Our Initiatives

Some examples of our initiatives which have contributed to crime reduction in Blackpool are

Tower project

The Tower project was established in January 2002 and aimed at persistent drug related offenders. It is an assertive intensive supervision model that provides immediate drug treatment and support. The most persistent criminals are identified with the key indicators being street robbery, burglary and vehicle crime. Within the first 18 months of the project's implementation domestic burglary in Blackpool was reduced by some 45%.

The Project continues to be a national leader in the Prolific and other Priority Offenders field (PPO) and is regularly identified as good practice. The team was represented at a Home Office / Local Government Association conference last year to disseminate learning from the project with other Partnerships.

Alley gates

We have continued to develop and meet the ever increasing demand for Alley gates in Blackpool and the project continues to flourish. As well as contributing greatly towards crime reduction, this has improved the quality of life and provided reassurance to a large number of residents. The team continues to review best practise in respect of gate installation and are presently consulting with partners, including legal services, regarding the forthcoming changes to the scheme, brought about by the introduction of the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act 2005.

CCTV

Working with Partners, and members of the Council CCTV unit, we have been responsible for the introduction of some 24 rapid deployment CCTV cameras throughout Blackpool. These cameras complement the fixed CCTV configuration predominantly located in the town centre by providing movable coverage to outlying areas. These cameras provide reassurance to the community and act as a deterrent to would be offenders. They are easily relocated to any of 36 columns that have been erected at known hotspots within the outer areas of the town.

Taxi rank initiative

We continue to facilitate the taxi rank initiative as part of the ongoing Nightsafe project, which aims to reduce alcohol related violence, particularly in the town centre. Talbot Square taxi rank becomes extremely busy at closing time and is a potential flashpoint with revellers rushing to obtain a taxi home. The provision of high visibility stewards during the season, at weekends and Bank Holidays ensures the orderly dispersal of these people and contributes greatly towards the reduction of violent crime in the town centre.

Operation Arbiter- Red and Yellow card warnings

The Partnership supported this project, the aim of which was to reduce violent crime in the town centre at weekends, by early intervention. CCTV operators identified potential violent offenders and directed high-visibility police patrols to the area to give a yellow card warning. If their behaviour continued, this resulted in a red card warning (banned from licensed premises for the night) or arrest. Operation Arbiter resulted in a 15% reduction in violent crime for that time period compared to the previous year.

Operation Arrowroot

A multi-agency project to address social issues in the Layton area of Blackpool that had resulted in a Dispersal Order being instigated. This response included high-visibility policing (including Mounted Police), diversionary activities for young people, test purchasing operations and confiscation of alcohol. The operation resulted in a 22.3% reduction in all crime, 16% reduction in violent crime and 35.2% reduction in criminal damage for the period of the project compared to the same period the previous year.

Domestic Abuse

Working with Partner agencies, we have actively sought to address domestic abuse issues throughout Blackpool. This multi agency approach has contributed in no small way to the successful pilot of domestic violence courts that are now held at Blackpool. The team facilitate a domestic violence reduction-working group which, together with the recently appointed domestic abuse coordinator, are looking to reduce abuse within the family and offer assistance to both the victim and perpetrator. The team identified that domestic abuse was under reported in Blackpool and supported an awareness raising poster campaign alongside informative messages via local radio.