each victim assuring them that they would assist taking these matters to court. They provided a constant daily presence in the area, targeting, arresting and prosecuting offenders where appropriate. This targeted action and the work they did to support the community led to a sea change in the local community's thinking. One by one residents came forward willing to give evidence. An analysis of the evidence was undertaken and twelve youngsters were considered as being largely responsible for much of the crime and disorder.
* The project funded among others a skateboard park, new toys for a toddler group, the work of the Neighbourhood Watch, education at schools to address drug and alcohol issues, graffiti removing and improved lightening on streets.

City of Bexley
Natasha Bishopp (Project Manager)