Community safety update September 2009

Partnership supports residents' preferred option

Following a consultation with local residents over the summer, the Partnership is supporting the Heatherside community's preference for a new Village Green area with skatepark. The new family-focused facilities will be developed on Heatherside Recreation Ground, subject to planning permission being obtained, and will include an upgrading of the existing children's playground.

Just over 2,000 Heatherside residents returned a survey indicating their preferred option out of a proposed four (with the fourth being to do nothing). Almost 80 per cent of respondents said they preferred to see something being developed rather than nothing. The most popular choice, with around a quarter of respondents expressing a preference for it, was for a Village Green area with skateboarding facilities.

The next stage in the process will begin with a follow-up meeting at Heather Ridge Infant School on 21 October starting at 6pm. The survey results will be presented then residents will share their views about the new space during workshops facilitated by Partnership officers. For the full survey results, visit Heatherside consultation page.

Getting connected on town centre crime

A new security initiative to reduce crime and fear of crime in Camberley town centre will be launched tomorrow (1 October). The Camberley Together Against Crime (CTAC) radio scheme has been developed by the Camberley Town Centre Partnership with funding from the Partnership.

CTAC incorporates a radio network which members (including retailers and licensed premises) will use to communicate with each other in real time when an offence has been committed. The network links directly with Surrey Police and its CCTV control room in Woking. Also, if an offender with a previous conviction enters a member's premises they can alert other members to their presence.

Pupils get creative for domestic abuse campaign

A group of Year 10 pupils from Tomlinscote School, Frimley, recently rose to the challenge to design a domestic abuse awareness poster.The Partnership launched the pilot poster competition with Surrey Women's Aid to encourage young people throughout Surrey Heath to become aware of, and want to prevent, domestic abuse.The hard-hitting winning design, by Frimley resident Emily Rawson (now of Year 11), has been printed (see left) and will be launched to mark the start of Surrey Domestic Abuse Awareness Week 2009 (19-23 October). Vouchers prizes have been awarded to Emily, and the two runners-up, worth £150, £100 and £50. Partners who would like copies, or a PDF, of the poster can email nicola.collinson@surreyheath.gov.uk.

More news

• Making Camberley town centre safer
• Postcard reminder to lock out burglars
• Safe driving scheme wins seal of approval
• Drugs Week helps keep streets clean