District Partnership launches crime-prevention blitz in Matlock
19 January 2010
A team of police officers, PCSOs, fire service personnel and representatives from Derbyshire Dales District Council, local housing, health, voluntary associations and other partners will be knocking on doors at Hurst Farm in Matlock on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (20-22 January).
Organised by the Safer Derbyshire Dales community safety partnership, with funding for the security kits from Dales Housing, the Hurst Farm scheme follows a successful project in Baslow last autumn and an earlier trial in the Yokecliffe area of Wirksworth.
Now the project has 14 partner groups, including Dales Housing and Derbyshire Dales District Council. In addition to home security, the Hurst Farm team will be advising on fire safety, health and housing issues.
Divisional Commander for the Derbyshire Dales, Chief Superintendent Pete Lewis said: “The key to the effectiveness of this project is engaging with local people. That is why the team will be knocking on doors and carefully explaining how DNA property marking works and making out the necessary registrations.
“Previous experience suggests we will become aware of residents whose needs extend beyond crime prevention, and that is why it is great that the First Contact Scheme, which is a one-contact organisation for people needing help, is also in this partnership.”
SelectaDNA, which manufactures the security marking system, is already using the Derbyshire Dales as a best practice example in the UK. Selecta DNA is a uniquely coded non-toxic liquid which is painted onto property and shows up under a UV lamp. The kits also contain warning labels and window stickers. Registration onto a national database enables police to trace back any stolen items to the owners.
The marking system has been shown to reduce theft and burglaries by up to 85% and signs promoting the initiative will be put up on routes leading in and out of Hurst Farm to deter thieves.
Derbyshire Dales District Council Leader Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, who is also Chairman of the Safer Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership, said: “It is well reported that our area is one of the safest places to live in the UK, with low crime statistics.
“A big contributory factor is that the District Council, local police and our other partners are continually looking at innovative ways of ensuring local people stay safe. This project is an example of partnership working at its best.
“Crime in the Derbyshire Dales reduced last year even in difficult economic times. That is a terrific achievement and an endorsement of the way we listen to what local people are saying and act on their concerns.”
Police Partnership Sergeant based at Derbyshire Dales District Council, Nick Reason said: “The Hurst Farm project builds on the Operation Hever initiative in Baslow, which was extremely successful with more than 400 SelectaDNA kits given to properties and around 30 referrals to the First Contact Scheme.
“I am delighted this partnership has developed beyond property marking to include advice on fire safety, health issues and general housing needs.
“Our thanks go to the many organisations and agencies that continue to play their part in helping to keep the Derbyshire Dales a safe place to live, work and visit.”
More details about SelectaDNA can be found online at the SelectaDNA website.