Working towards safer communities
Residents across the Winchester District are set to benefit from a new full time Community Safety Analyst.
Lorraine Ireland, who is based at Winchester City Council’s offices, will be working closely with partnership members such as the police and fire service to identify crime ‘hot spots’. Focusing on research into specific kinds of crimes, Lorraine will recommend where partner resources should be best placed in order to reduce crime & disorder across the district.
The new role has been introduced as part of the overall expansion of the Community Safety Partnership which is required to meet Government targets in order to compete for resources and funding.
Lorraine has lived in Hampshire since 1993 and previously worked as an Intelligence Researcher & Analyst for Fareham and Gosport District Council, and Hampshire Police. Her role involved producing Fareham and Gosport District Council’s first annual strategic assessment, which identified priorities for the district’s Community Safety Plan, a report highlighted by Government
Talking about her new role and what she would be bringing to it, Lorraine said:
“My experience has enabled me to understand community safety issues faced by councils and partners. By identifying and addressing the issues of most concern to the community, and introducing the most effective ways to target those issues, the Community Safety Partnership can ensure a better quality of life for residents and visitors to Winchester.
I am currently working with the fire service on an exciting joint project aimed at reducing serious road traffic accidents by providing a profile on road traffic collisions. I am also currently working alongside Winchester Accident and Emergency Department in a bid to tackle alcohol related violent offences”.
Cllr John Cooper, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and Safety, hopes that the new role will help the partnership to secure funding and support from the Government:
“Our district has relatively low levels of anti-social behaviour and crime but, in order for this to remain low, the City Council is continuing to work in partnership with other agencies to make anti social behaviour and crime reduction a high priority.
If we are to continue delivering on our priorities, we need to ensure that we are well placed to receive funding and support from the Government. To do this we need to demonstrate an efficient and focused use of resources, which is what this new role will help us to achieve.”