An innovative approach to tackling community problems
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the local Council, Police and Fire Service could be more co-ordinated when it came to dealing with community concerns, such as vandalism, anti-social behaviour and local eyesores or untidy streets?
Launched in April 2012 as the brainchild of the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Project Endevour has brought together a team, including local Community Safety, Environmental Health, Housing and Licensing Officers, with Police and Fire Service to work together on tackling community problems.
Bill Cullen, Hinckley & Bosworth Council’s Deputy Chief Executive said: “We want to get away from considering, for instance, anti- social behaviour being just the responsibility of the Police. The public just want the issue dealt with and aren’t concerned with powers or which responsibility individual agencies have to tackle the matter.”
Project Endeavour is building on existing partnerships and is putting in place a multi- agency community protection team whose aims it is to improve community’s environment and safety.
Information from local complaints will be pulled together by a Project Co-ordinator. This will then be prioritised by a multi-agency tactical team who will consider the most effective joint action that can be taken to deal with the issue and nip things in the bud before they escalate.
Chris Thomas, BCU Commander for Leicestershire Constabulary said: “Project Endeavour is about agencies undertaking their core business around problems issues on a daily basis, with the objective of joining up work and improving services for local people.”
Educating young people on the importance of staying safe is an important part of Project Endeavour. As part of the initiative, the Fire Service will be communicating this message on behalf of the Partners to local schools and will discuss fire safety, keeping safe and awareness of drugs and alcohol issues.
Local Fire Station Manager, Steve Robinson- Day said: “We are looking forward to make the Borough a more pleasant place to live and make sure that vulnerable people get the care that they deserve.”
Phil Hawkins, Head of Youth Justice and Safer Communities at Leicestershire County Council added: “The County Council is very pleased to be part of this new approach. I think we’ve made a good start and I look forward to helping the project to develop into a dynamic and responsive service for everyone in Hinckley and Bosworth.”
On the horizon there is an exciting addition to the project. The Leicestershire Constabulary are considering asking local people to decide how to spend a proportion of police time.
This is a model that has proved very popular to communities in Europe since it has been introduced.
Ron Scales of Earl Shilton says on the initiative: “It can only be good for the community”.
Local resident Helen Cobley adds: “I think it will work, but it depends on communication between the agencies.”
For more information on Project Endeavour, contact the Community Safety Team at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council on 01455 238141 or email endeavor. hinckley@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk
