Anti-social Task Force

The Police and NLC's Anti-social Task Force are each in the early stages of major restructuring of how they go about their business.

When complete the changes should mean incidents of anti-social and/or nuisance behaviour should be dealt with more quickly, efficiently and effectively. We wait with keen interest to see for ourselves evidence that the expected improvements in service deliver are happening on the ground.

Rob Brown - Forgewood's very own Rob O'Cop

Forgewood Community Council makes no apologies for our support of the Police who we recognise do a great job in trying circumstances.

It comes as no surprise to us that a review of the statistics of the number of arrests attributed to an individual officer show PC Rob Brown, previously stationed to Forgewood, ran the eventual winner a very close second in this review. Judging by recent article posted on the *BBC online new website it would seem Rob's efforts and the statistics he posted are getting the recognition and attention they deserve.

PC Brown was a frequent visitor and contributor at Community Council meetings. News of Rob's redeployment was received with a degree of surprise to the Community Council but we see now in the light of these statistics why his bosses would want to move him on to allow him the opportunity to take up new challenges in other areas.

As much as Rob is missed, we are pleased to report that his colleagues have picked up where he left off.

*It looks as though this article on the BBC website may have been lifted from a similar piece that appeared in The Sunday Post on Sunday 18 October 2009.

Big Blether 2 - Community Safety Event

Get those Diary's out, Motherwell Community Forum tell us they have set the date for Big Blether 2.

The Event is intended to give community representatives and interested individuals from all the Motherwell Area the opportunity to get together to discuss all issues relating to Community Safety.

The Event is scheduled to take place at Dalziel High School, Hamilton Rd, Motherwell, on Saturday 31 May 2008, an all day event commencing with registration of delegates 09:30 to closing comments 3pm. Refreshments and buffet lunch provided.

Interested then you should contact MCF at (insert link to Contact Details on MCF Website) to register your interest in attending.

Big Blether 2 - Community Council was an idea borne out of the issues raised by the community at the original Big Blether community consultation event organised by FCC with the assistance of Peter McNally, one of the CL&D local area Patch Team for this area.

Click here to view a copy of the original report.

The Event was discussed at the Motherwell Community Forum where it quickly became clear that the issue that is Community Safety is a hot topic throughout all areas and all communities here in the Southern Area of North Lanarkshire.

Indeed, it was following on from this discussion that the decision was taking on responsibility for organising and deliver the event .

We hope to be able to post details of the Event in the New Year.

Safer Scotland

The Scottish Government works to deliver its legislative policies one of five main themes. One of these five main themes is action to create a Safer Scotland. When you get a moment we would urge you to visit the Safer Scotland site and read for yourself how the Scottish Government aims to deliver a Scotland where our communities live in harmony and free from the fear of crime.

Community Safety

Forgewood is no different to communities the length and breadth of Britain where resident's perceptions and fear of crime is often out of kilter with the available statistics. On the other hand, the available statistics are often at odds with the communities experiences of crime in the area.

All with a desire for seeing and/or responsibility for delivering meaningful and lasting change for Forgewood recognise that Community Safety and all that this entails is key to achieving these objectives.

To this end, community representatives, elected members, the Police, NLC, and Registered Social Landlords are working together with renewed vigour, toward a shared vision and with common purpose to create a community where residents are safe, secure and can take pleasure and pride in residing here.

New Community Police Model for North Lanarkshire

Strathclyde Police can rightful be proud of the detection rate of reported crime and incidents of anti-social behaviour in this area. Even so, there is always room for improvement; to this end, a new model of Community Policing is being rolled out across North Lanarkshire in 2009.

With a renewed emphasis on enforcement, the new model for community police is expected to deliver meaningful and lasting change in the community. As part of the new system of policing designated Community Police Teams will be allocated to geographical areas. Forgewood falls within the boundary of Motherwell West it is therefore to the Motherwell West team who we look to deliver the improvements in service delivery that the Police tell us we can expect under the new system of policing in the area.

We hope to post regular updates and contributions from the Motherwell West Community Police Team on this site. Meantime, we shall do our utmost to ensure the site is update to include any issues of note.

Safer Scotland - Safer Streets

Knife crime, vandalism and drinking in public places are all in the sights of Scotland's police forces as part of a major new campaign.

Safer Scotland - Safer Streets sees the country's eight police forces and the British Transport Police target the crimes that cause the public the most concern.

From Monday 11 October until Friday 3 December 2004, officers from every force will be co-ordinating their efforts to deal with the issues that blight our communities the most.

The national campaign - the sixth Safer Scotland to be undertaken by the Scottish Police Service - sees a vast range of police activity in every local community in the country.

Knife crime, vandalism and drinking in public places are diverse problems that affect both rural and urban areas to differing degrees. The eight police forces and British Transport Police will take these three categories of crime and apply them to the issues that affect their communities the most. It is expected that this local, focussed approach will make a real difference to police in local areas and the communities that they serve.

Working in partnership with other public and private sector and voluntary agencies, Safer Streets will adopt an intelligence-led approach to tackling these crimes. The vast experience in the Scottish Police Service will be used, not just to reduce these problems but also to provide support to those affected by them.

Chief Inspector Donnie MacLeod of Strathclyde Police said: "Making our communities safer for everyone is at the heart of policing. All our research has told us that fear of street crime is at the forefront of people's minds. There is no doubt that the three areas we are tackling cause maximum concern in our communities and have a detrimental effect on the quality of life for many people.

"This campaign gives local commanders the opportunity to look at what is causing them most concern and concentrate their efforts on tackling those crimes.

"We are dedicated to working in our communities to eradicate such crimes and make our streets safer."

Crimestop Leaflet

Crimestoppers Website

Strathclyde Police is giving residents in North Lanarkshire the green light to cut crime in their community through the Crimestop leaflet.

Thousands of the leaflets pictured aside are dropping through letterboxes in the targeted area, as well as being available in libraries, doctors' surgeries and dentists.

The scheme, which is a joint venture with North Lanarkshire Council, allows people to report crime safely and anonymously, by either filling in the leaflet, which can then be returned by freepost, or calling the confidential Crimestoppers line free of charge on:

0800 555 111

The initiative hopes to bring piece of mind to local residents who may be aware of criminal activity in their area, but feel powerless to act, mainly through fear of reprisals or because they worry that they won't be believed.

The leaflet is specifically designed to allow details of crime to be recorded, without requesting personal information from the person who is reporting the problem. There are no logos or tell tale signs of what the leaflet may contain once the tear off slip is removed and the leaflet sealed, meaning it can easily be posted without anyone knowing its contents or its destination - it doesn't even need a stamp.

The free phone Crimestoppers number is also displayed on the leaflet, allowing crime to be reported in confidence 24 hours a day.

The information provided by communities to Strathclyde Police is vital in the fight against crime. If the police aren't aware of what's going on, they can't do anything about it. This scheme is giving the public the chance to provide the missing piece in the puzzle and look forward to a safer and better community. Inspector Derek Brown of Community Safety at Motherwell Police Office said: "Members of our communities possess valuable information on those who are involved in all types of crime, crime which impacts on everybody's quality Many people are frightened of the repercussions of giving such information to the police. "Crimestoppers and the Crimestop leaflet overcome this, as anonymity is guaranteed. If you have information please use this leaflet or call Crimestoppers. Help us to make your community safer." The First Minister Jack McConnell added: "Crimestoppers is a first class initiative. It improves confidence in the local community, and helps tackle crime." "I would urge local people, who have genuine concerns, to use this very important service."