'Safer Hart'

The Safer Hart Community Safety Partnership was established as a result of the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act, and now encompasses more than 20 partnership agencies (Listed below). The Partnership seeks to establish common ground, to pool resources, powers and expertise to facilitate a comprehensive response to community needs and wishes, whilst raising the understanding of community safety issues and improving the qualify of life for local people. A multi agency approach, allows for the tackling of crime on a both reactive and proactive level, ensuring the partnership tackles the root causes of crime.

In December 2004 ‘Safer Hart’ finished undertaking its third Crime Audit, and devised the third Community Safety Strategy which is the driving force behind the work of the ‘Safer Hart’ partnership for the 3 years (currently running 2005 - 2008). See strategic Assessments and Crime Audits and Community Safety Strategies.

In 2006 a review of the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) led to a number of recommendations when producing the required detailed analysis of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour (Crime Audit). The review aimed to strengthen and extend those requirements based on experience of partnership working. A key recommendation which came into force in August 2007 is the introduction of Strategic Assessments.

Strategic Assessments are intended to move partnerships to a more business-led approach. By removing the three yearly audit and replacing it with the Strategic Assessment which must be conducted at least once annually, partnerships will improve their understanding of problems and their potential causes.

The Strategic Assessment will enable the 'Safer Hart' Partnership to; respond more effectively to the community, plan activity, allocate resources and deliver activities that focus on priorities and achieve results.

The 'Safer Hart' Community Safety Partnership consists of the following agencies:

(responsible bodies are in bold)

• Hart District Council
• Hampshire Police Authority
• Rushmoor and Hart Victim Support
• Sentinel Housing Association
• Hart Voluntary Action
• Wessex Youth Offending Team
• Hampshire Police
• Hampshire Fire Authority
• Hart Youth Team
• Children's Services
• Adult Services
• Hampshire County Council
• Drug and Alcohol Action Team
• Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Hart District Association of Parish Councils
• Blackwater Valley and Hart Primary Care Trust
• Connexions
• South West Trains
• Domestic Violence Forum
• Local Strategic Partnership
• Northeast Hants Magistrates
• Probation Service

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'Safer Hart' Initiatives

The ‘Safer Hart’ Partnership facilitates a number of community initiatives aimed at reducing crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Fleet:SAFE

In January 2003 the Fleet Pubwatch scheme was re-vitalised. All licensed premises in Fleet were invited to join along with Hart District Council, the police and Fleet Town Centre Management. The group devised the name Fleetlink / Pubwatch to show the day and night time elements of the town centre businesses working together. Fleetlink / Pubwatch aims to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder, and produced Fleetlink posters which were placed in bus shelters, shops and licensed premises to raise awareness of the scheme.

Fleetlink Pubwatch was officially launched in June 2003 by Will Carling under the ‘Safer Hart’ Tackling Crime initiative. Funding was secured for ten premises to trial NiteNet radios which link into the CCTV control room, and other storenet users. This allows for communication between premises regarding incidents of disorder, both during the day and at night.

In November 2005 the scheme was re-launched as Fleet:SAFE under a new chairman with new ideas and initiatives, which includes a commitment from licensed premises to support each other in reducing night time disorder by banning individuals collectively.

The scheme is in the process of being rolled out in Yateley and Hook.

Residents Working Group

The ‘Safer Hart’ Partnership Support Officer and Community Wardens are currently facilitating a Working Group with local residents and agencies including, Environmental Health, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Police, Sentinel Housing Association, Local Town Council and Hart District Council.

The group is working through a detailed project plan to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in a particular area of Hart, and to improve the security and well being of local residents. To date a number of projects are successfully underway and partnership working has reduced arson by 100% in the area.

Community Wardens Scheme

Two full-time wardens have been employed by the Safer Hart Partnership.

Our community wardens provide a highly visible uniformed presence, patrolling hotpots around the district and being a point of contact for local residents (Linking into the previously mentioned working group). See Community Wardens

'Safer Hart' Post cards and Posters

Provide information on various community safety issues and can be distributed to targeted groups or shown in hotspot areas.

'Safer Hart' has re-launched a poster and post card campaign aimed at informing the public on a number of crime and disorder related issues. The post cards include information on:

• Youth and Leisure
• Arson
• Anti-Social Behaviour
• Fear of Crime
• Domestic Violence
• Disorder
• Bullying
• Bogus Caller
• Repeat Victimisation
• Mental Health
• Education
• Fleetlink (Pubwatch)
• Drug Abuse
• Theft From a Vehicle
• Theft of a Vehicle

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