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Notes from the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association (CNWA) Board members December 4, 2009

Posted by cumbrianwa in Event, Notes on CNWA Meetings.
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After a welcome by Dr John Perkins the Chair of CNWA, the attendees – Board, Coordinators and Police – all introduced themselves. There were representatives from NHW in Kendal, Barrow, & Levens, CNWA Board members from throughout the county, Police representatives from mainly Kendal area, from the Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) in Barrow, and from Cumbria County Council.

Andy Baines gave a description of his new role as Safer & Stronger Communities manager with Cumbria Police – and then explained why the Cumbrian Police force had come out poor on its recent assessment on the implementation of the Policing Pledge due to process issues, but Cumbria remains very high in public confidence in the work of the Police. He explained the background to NHW in Cumbria, how the CDRPs had funded the Development Officers in the past, but this had led to a distancing between the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and NHW. With the new structure, the NHW linked to the NH Policing Teams, District Councils, County Council, Fire & Rescue Service and others, to give them a wider and more local support.

Dr John Perkins then gave a brief explanation of the role of CNWA, in representing NHW in Cumbria locally and nationally, acting as a voice for NHW, and promoting and exchanging good practice across NHW in Cumbria.

There then followed a question & answer session.
Q – A question about the role of CDRP was answered by Rebecca Rawlings of Barrow CDRP, with an explanation of how the CDRP was working well with the local NHW groups, as confirmed by Peter Thomas, one of the Barrow NHW coordinators who acts as a link with the other coordinators locally – inviting PCSOs, local coordinators to meetings, and help set-up new groups. The Barrow model was cited as a good example of joint working between the local policing teams and NHW, by Dr Perkins.

Q – How can people new to the area and to NHW find out about their local Policing team – and it was suggested that people could visit or phone their local police station, or use the Cumbria Police website. It was agreed that there was a problem that the database of NHW coordinators was out of date, and work was needed to get it sorted. This work was being done mainly by the local Policing teams as they learnt how to use the system, and as they got to know their coordinators. But coordinators could help the Policing teams by getting in touch, and helping to identify other coordinators in the area.

Q – With more people being trained in the Voice Connect (VC) system, it was hoped messages would be better organised and clearer, but meanwhile patience is needed as people get trained up. There was concern that some VC messages were only half recorded on answer machines, or the message did not record at all. The VC tries 3 times to contact people, but sometimes does not get through the answer machine, possible due to issues with the BT answaphone system. Andy Baines was going to investigate more, but reminded people that the VC system was very sophisticated, can could direct messages to specific areas and contacts, so not all coordinators would get all the messages, and that the info could also be sent out by email, text and the website. There was a request for more information to be included about VC in the next newsletter.

Q – Andy Baines asked how many in the room knew their Community Police Officer – and only 2 appeared to know this info. But there was a strong interest to know more.

Q – There was a discussion about the CNWA AGM and why it was useful to attend, as a coordinator questioned the role of CNWA, and the possibility of the next AGM being in South Lakeland.

Q – Dr Perkins requested assistance in finding more Board members to represent NHW from South Lakeland area. And to encourage people to look to replicate the example of the CDRP & NHW in Barrow, by closer working of NHW and Policing teams in the local areas.

The meeting ended with Dr Perkins thanking those who had attended for their ideas and input, and hoping to see them at future meetings.

Community Focus: The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership November 24, 2009

Posted by cumbrianwa in Community Action.
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What is the CDRP…?

Barrow Borough Council has a responsibility (as do all local authorities) to ensure that their Borough is a safe place to live. In order to do this, we work closely with a host of local organisations including members of community groups, a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, the police, Cumbria police authority, the local fire and rescue service, the Neighbourhood Management Team, the probation service, local health service representatives and the county council. There are currently around 45 people on the partnership.

This local group of people come together regularly to look at local issues and to plan what we can do to tackle them. The group is known as Barrow Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

The Partnership has a number of responsibilities, including, producing an assessment of local crime and disorder issues; deciding on a list of priorities for our communities; and producing a plan to outline how we intend to address our primary concerns. Throughout the year we monitor the progress of the projects in which we are involved. We have a number of task groups based around our priorities which work towards having an impact on particular areas of concern.

