To the Rutland Community Safety Partnership's website. Rutland is one of the safest places to live in the country and the Rutland Community Safety Partnership is committed to ensuring that the residents of Rutland continue to live safe lives.

A new website has just been launched www.askthe.police.uk . The website is a database full of answers to a wide selection of nationally asked questions such as what is a police caution? Is there a legal age for a babysitter? And can I get banned for speeding?

The Police National Legal Database (PNLD) is managed by the Association of Chief Police Officers but is under the day to day control of West Yorkshire Police. It is a non profit-making organisation with the intention of reducing the number of non-emergency calls to police forces by providing the answers direct to the public via the internet.

Burglaries in Rutland are down by 24% since last year’s figures for April 2008- January 2009, however people are still being urged to be vigilant, with a special day planned to advise people about how to prevent burglary.

As part of the national ‘Keep Crime Down’ campaign, to raise awareness of how to prevent burglary Rutland’s Community Safety Partnership have planned a ‘Day of Action’ on Tuesday 7 April.

The Police Beat Bus will be out and about in Rutland throughout the day to help promote the ‘Keep Crime Down’ message, with information about how to prevent crime in the home and other useful tips and advice for residents.

To mark the day of action, we will also be adding some helpful hints and tips to the website. Most of the steps suggested are common sense and do not cost much, but they can make a real difference. Basics like shutting windows and locking doors even when you are only gone for a minute, or keeping your eye on your bag can be all that it takes to prevent crime. Not securing your home, car and belongings just is not worth the hassle.

‘Keep Crime Down’ is a home office ran national campaign. For more hints and tips go to our crime reduction advice page Crime reduction advice page.

The Safer Rutland Spring 2009 edition is now available.

See how we with your help have reduced burglary in Rutland.

Come and meet our new LPU Commander.

Although nationally burglaries are increasing, there is good news for Rutland, which has seen a decrease in burglary compared to last years figures.

The Community Safety Partnership would like to thank residents for helping to significantly reduce burglaries by acting upon advice issued, however around a quarter of burglaries still take place in insecure properties.

The current figures for April 2008 to January 2009 show that burglaries are down by a quarter (24%) compared to last years figures.

Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Barrie Roper said: 'This is great news for Rutland and it is clear that the message to secure properties is starting to get through. However, I would urge everyone to think about the security of their home and act on the advice provided by the Partnership. Together we have managed to reduce burglaries in the County by a significant amount, I am sure that this figure can improve further and look forward to working with the community and our partners to ensure that this happens.'


Inspector Johnny Monks, Commander of Rutland Local Policing Unit, said; ‘It is wonderful to see a 24% reduction in burglaries across Rutland and know that we are bucking the national trend. I hope we can reduce that figure even further by targeting known offenders and encouraging people to make their property as secure as possible to deter the opportunist thief who will take advantage of an open window or door.’

Further tips and advice can be found at the 3 minute check list on the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/secureyourhome or locally on this website.

If residents want further advice, please contact the Community Safety Partnership on 01572 722 577 or email communitysafety@rutland.gov.uk

Rutland Community Safety Partnership has launched 'A Liver is for life' campaign. Read more under Respect Rutland!

The Safer Rutland Autumn/ Winter 2008 Newsletter has now been published.

Read on about how you can beat the burglar this winter.

Tips on how not to be afraid of the dark.

Read how the Partnership are ensuring that the night time economy and going out at night will be even safer in Rutland with the imminent start up of Pubwatch.

Learn how you can help us by working together to identify community concerns.

If you would prefer a hard copy of the newsletter or a copy in a larger print, please email communitysafety@rutland.gov.uk

The Rutland Community Safety Partnership are marking Domestic Violence awareness week with a hard hitting message that ‘Alcohol is no excuse for domestic abuse!’ during the festive season and beyond. A staggering 28% of all domestic violence offences in Rutland were committed when the offender is under the influence of alcohol. This is 4% below the national average.

Fact: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Everyone has the right to live free from fear and harm.

Fact: Domestic violence has more repeat victims than any other crime – there will be an average of 35 assaults before a victim calls the police.

In the UK people like a drink over Christmas and levels of alcohol intake increase by 41% during the festivities. Studies have shown that the likelihood and severity of domestic violence increases with higher levels of alcohol.

Through this campaign, the Community Safety Partnership are building awareness of the link between the social behaviour of drinking and how quickly it can lead to violence in the streets and at home. Know your limits, drink sensibly and keep your family safe from harm. Do not become a statistic over Christmas. The Partnership urges offenders to consider their behaviour and stop using alcohol as an excuse for physically and verbally threatening behaviour.

From another point of view, many victims turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism and to relieve the stress of waiting for the next attack.

Help is at hand if you want information on what is a safe level of alcohol and hints on how to cut down. If you are a victim of domestic violence and see no way out, there are many organisations and help lines that are anonymous and free to use.

Posters will be displayed in the coming weeks with information on accessing help. There is also a domestic violence leaflet available from the Community Safety Team 01572 722 577 or email communitysafety@rutland.gov.uk The leaflet can also be downloaded from our website.

Thanks to the Safe Spooking campaign by the Community Safety Partnership, Halloween was a trouble free event.

One of the busiest weekends flew by trouble free thanks to the combined resources of the Community Safety Team and the Police. Halloween this year fell on a Friday night, which is traditionally busy plus it was half term. Compared with this time last year incidents reported to the Police decreased by one third. Uppingham and Oakham town centres as well as the outlying villages were visited and no incidents were reported within the town centres.

