Derwentside Rural Crime Initiative Page

Mission Statement:

‘The Derwentside Rural Crime Initiative will work in partnership to harness the strengths of local people to develop an environment where economic, social, and cultural aspects of rural life can flourish’

Aim:
The aim of the project is to reduce crime and the fear of crime in communities throughout Derwentside. This will be achieved by breaking down barriers between young and old and by providing access to the decision making process for excluded groups. In particular, the project will work in identified areas of need i.e. areas with high recorded crime levels, isolated communities where crime impacts upon the quality of life.

In the words of the jargon, we are committed to help! What this means is that we will help you in any way we can to reduce crime, making our communities safer places to live, by letting you know what we know , how we are helping and inviting you to share.

We think that only by working together are we likely to make some difference, any difference.

Watch out for our messages on the village forum. Check in on this webpage and our website occasionally. We will add our webpage link here soon. Please help us to help you.

Bogus Caller Training

After a series of successful trials throughout Derwentside since the New Year, Our Bogus Caller Training is now being rolled out throughout the district.

The purpose of the training is to raise awareness of Bogus Callers/ Distraction Burglary in a user friendly way, that is suitable for all ages.

The session lasts about 1 hour, and covers explanations about the crime, and common sense approaches to lessening the likelihood of occurence.

Any group requiring details contact:

Duncan Barnett

Derwentside Rural Crime Initiative

C.S.E.A.

2-5 The Bye

The Grove

Consett

DH8 8AJ

01207 586990

A Warning to Residents

A warning to residents: Be aware of bogus traders operating throughout Derwentside.

In recent cases, vulnerable residents have paid for incomplete, poor quality gardening work, repairs or building to be carried out, often resulting in overcharging well over the usual rates for such work.

We urge people not to deal with unexpected unknown ‘cold’ callers. If you are in any doubt, get a second opinion or quote from a reputable trader who will be only too happy to see you.

These bogus traders demand payment in cash only, often before work is complete or not even started. They are only after your money and once they have it, they will not return. They are often well organised, moving from district to district, preying on the vulnerable, then moving on.
If you have any doubts about a tradesman coming to your door contact Trading Standards on 0191 383 3589

Duncan Barnett
Derwentside Rural Crime Initiative

D.R.C.I. Release 'BOGUS' DVD

Bogus Caller DVD

Residents throughout Derwentside have raised concerns about Distraction Burglary or Bogus Callers, as it is often known. Entry is gained into the home by using false identity and convincing the victim that their reason for entry is legitimate. It was decided that information needed to be distributed to potential victims, in particular the vulnerable, to lessen the impact of this crime upon the residents of Derwentside.

Derwentside Rural Crime Initiative workers are trained on doorstep crime by Durham County Council Trading Standards, and are qualified to deliver formal training and information provision to community groups on the subject. However, the visual aids produced to support this training are limited, and not applicable to all age groups within Derwentside.

To this end a DVD has been produced with the aid of volunteers from community groups & voluntary bodies. This will be used to provide training to community groups regarding Bogus callers and promoting use of safety equipment and the importance of establishing legitimacy of callers, including steps to take if unsure.

The DVD will also be used in the training of facilitators to deliver training throughout the district.

Predicted Usage

The DVD will be presented to a minimum of 1 community group per month. This will include residents associations, ward partnerships, Alzheimer’s and Age Concern groups, and young peoples groups. Each group will have approximately 10-15 participants, all of whom will receive relevant supporting literature, designed to help commit what they have learnt to long term memory

Off Road Motorcycle Project

Off Road Motorcycle Project

The Derwentside Rural Crime Initiative, together with Consett Churches
Detatched Youth Project, are leading a multi agency task group working to
address the problems associated with young people and off road motorbikes
throughout the District. To this end, we are attempting to utilise an
existing off road track, which is currently being used on an 'ad hoc' basis.
The track is badly in need of maintenance, and work is necessary to bring
the track surface up to the standard required for safe usage.
The provision we hope to offer, we hope will alleviate current problems
within the district, whist providing a useful resource that will train young
people in safe, responsible motorcycle use, whilst providing a hitherto
unavailable activity to young people who come, in some cases, from areas of
high social depravation, reducing intergenerational conflict and removing a
possible inroad into crime.
The project is not just for teens, but also for the whole community, as we
will be providing junior provision, to encourage family participation.

The community are taking a great deal of interest in this project, many
having volunteered to undertake training which is necessary for those hoping
to assist in the future running of this facility.
Our project is also looking to local business to sponsor this activity,
which will be high profile, already attracting interest from regional news
media, as this is not just a local problem.
This project, whilst being very time consuming, could potentially impact
into all wards of the district, and play a major part in reducing illegal
vehicle usage by young people, whilst providing a safe venue for activities
& engagement.

A Warning to Residents

Created on 26/09/2007 01:34 PM by dshields
Updated on 02/06/2008 02:17 PM by dbarnett