Residents in parts of Nottingham are getting their own dedicated Burglary Reduction Officer.
Julian Best will work with the local community undertaking risk assessments of properties at risk of burglary, organising improvements to security, which could include new door locks, Ring doorbells, window alarms, security lighting and/or CCTV.
His role is possible thanks to the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, who secured £432k from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund to invest in safety improvements in parts of the Arboretum and Lenton Triangle areas of Nottingham.
The funding is being invested in a raft of security upgrades and additional policing to reduce the fear of crime and prevent households and individuals falling victim to criminals. Commissioner Henry is working together with a team of partners including Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council as part of an ambitious strategy to make Nottingham safer.
Residents living in the parts of Arboretum and Lenton Triangle consistently identify burglary as their greatest crime concern in annual crime and antisocial behaviour surveys in the city. Residents in those areas should keep an eye out for Julian and he will be in touch with eligible households shortly to look at safety measures available to them.
Julian will always carry Nottingham City Council branded ID badge and residents will receive a letter and scheme flyer either by post or hand delivered where they will then also have the ability to discuss the scheme.
Speaking about his role and the work he will be doing, Julian said: “I am pleased to be able to work with residents in these identified areas to assist with improving the security of their homes to hopefully reduce the chance of them becoming a burglary victim. Burglaries or the fear of being burgled can be distressing to residents and I hope to be able to alleviate this fear as much as possible with this Safer Streets Funding.”
The Safer Streets project will also fund:
- Free security upgrades at up to 500 residential properties in the area including previous burglary victims and neighbouring properties. Improvements will be based on risk and vulnerability and could include new window and door locks, window alarms, external PIR lights, external PIR activated CCTV, repairs or security improvements to doors and windows, and where beneficial repairs to gates/perimeter fencing.
- Free Ring doorbell devices to up to 375 student properties in the area.
- Installation of CCTV camera in Bridlington Park which will be live-monitored at the City’s CCTV control room.
- Enhanced Policing focused on key crime types by local neighbourhood policing teams and a ‘day of action’ every month for the next 10 months to disrupt, deter and prevent criminality in the area and develop local intelligence.
- Recruitment of Community Champions through Nottingham City Council to engage with wider community and student population.
- Proactive policing through Operation Graduate to protect safety of students returning to the city and help prevent burglaries.
- Drive to encourage local take-up of Nottinghamshire Alert.
Cllr Neghat Khan, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion at Nottingham City Council, said: “Julian has hit the ground running and is already out working with residents. He will be a real asset to the Safer Streets project and his work will make a real difference to residents in these neighbourhoods.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and we know that burglary is a major concern for residents. We are working in partnership with the Police and the Commissioner to try to reduce burglary and make people’s homes safer.”
Police and Crime
Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “Julian’s appointment is a huge plus for the city and will ensure
local people know exactly where to turn if they need extra security to help
them stay safe at home.
“I am determined to prevent crime happening in the first place which is why I
have pushed hard to secure Safer Streets funding across Nottinghamshire.
Through this project and the additional resources it will bring, we will ensure
criminals do not see Nottingham as a soft spot for crime.”