Keeping you safe – it’s all about team work

Come and meet your new Community Safety Team

A special invitation has been issued to the people of Darlington giving them a chance to meet the new team aiming to create a safer community for all.

The new Community Safety Team has been created by Darlington Borough Council as part of a radical shake up of services in response to residents’ views that community safety should be one of the council’s priorities.

Members of the public are invited to meet the new team at a special event in the Market Square and Dolphin Centre foyer on Sunday 30 June, 10am-3pm, when the team and partners from Durham Police, County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service, Blood Bikes and others will also be on hand to talk about their work.

There will also be the chance to have a behind-the-scenes look at the CCTV control room on a series of tours. Turn up on the day to book a place with staff, although the number of spaces will be limited.

The new Community Safety Team aims to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour as well as provide reassurance, make the town cleaner and greener and help provide a safe and secure community for residents and visitors.

It brings together CCTV, Trading Standards, Private Sector Housing, Licensing and Community Engagement while a new Civic Enforcement service merges three, previously separate functions – environmental crime, parking and anti-social behaviour.

There is also a Data Analyst to help ensure resources are directed to those areas most in need within the town and surrounding areas and a Community Resilience Officer who works to ensure all partners and Darlington communities are involved in the work to improve the town.

The new team was officially launched this week at a special ceremony in the Dolphin Centre main hall attended by representatives from key partner organisations and local community groups including police, fire, Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner and One Darlington Partnership.

During the ceremony the council’s Civic Enforcement Officers were presented with their Community Safety Accreditation by Durham Police’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell. This accreditation gives them powers normally reserved for police officers.

The highly-trained, uniformed team will use distinctive yellow and black vehicles to ensure high visibility and reassurance as they patrols the streets of the borough, seven days a week, 8am-10pm. Not only will they act as a deterrent, but will also investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute cases of anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, litter, dog fouling, illegal parking and vehicles that are untaxed, dangerous or causing an obstruction or nuisance.

Councillor Jonathan Dulston, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for community safety said:

“The new Community Safety Team signals the start of a new era for the borough of Darlington. We want to work closely with communities to deliver improvements to public safety and reassure our residents that we are listening and taking their concerns seriously.

“Most of our residents are law abiding and community-spirited but unfortunately they are consistently being let down by a tiny minority who do not show consideration for their fellow residents.

“Our new team provides the borough with the capability to safeguard our streets and clamp down on those who infringe on the rights and safety of others. This event is a great opportunity for people to come along and meet the team and our partners to find out more.”

Councillor Heather Scott, Darlington Borough Council leader, added:

“The introduction of the new team provides an exciting opportunity to build on our excellent foundation of working with local communities and provide improved and lasting solutions to crime and disorder in Darlington.

“Our ultimate aim is to keep people safe and we remain determined to secure an environment which our residents and visitors can enjoy.”

Durham Police Chief Constable Jo Farrell, said:

“The launch of the Community Safety Team reinforces our commitment to work in partnership with local organisations to provide a safer community for the people of Darlington.

“Their work will complement the work of our local neighbourhood policing team to help improve the quality of life for people in the borough.”

Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg added:

“It’s great to see so many different skills being brought together in the new Community Safety Team. I’m sure this integration will help the service to be as effective and efficient as possible for the people of Darlington, and it’s a possible model for other places to follow.”

To find out more about the Community Safety Team join us in the Market Square and Dolphin Centre on Sunday 30 June, 10am-3pm; check out the latest edition of One Darlington magazine – which you can view online at www.darlington.gov.uk/onedarlington – or visit the website at www.darlington.gov.uk/communitysafety