SAFETY BOOST IN OYSTERFIELDS

6 July 2004

MORE than 250 families benefited from community safety advice at the weekend on the Oysterfields estate. Fire officers checked smoke alarms and gave advice on escape routes; police officers marked mobile phones and distributed invitations to a Neighbourhood Watch meeting, and representatives from Aldwyck and Hightown Praetorian Churches Housing Associations noted residents’ concerns on any housing issues. Residents were also given a pack containing information on road safety, home security; recycling and the partnership’s new community safety website, www.stalbanscsp.org.uk.

Three local ward councillors, Roma Mills, Martin Leach and Eleanor Harris joined the teams visiting the households. Roma Mills commented, "This is the first time I can remember representatives of all these agencies visiting local people as a joint team to ask about the issues that concern them. It was a really worthwhile exercise and I am grateful to all those who gave up their Saturday to support the event. I was very pleased to meet so many residents and hope that they found the visits positive and helpful. This is being followed up by a meeting on Monday 12th July to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in this area which would be an excellent outcome."

The event follows on from an environmental tidy up on Tuesday 29 June, when bulky waste was removed, graffiti cleaned up and untaxed vehicles were clamped.

Chris Roach, Community Safety Co-ordinator for the Partnership, said: “We hope that helping people to feel safer in their homes will contribute to their well being - we know that the fear of crime can contribute to people’s ill health. Residents welcomed this initiative and we plan to repeat the event in other areas during the course of the year.” She went on to thank volunteers from the Crime Prevention Panel and Tidier St Albans Group who had given up their time to call on householders.

Councillor Brian Peyton, Portfolio Holder for Community Leadership, said “It is reassuring to see how agencies can work together in such an effective way to promote both community safety and community spirit in the District.”

Community Safety Inspector Duncan Sales added: “We marked dozens of mobile phones and several residents expressed an interest in joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme so we expect to see lots of people at the meeting on Monday. I was very impressed with the way the community engaged with the agencies and I hope this will improve the residents’ quality of life.”

Media enquiries to:

Christine Roach
Community Support Manager
St Albans City & District Council
Tel: 01727 819305
Email: c.roach@stalbans.gov.uk