The Safer Harlow Partnership is a partnership of organisations and groups working together to reduce crime, disorder and the misuse of drugs in the town. It is led by Harlow Council, Essex Police, Essex County Council, West Essex Primary Care Trust, and Essex Fire & Rescue Service (Responsible Authorities), but includes many other local bodies such as Probation, Victim Support, the Youth Offending Team, Essex Youth Service, Neighbourhood Watch and residents groups. It is a sub-group of the Harlow 2020 Local Strategic Partnership.
The Partnership is known as a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires these to be set up within each district in England and Wales. Each CDRP is required to conduct an audit of crime and disorder in their area every three years, leading to the production and publication of a three crime and disorder reduction strategy. The current audit and strategy are shown within this website, where you can see detailed crime data, the public’s crime priorities and the 3 year Strategy 2005-08.
Click here to view the 2005-2008 Strategy Summary
Click here to view the full Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy 2005-2008.
The audit is broken down into three parts.
Click here to see Part one.
Click to see Part Two.
Click to view the Appendix.
The Safer Harlow Partnership is supported by five Priority Groups, each of which is responsible for producing an annual action plan, containing targets to achieve the Strategy objectives. Each priority group is chaired by one of the Responsible Authority representatives as follows:
Safer Harlow Partnership - The Chair is the Chief Executive, Harlow Council.
Anti-Social Behaviour Group – The Chair is the Divisional Officer, Essex Fire and Rescue.
Crime Group – The Chair is the Chief Inspector, Harlow Police.
Communications & Awareness Group – The Chair is the Head of Community Services, Harlow Council
Drugs & Alcohol Group – The Chair is the Director, West Essex Primary Care Trust.
Hate Crime Group (racial, homophobic) - The Chair is Area Co-ordinator, West Essex County Council
Domestic Violence sub-group – The Chair is from Essex Probation Service
What has the Safer Harlow Partnership been doing
for YOU?
What have we introduced to tackle crime and disorder?
· A dedicated website
· “It’s your call” hotline (0845 605 2222)
· Mobile picture messaging service
· Taxi Marshals
· The “Gate-it” project
· Youth Shelters
· Drugs Sniffer Dogs
· Behave or Be Banned (BOBB) scheme
· Talking CCTV
· Safer Homes – burglary protection
Have a look at the news items on the home page of this website
What have we distributed to help protect the environment?
· Cigarette Stub & Gum Pouches
· Dog Fouling Bags
· Crucial Crew – all Year 6 pupils in the town
Have a look at the news items on the home page of this website
What campaigns do we run to help fight against anti-social behaviour?
Crucial Crew is an interactive safety event for school children; this is an annual event and has been running since 2004.
‘Crucial Crew’ is a multi-agency community safety project attended by all year 6 Harlow school pupils. Children will take part in ten scenarios addressing various crime prevention and personal safety issues. A diverse range of agencies will facilitate realistic and stimulating scenarios, many of which are based on real life situations that could be dangerous or threatening to youngsters.
The current agencies involved in Crucial Crew are:
Harlow Council
Community Engagement
Respect Team
Enforcement Team
Environmental Health
EDF Energy / Essex Police / Essex Fire Services
Kier Harlow / Harlow PCT /Essex Road Safety
· Firebreak – Essex Fire and Rescue Service
The Firebreak programme aims to promote a culture of safety and citizenship for Key stage 4 children (between the ages of 13 -16 years) by providing a range of vital life skills whilst undertaking the various disciplines of the Fire Service in non-residential course lasting 5 or 7 days.
The Firebreak course endeavours to:
· Instill a sense of self discipline, self worth, independence and
responsibility
· Promote teamwork amongst the attendees
· Encourage trainees to respect the differences between people
· Confirm the benefits of worthwhile and fulfilling relationships
· Urge trainees to play an active and worthwhile role as a member of
their community
· Ensure that the trainees make the most of their own and others
potential
The Firebreak scheme is run by the Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Harlow and Epping Forest Community Command and is funded in part by the Safer Harlow Partnerhip & Epping Forest Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership
.
· Mini-motos - Operation “Catch & Crush”
Harlow Council and Harlow Police launched operation Catch and Crush in July 2006 following concerns from residents about mini motos, quad bikes and scramblers being ridden on public land or roads. Under the law, all such bikes must be taxed and insured. Harlow Council and the Police carry out surveillance and follow up on reports of illegally ridden nuisance bikes.
Following a first phase of surveillance, confiscated bikes were crushed at a public crushing in the town square in August 2006 watched by many residents and thoese who had experienced bike nuisance. Despite a large number of seizures in phase one, the problems have been decreasing. In the latest operation August 2007 two bikes were seized and five warnings issued. Nine fixed penalty notices were issued to car drivers spotted using mobile phones whilst driving or not using seat belts.
· Fireworks - Operation “Bang out of Order”
“Have a fun fireworks and Halloween but not at the expense of others or your own safety”, is the message from the Safer Harlow Partnership
A public information event was held in the Water Gardens outside Asda. Various members of the partnership attended and handed out over 500 information packs, which gave advice and tips on having a safe Halloween and Fireworks night as well as information on the law. Residents who do not wish to be disturbed on Halloween night could also pick up a poster stating '
no trick or treat please' to place in their front windows leading up to the event.
The public information event is part of the partnership’s operation: Bang Out of Order. The joint operation aims to reduce anti-social behaviour which may affect local people’s quality of life during the lead up to Halloween and firework celebrations.
The operation also involves:
· Encouraging residents to phone the Police on 641212 to report any misuse of fireworks. The calls are directed straight to a nuisance firework car for a response. Emergencies must be reported to 999 as normal.
· During October to 5 November the Police and Council will step up enforcement work with its officers on standby from 6pm to 2am everyday to respond to incidents.
· The Education Consortium sends out a range of information to infant and junior schools. The Fire Service also joins force with the Police and visit majority of the secondary schools to undertake safety talks. Essex County Council Youth Workers carry out outreach work with young people in the town.
· Trading Standards run countywide campaign providing specific advice to traders on firework storage and sale. This is included in Harlow joint
work with the Council and Police test purchasing fireworks.
· Police Community Support Officers encourage shop traders to display
firework law information.
Detailed information for the public and traders can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks <http://www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks>.
The partnership each year encourages people to attend professionally organised displays as a safety precaution rather than organise there our displays. Harlow Council’s free Fireworks & Bonfire Night takes place on in Harlow Town Park.