Our meetings are public meetings and co-ordinators and members of neighbourhood watch are welcome to attend and observe at any time. There is an opportunity to raise questions at the end, however, agencies in Barrow are keen to support neighbourhood watch and regularly attend all types of community meetings around the borough.

In Barrow, local neighbourhood watch co-ordinators meet every three months or so for an informal chat and a cup of tea. Agencies are invited along to these meetings to offer services and chat with local residents. It is an opportunity for groups to share best practice, tips and ideas. They can also put a name and a face to local agencies and service providers and then know who to ring when they want help or advice. From our point of view it is an excellent forum to meet real people from real neighbourhoods and talk about real concerns and issues in our communities.

For more information please log on to www.barrowbc.gov.uk/cdrp visit www.barrowcdrp.blogspot.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/Saferstronger. More conventional methods are also available….phone Rebecca on 01229 876475, e-mail rrawlings@barrowbc.gov.uk or pop in to the Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Office on Dalton Road in Barrow.

Here is a little on how Barrow CDRP and one particular neighbourhood watch, Fife Street Neighbourhood Watch – whose co-ordinator is Pete Thomas – work together….
Pete Thomas, a local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator has been involved with Barrow CDRP for some time. Since December last year he has become more involved with the CDRP at all levels. He attends all full Partnership meetings, co-chairs the Burglary and Acquisitive Crime Task Group alongside a local Detective Inspector (this is a developing co-chairship) and also attends those smaller decision making meetings regarding funding, and priority setting that include the statutory partners.

Pete is a valued member of the Partnership and his community knowledge and ability to ’round up the troops’ as it were, are assets that the public agencies benefit from greatly. He can remind us of the ‘people aspect’ of our work and offer an alternative viewpoint. Pete is a true active citizen and has now started up a local ‘NWatch Co-ordinators group’ to which he invites various agency representatives so that we can access a number of community groups at once and they then invite those agencies they want to their individual groups (agencies ‘on tap’ not agencies ‘on top’). The agencies in Barrow are keen supporters of Pete’s groups and relationships are flourishing. We believe that John McKnight’s idea of ‘Asset-Based Community Development’ is starting to be cultivated amongst groups like those Pete hosts and through the channels with which we engage with Neighbourhood Watch in Barrow.

Tribute to PC Bill Barker November 23, 2009

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Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association salutes the brave and noble PC Bill Barker, who gave his life protecting the public in the recent flooding disaster. The self-sacrifice of this award winning constable epitomises the courageous dedication to public service of Cumbria Police. CNWA joins the many thousands of others in offering our condolences and grateful thanks to Bill’s family.

Thank you, PC Barker and thank you to all the emergency services who are playing their part in maintaining public safety during these trying times.

Internet safety for young people – a major conference at Rheged November 11, 2009

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I picked up this article today from the CCC website, this is an important area of concern and some of our members might well want to attend.
I apologise for the short notice, but this info was only posted by CCC yesterday.

10/11/2009 – Internet safety for young people – a major conference – media invite

A major conference takes place at Rheged near Penrith on Thursday (12th November 2009) to help raise awareness about internet safety, particularly for children.

Key speakers, both local and from across the country, will address 150 delegates at the conference, ‘Protecting Children, Young People and Professionals in the Digital World.’

The event, organised and funded by Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board (LCSB), begins with a performance by students from Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale about the risks they face using the internet.

Speakers include Cumbria’s Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde, President of the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace and Will Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, Childnet International.

The conference will also involve interactive workshops and information areas.

As well as the safety of children, delegates will hear about the need for safe working practices from organisations and professionals who work with young people.

Jeff Haslam, E-Safety Advisor, Children’s Services, Cumbria County Council, said:

“As children and young people spend more time in the ‘virtual world’ that ICT brings in its various forms, we increasingly have a duty to make sure they do this safely.”

Research has found that more than a third of 12–15-year-olds have faced some form of cyberbullying, such as identity theft.

The conference is linked to Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from 16-20th November.

