Policing Team Homes in on Cray Meadows
Every street in Bexley's largest ward, Cray Meadows, is to be targeted by
the local Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team as they put into practice their
new and highly successful Home Briefing policy.
It was in July last year that the team conducted a trial, visiting 11 addresses
in Maidstone Road. Since that time they have been quietly working through various
streets in the area.
Going from door to door and talking to residents, officers explain the work
of the Safer Neighbourhoods team and what it is doing in the community. They
listen to people's worries and check to see if householders need crime prevention
advice or assistance from any of the other agencies linked into the scheme.
Police Sergeant Carsten Stokvis, who heads the Cray Meadows Safer Neighbourhoods
Policing Team, says: "To date we have visited homes in 15 roads and we plan
to continue this success by working through two roads every month with the goal
of eventually visiting every road in the ward.
"Importantly, we are able to spend time with people in their homes where
they feel more comfortable and able to discuss freely any issues they may have.
It allows a degree of confidentiality and a conversation without interruption."
Cllr Katie Perrior, Cabinet Member for Community Affairs says: "This has
been a great achievement and a worthwhile commitment by the team. It is a great
example of how a safer neighbourhoods policing team can work with other local
agencies for the benefit of the community."
The Home Briefing concept has been developed to a point where the team also
provides information packs on a number of topics covered by their partners in
Age Concern. Victim Support, Mind in Bexley, the London Fire Brigade, the Pension
Service, the Bobby Van and Neighbourhood Watch.
For information on how to contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Policing
Team go to the website of Bexley Community Safety Partnership, www.bexley.gov.uk/communitysafety.
Choose Bexley Police from the left hand menu for the telephone numbers of your
local teams.
