Past Crime Initatives
2007
Safer Kingston Partnership - Reducing Crime Together - Have your say....
The Safer Kingston Partnership, of which Kingston Council is only one statutory partner, aims to ensure that the Royal Borough of Kingston of Thames continues to be the safest London Borough in which to live, work or visit.
The Partnership is currently developing its new Crime, Disorder and Substance Misuse Reduction Strategy to take effect from April 2008 onwards.
To help us work out priorities for the new Strategy, we would like your views on crime, disorder (including anti-social behaviour and other behaviour adversely affecting the local environment) and substance misuse in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
London Week of Peace - 9 to 16 September 2007
The week will profile and promote community safety and peace initiatives, offering Londoners the opportunity to participate and engage in a dialogue on a range of issues, whilst being able to contribute to a more cohesive society
The mayor and representatives from local faith communities are to hold a Candlelight Vigil in the Market Place, Kingston at 7pm on Tuesday 11 September in the Marketplace to mark the start of the local participation in the wider London Week for Peace.
The Kingston Candlelight vigil will also mark the start of a range of activities as part of Kingston’s contribution to a movement for peace that is now in its fourth year. Other activities planned for Peace week include Sacred Space: Peace, an art and spirituality exhibition coordinated by local Churches, Eden People, Oxygen and the Kingston YMCA which will be opened by the Mayor following at the end of the Candlelight Vigil. The exhibition at All Saints Church, which is opposite John Lewis, will include works of art by local adults and children together with interactive stations for opportunities to respond and reflect on personal and global reactions to issues of peace, reconciliation and freedom. It runs from the evening of the 11 September to Sunday 16 and will be open daily from 10am until 4pm.
Later in the week in the Borders bookshop at 7.30pm on Thursday 13 September, Canon Andrew White, the so called Vicar of Baghdad will be giving a talk on peace from his experiences working in the Middle East. CANCELLED
Everyone is welcome to attend and participate at whatever level they choose, please see below for website links and further information.
There will be talks in schools around the theme of peace by the Police Safer Neighbourhoods during the week too.
Men's Health Week: June 11 -17 2007 is Men's Health Week.
Research has shown that 1 in 6 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Men who experience abuse from their partners may feel angry, ashamed, depressed, humiliated, helpless, isolated and frightened. The Kingston Domestic Violence Forum has produced a fact sheet for male victims of domestic violence with details of how to get advice and support. This can be downloaded from Domestic Violence Resources page.
Domestic Violence Pay and Display Campaign - April 2007:
The Safer Kingston Partnership have funded a campaign to promote awareness of domestic violence services in the borough by using advertising space on the back of parking tickets. The advert, which was designed by the Domestic Violence Forum, contains a simple message and details of where to go for help. Some 750 000 tickets will be dispensed in various off street parking sites across the borough over the coming months proving an effective way to reach a large number of people. The small size of the ticket will enable victims to conceal it without arousing suspicion so they have immediate access to important numbers.
Kingston is the Safest London Borough - April 2007
Metropolitan Police Figures have been released, Kingston has the lowest crime out of the Metropolitan Boroughs in London. See Crime Figures on the Metropolitan Police Website
2006
White Ribbon Campaign 2006: 16 days of activism
25 November is the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 10 December marks International Human Rights Day. The intervening 16 days is being used around the world by women’s groups to publicise issues relating to violence against women and is known as the 16 days of activism.
The White Ribbon Campaign is an educational organization working to end men’s violence against women. Each year they urge men and boys to wear a ribbon for one week starting on the 25 November and pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about, violence against women. (for more information go to their website, linked at the end of this page)
This year RBK in partnership with the Community Safety Unit will be supporting the White Ribbon Campaign and publicising information about domestic violence services in the borough. Ribbons will be available to purchase at Guildhall receptions, Market House, Kingston Library and in the police station amongst other venues. All donations received will be given to Kingston refuges who provide emergency accommodation for women fleeing domestic violence and the Domestic Violence One Stop Shop.
Although a high percentage of domestic violence involves men being violent to women, women can also be perpetrators and it occurs in lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender relationships as well as between family members.
London Week of Peace 10-17 September 2006
The Kingston Carnival on the 3 September heralds a week of events for the London Week of Peace, with contributions from Kingston Police, the Inter-Faith Forum, Kingston Racial Equality Council and other voluntary groups. Throughout the weeks events there will be Open Days, of which there will be a Police Open in which Selecta DNA property marking is going to launched. There will be open days at the Churches, Synagogue & Mosque. There will also be a Community Safety Stall at Kingston College and Community Safety advice given to the new intake of International Students at Kingston University.
For more information visit: the Peace Alliance website, linked at the end of this page, where the weeks events have been published.
2005
Crime falls in Kingston April 21 2005
2004/2005 figures received from the MPA (Metropolitan Police Authority) show that crime is down by 3.8%. Kingston has the 2nd lowest crime rate in Greater London. Reaffirming that Kingston is one of the safest boroughs within London.
April 2005- Strategy 2005-2008 Released
The Strategy can be viewed in the Crime Strategy Section
April 2005 Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention
Operation Road Runner
A Poster and leaflet campaign that has been used within the borough to remind people to secure their vehicles and belongings when out in the borough. (Motor Vehicle Safety)
March 2005-Response from the Audit
We received a high number of responses from the residents of Kingston,over 1000 views were recorded. Thankyou to all of you that responded all views helped us in the completion of the Crime Reduction Strategy.
The Crime Audit can still be viewed in Crime Statistics Section.