This year’s theme is ‘Stay Safe in Cyberspace.’

Anti-Bullying Week is run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance with funding support from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337

Latest CNWA newsletter August 23, 2009

Posted by cumbrianwa in Newsletter.
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CNWA Newsletter Banner
The latest newsletter is on its way to coordinators. We hope you find it interesting. Click here for your digital version. Do let us have your comments. You will also receive your invitation to the AGM. We hope to see many of you there.

Forwarded: Some Advice Regarding Swine ‘Flu July 13, 2009

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Forwarded from The Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, some information pertinent to community safety.

“Hello

In recent weeks swine flu has moved back up the agenda with sadly, a number of deaths.  That said, this strain of flu doesn’t appear one of the more deadly ones.

It could start causing significant disruption to businesses though so here are a few useful hints and tips to point you in the right direction, ensuring that if a pandemic does strike, your business is in the best possible shape to cope and survive:

  • Review and update your business continuity plan, you should consider drafting a specific version for pandemic flu bearing in mind that the plan will need to be easily accessible and available to a wider audience than normally the case
  • Make sure staff are trained and able to cover for absent colleagues, ensure all key activities and roles have written procedures so in an emergency anyone can use the procedures and get the job done
  • Issue staff with guidelines making particular reference to maintaining hygiene standards such as cleaning shared office equipment with antibacterial wipes, regular hand washing, disposing of used tissues immediately, and staying away from work if you have flu like symptoms
  • Review HR policies – Do staff receive sick pay? Do people get sick pay if they have to care for a sick relative? Do people get paid if sent home as a precautionary measure? Or if they’re too frightened to come to work?  Do you have a clear policy regarding time off for funerals?  Clearly it would be wise to look into all of these questions before a crisis hits – Chamber members should make use of Chamber HR, free employment and health & safety support through a dedicated HR advice line supported by a comprehensive bespoke website.  Chamber HR gives you access to the advice and documentation you need to implement good HR practice and policies, the website offers access to over 150 downloadable policies, forms, documents, letters, templates and factsheets – more information can be found by visitingwww.cumbriachamber.co.uk
  • A word of caution – don’t buy medicines over the internet, most of what’s available isn’t genuine.  There are a number of reliable sources, we have contact with at least one if anyone would like further details please get in touch

There are a number of organisations which provide further advice and information should you need to make use of this:

Cumbria Emergency Planning Unit – contains practical advice to businesses on this and other potential crises, plus information on emergency support within Cumbria

British Chambers of Commerce – useful guidance for business travellers

World Health Organisation – WHO are responsible for providing leadership on global health matters

Foreign & Commonwealth Office – from climate change and financial instability, to health pandemics and weapons proliferation, the UK’s national security and prosperity depend on the work of the FCO

Department of Health – responsible for health protection, health improvement and health inequalities issues in England including pandemic influenza and seasonal flu

Health Protection Agency – prepared advice for the public and for healthcare professionals on swine influenza

Business Link Northwest – understand the risks and brief your staff, keep informed and review your business readiness

Regards

Lesley

Lesley Robinson

Marketing & Communications Coordinator”

lesleye@cumbriachamber.co.uk

Neighbourhood Watch Week in Cumbria North West July 13, 2009

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Source National Neighbourhood Watch Website” In Cumbria events are being held throughout the County to celebrate the successes of Neighbourhood Watch, inform members about new support structures, and raise awareness about the national theme of ‘Action Against Burglary’.

Currently there are over 3,000 registered watch schemes covering residential premises, business premises and farming communities. In the last twelve months, more than 40 crimes have been detected as a result of information received from Neighbourhood Watch members, and countless more prevented as a result of measures taken by members to protect themselves and their communities. Members are also actively engaged in community problem solving, identifying local issues, agreeing priorities, and working with partners to find solutions, improving the quality of life for all members of that community.”

June 29, 2009

Posted by cumbrianwa in Members.
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Check out the improved CNWA website and add comments please for the on-going improvement work. Keith

The Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association Newsletter 2008 June 21, 2009

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Click here for the  2008 CNWA Newsletter

Further information about Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association can be found at the CNWA website

Thank you