Three years ago, vehicles were being stolen at the rate of three per day in Hastings and theft from vehicles had reached seven cases every day.
It's a serious problem which is why Hastings' Car Crime Co-ordinator, has been in action. He told us "You would be amazed what people leave on display in their car". His advice is to remove temptation from thieves. "Move the items out of view or take them with you. Don't be a victim of crime."
Excellent advice, and particularly useful in winter when the dark evenings offer extended 'working hours' for thieves. Improved CCTV cameras and lighting have reduced crime in car parks, but it's important to protect your car when parked outside your own home. Residential streets are unlikely to have the same security measures yet many people fail to take the steps they do when parked in public places.
Much of the Car Crime Co-ordinators work is intended to prevent vehicle crime and to raise public awareness of the issue. You may have seen him in local supermarkets and shopping centres, handing out leaflets and giving advice. He discusses car security systems, offers discounted steering wheel locks and gives advice on general crime prevention.
It's making a difference. The latest figures for car crime are half those of three years ago. Avoid becoming a statistic by following these tips.
Keep your car safe!
The Car Crime Co-ordinator can be contacted on 01424 783378
The Sky's the Limit project received a boost when the St Nicks nursery opened recently. The project offers free Open College Network accredited training to women, which may lead to further education or a return to work. Information Technology and personal development courses take place in a friendly and supportive environment. This approach has worked - in the last year, 185 women have obtained qualifications and 21 have left unemployment for the world of work.
To make these benefits available to more women, Hastings Regeneration Partnership now funds free places in the new nursery for mothers who would like to improve their prospects. Previously, crèche facilities were available for a limited duration. Now the Ofsted registered nursery employs qualified staff, opens from 8am to 6pm and accepts pre-school children of all ages so mums can concentrate on their training without worry.
New training courses begin in January and Gill, Sky's the Limit Manager is eagerly seeking new recruits. "Let us help you realise your potential and discover what you are capable of. Call me for a friendly, informal chat to see what Sky's the Limit can do for you."
You can call Gill on 01424 717616
As their logo suggests, Community Wardens were originally intended to act as the eyes and ears of the community by providing a uniformed presence. They aim to generally improve the quality of life in a specific area by reducing crime and fear of crime, deterring anti-social behaviour and caring for the environment.
What this means in practice is wardens walking the streets of Hollington, building relationships with residents and getting involved with all kinds of problem solving.
The wardens, who are all trained first aiders, pride themselves on their ability to help in every situation. "We have never turned down a request," says one of the team. "Even if we cannot help people ourselves, we will know who can and how to get in touch with them."
The assistance offered and accepted has ranged from helping an elderly lady to fill in a DSS form, to advising on matters such as home security and dealing with noisy neighbours. Carole Bailey of the Greater Hollington Partnership says, "It's a user friendly service. They are ordinary people who care about the estate and the community"
The wardens also report abandoned vehicles, vandalism, and other environmental blights. They ensure their information is followed up and acted on to put the matter right. They support the Police and the Youth Development Service and liaise with 1066 Housing Association on housing and tenant matters.
After two years, the wardens and local residents know each other's faces and names. This includes the young people of Hollington. A key part of the warden's job is intervening in situations where the young people are considered to be acting anti-socially. In these cases, the wardens mediate between young people and complainants. Taking time to talk to everyone involved enables a solution. Often compromise and tolerance on both sides is the answer. To deal with cases of 'wild' youth, the wardens visit the parents and have a chat with them. This has generally been welcomed, as parents prefer this approach to having the police rap on the door when a crime has actually occurred. It frequently results in improved behaviour of the youngster concerned, at least in the short term.
Carole Bailey believes these efforts have made a difference. "The wardens have made people feel more confident with their visible presence. Having them in Hollington has improved the feel good factor".
The wardens are funded by Hastings Regeneration Partnership, Sussex Enterprise, central government and Hastings Borough Council. The Council's Community Safety Co-ordinator, is proud of their achievements. He says "The wardens really are the cement between the bricks, holding it all together."
Hollington's Community Wardens are based at Century House in Menzies Road. Telephone 01424 783242
left: Hollington Community Wardens
When organisations such as councils, hospitals, schools and the police, work together to identify and solve local problems. The Community Wardens are an example of joined-up working.
An objective assessment of a regeneration project against a range of criteria, on which the decision of whether that project should be funded or not, is based.
Policies, projects and initiatives that draw people into the mainstream of a society and all the opportunities that go with it. The opposite of social exclusion.
A shortage of adequately skilled individuals in the labour market, often linked to particular sectors of the economy.
Hastings Regeneration Partnership brings together the voluntary, public and private sectors to spend £26 million Single Regeneration Budget money provided through South East England Development Agency. With matched funding, the 100 local projects pull in a total of £128 million for social, economic and physical regeneration.
The Partnership can be contacted on 01424 781781.
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This page last updated: 19/12/2003