2002
New CCTV camera gets straight to work
It took just twelve hours before the first two arrests were made following the activation of a new CCTV camera in Surbiton.
The camera at Surbiton railway station is the latest camera to be activated as part of the borough wide CCTV system, monitored 24 hours a day from Kingston Council’s Control Centre at the Guildhall.
Within 12 hours of the camera going live and relaying pictures to the Control Centre in Kingston, the police were able to make two arrests for assault and criminal damage.
Chief Inspector Paul Dowell, said :
“The CCTV system plays an important role in keeping crime down and making Kingston one of the safest boroughs in London. There are excellent links between the Royal Borough of Kingston’s CCTV control room and the police which enables us to react effectively when criminal activity is spotted.”
Martin Lazell, CCTV Project Manager, added :
“The new camera adds to the existing system which has proved to be hugely successful elsewhere in the borough. Our CCTV system continues to help deter criminals, and the police to gather evidence to support prosecutions when offences do occur.
A fourth camera is due to be installed in Surbiton. Currently a location is under negotiation with the owner of a building. This camera will complete the current phase of the CCTV scheme in Surbiton.”
2001
Commissioner to meet Kingston residents
The Metropolitan Commissioner of Police, Sir John Stevens QPM, will attend the next meeting of the Kingston Community & Police Consultative Group in Kingston Guildhall on Monday 15th January 2001 (7.30pm).
The man who succeeded Sir Paul Condon as Commissioner in January 2000 has answered calls from the Kingston Consultative Group to come to the Royal Borough to speak about key policing issues, including: Metropolitan and local police staffing levels Local police resources and how resources are allocated throughout London How the local police service can be made more ‘user-friendly’ The problem of graffiti - can Kingston learn from initiatives elsewhere?
Residents and the local business community are invited to attend the meeting to hear what the capital’s top police officer has to say about the future of policing in Kingston and to submit a written question for him to answer.
Anti Graffiti Strategy Meeting
A public meeting at Kingston Guildhall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 29th November will give residents the opportunity to discuss details of the Anti Graffiti Strategy currently being developed in the Royal Borough.
In August 2000 an all-party ‘Task & Finish Study Group’ began looking at developing an Anti Graffiti Strategy for the Royal Borough under three broad headings ; Education and prevention; Enforcement of the law against perpetrators; Graffiti treatment and removal.
As part of the development process the Study Group consulted widely to collate evidence from a range of individuals and organisations. The public meeting set for the 29th November will provide presentations on the three main themes and the opportunity for residents to ask questions and give their views. In particular it is hoped that the meeting will provide the opportunity to establish how links with local educational establishments can best be furthered to successfully deliver the Strategy.
If you would like to attend the public meeting and/or be sent a copy of the draft Anti-Graffiti Strategy please contact: Marion Todd, Community Safety Officer, on 020 8547 5039 or e-mail Marion.Todd@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Security Scheme for Burglary Victims
Kingston's Community Safety Partnership Group has introduced a new initiative to provide support and improved security for victims of burglary. This scheme is an important part of Kingston's Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy which aims to reduce burglary by 2% by 31 March 2001.
The security scheme will allow council tenants who have been victims of burglary to receive a security survey of their home and security improvement works. The aim of the scheme is to prevent and deter burglaries. Under the scheme Kingston Housing Services will be notified by the Police as soon as one of their tenants is the victim of a reported burglary so that a security survey of the property can be undertaken straight away.
The security survey will be undertaken by Gerda Security Products, a specialist company in the field of domestic security with whom the Council has formed a partnering agreement. The company will identify improvement works required to achieve BS 8220, the British Standard for the design of domestic security.
While the Council will only be able to offer security improvements to council tenants, the benefits of the scheme will be available to other residents including council leaseholders, Housing Association residents and people living in their own homes in the private sector. The Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor will be able to refer these residents to Gerda who will offer the same quality and cost of service as negotiated by the Council
Commenting on the innovation, Chief Inspector Paul Dowell, says : "Good security is very important in making people feel safe - we are delighted to be able to work so closely with RBK and Gerda Security in providing a system which we think will improve security across the Borough. All the security systems are to a British Standard and standards will be checked regularly by the local Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor. And what is particularly pleasing is that this is also available to those who own their property."
The Security Scheme provides a quick and uncomplicated process to have a professional company on site to carry out the necessary security improvements with the minimum of delay after the Council has been notified of a reported burglary. The benefits to the Council tenants will be: A quick and practical response to a burglary at a time of anxiety for the tenant. Assured security of personnel visiting a property . All Gerda staff carrying out Security Scheme surveys and works will be vetted by Kingston Police and will carry photograph identity cards. Good professional advice available quickly and free of charge. The security survey will undertaken to a recognised best practice standard. Prompt implementation of survey recommendations. The Security Scheme aims to help burglary victims practically by minimising any delays before security improvements are in place. Authoritative quality monitoring. The Kingston Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor will be involved in the Scheme by helping Kingston Council establish standards for the partnering arrangement with Gerda and sample monitoring the quality of the surveys and works.
Kingston's Head of Housing Services, Mike England comments: "Providing a safe and secure home and environment is one of the Housing Service's strategic objectives. I am pleased to be able to offer Kingston residents the opportunity to make their homes more secure and I hope the scheme will help to reduce the incidence of burglary in the borough".
It is intended that the Scheme will also be employed to help other vulnerable tenants. Any Council tenant who believes they have a particular need of better home security can apply to their local Estate Manager.