Winchester Community Safety Partnership launches its Christmas anti-crime campaign
Winchester Community Safety Partnership (WCSP) will be working together to tackle crime and improve the feelings of safety in the Winchester District this Christmas.
The festive season provides an opportunity for some offenders to increase their criminal activity. The type of offences that increase during this period can include:
- Purse and shop theft
- Vehicle crime
- Burglaries
- Alcohol related violence
WCSP are hoping to undertake a number of initiatives to ensure that Winchester remains a safe and enjoyable destination to shop or venture out at night during the festive period. This will include:
- Christmas Shopping Beat Surgeries - The team will be offering advice to shoppers about keeping their valuables safe. They will also be handing out Lanyards to make your purse or wallet more secure. The Lanyards can be attached to purses or wallets or can even be attached to a belt or handbag to help prevent thefts and pick pockets.
- ‘Lights on’ campaign – Leaflets and timers for controlling individual property lights will be given out to individuals within communities to help remind people about the risks of leaving houses in darkness when they are not home.
- Vehicle crime – crime prevention advice will be handed out to shoppers in some of the city car parks. Look out for the Community Safety Partnership vulnerable vehicle display unit which will be used by the partnership to promote the risks of leaving valuables in their cars.
- High visibility patrols during the day – additional patrols will be undertaken in local shopping areas by partnership patrolling officers.
- Christmas Party Survival guide - The Christmas Party Survival guide produced by Winchester BID which provides top tips for a safe and sensible Christmas party, will be distributed widely.
- High visibility patrols during the evening - high visibility patrols in Winchester City around pubs and clubs will be undertaken by partnership patrolling officers. In addition Winchester Street Pastors will be carrying out their normal patrols on Friday and Saturday nights.
- DES (designated driver) Campaign – To raise awareness about the campaign, soft drinks will be available for free in some licensed premises for designated drivers. Key rings and posters will also be used highlight the campaign.
- Robust Licensing activity – Licensing Teams and the Police will be increasing visits to premesis, to ensure terms are being met, and increasing test purchasing operations to ensure the responsible sale of alcohol.
Cllr John Cooper, Winchester City Council's Portfolio Holder for Communities, Safety and Public Health, said: “As the Community Safety Partnership Chairman, I welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the police, Hampshire County Council and other officers on what I consider to be a very important campaign. The CSP has had a number of successes over the last few years so we want to build on those and develop other more innovative ways of engaging with those participating in the festivities”.
For further details on the activities that will be undertaken as part of the Partnership’s Christmas Campaign please contact the Community Safety Team at communitysafety@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848 423