This year’s key message was to ‘Have fun, but stay safe’. The Partnership along with the Rutland Youth Service and Leicestershire Police issued ‘Respect Rutland’ bags filled with information for young people in the area about how to stay safe and act responsibly during the festive period. Leaflets included information on safe drinking, how to avoid your drink being spiked and a drinks unit calculator.

Neighbourhood Sgt Chris Wharton said:

‘As Neighbourhood Sgt for Rutland it was pleasing to see Halloween again enjoyed by many youths with just a handful of minor incidents being reported and more pleasingly no offences being committed.

This successful campaign has again highlighted the excellent Partnership approach and its value in ensuring youths enjoy the occasion and people stay safe and respect property.’

Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Barrie Roper said: ‘This year’s campaign has proved to be really successful. I think it was popular with the young people and managed to raise a lot of awareness about the effects of anti social behaviour. This was evident in the lack of anti social behaviour encountered over the busy Halloween period.’

The campaign also hit home to parents. One parent who saw the bags commented: ‘I was really impressed with the local police on Halloween. I am always a bit worried when the big kids go out these days as I have one at 14. I was very surprised when he came in with a bag full of goodies and newsletters and leaflets from the community safety team. It made a very big impact on my son and I would say that the rest of the kids were the same. Whoever thought of this idea needs thanking as you have made a very big move towards getting the local teenagers on side.’

There was only one anti social behaviour problem reported all weekend, and this was dealt with immediately due to the extra resources out and about that night.

Bonfire night and Halloween have long since been associated with parties and family fun but for some people who have not chosen to join in the celebrations and games, it can be a night to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.

The Rutland Community Safety Partnership urges everyone to HAVE FUN, BUT STAY SAFE. A small minority of people will use fireworks irresponsibly and cause nuisance to the local community. We want to remind young people about the dangers of fireworks and bonfires and to provide reassurance to members of the public who may feel intimidated or distressed by anti social behaviour.

Anti social behaviour is committed when fireworks are let off late at night or when deliberate physical harm or threat of harm is caused to others often leading to injuries or damage. The impact can be that people live in fear and often animals are harmed and distressed at the noises fireworks create.

You are committing an offence if:

* You are under 18 and are found in possession of an adult firework in a public place.

* You breach the fireworks curfew. The curfew on the use of fireworks exists between 11pm and 7am usually with the exception on various events. On Bonfire Night the curfew will begin at midnight.

* If you throw or set off fireworks in a public place. Police have the power to stop and search and you could face a £5,000 fine or 6 months in jail.

The Police has produced a leaflet containing advice on how to stay safe and within the law on Bonfire Night. Copies are available from your local policing unit or can be downloaded from the website at www.leics.police.uk by clicking on the Bonfire Night icon.

Domestic burglaries and theft increase by 5% in the month of November as people take less care of their homes and security. The noise of fireworks and bonfires masks the noise of a window breaking.

A quarter of all domestic burglaries in November are committed by opportunists who see people out in their garden or with neighbours having fun. So remember to keep your windows and doors locked, close your curtains, leave a light on in the house or the radio/ T.V. switched on.

Anyone with any information or concerns regarding fireworks misuse should contact the police on Leicester (0116) 222 2222.

Please have a fun time by celebrating Bonfire Night safely and within the law.

Rutland Community Safety Partnership are launching a campaign this Halloween and Bonfire Night to help keep the community safe. The Partnership is encouraging everyone to help make Halloween as trouble free as possible.

Halloween has long since been associated with parties and family fun but for some people who have not chosen to join in the celebrations and games, it can be a night to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.

The key message is to HAVE FUN, BUT STAY SAFE. The Partnership along with the Rutland Youth Service and Leicestershire Police will be giving information to young people about how to stay safe and act responsibly during the festive period. The safety of trick or treaters is something that is not often highlighted. BE SAFE and BE SEEN. By following these few simple messages both parents and trick or treaters will remain safe:

• Agree with parents where you can go and where you will go
• Set a time for your return
• Be safe and be seen. Do not dress in just dark clothing but make sure you can be visible by other people and more importantly by vehicle drivers
• Never go into a strangers house, even if you are invited
• Respect a house that displays ‘No trick or treat’ signs
• Do not trick strangers. How would you feel if it was your parents or grandparents that were tricked and they were frightened and felt in danger?

Special posters, asking trick or treaters not to knock on their door have been given out to residents who do not want to be disturbed during Halloween. The A4 size posters ask those taking part in Halloween night not to knock on the door with the message ‘Trick or Treaters, No Thanks!'. The posters are available from Oakham Police Station or can be downloaded from the website at www.leics.police.uk and click on the Halloween icon. The elderly and vulnerable people can be easily intimidated by youngsters calling. It may be fun for you, but think how your grandparents would feel if they were tricked by young people they do not know.

If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour during this period, do not answer your door. Ask the trick or treaters to go away. If they do not go away, then do not hesitate to contact your local police station on 0116 222 2222. If it is urgent and you feel you are in danger, then call 999.

During the weekend of 31 October-1 November three partnership teams, including youth workers, the police and the community safety team will be speaking to young people in Oakham, Uppingham and the surrounding villages regarding anti social behaviour and underage drinking.

They will be giving out ‘Respect Rutland’ bags containing information on health and safety and laws relating to alcohol, information about anti social behaviour and sweets for Halloween.

Names of those caught underage drinking or committing anti social behaviour will be taken and their parents will be informed.

Schools have been sent information by Leicestershire Police to read out in assemblies to inform pupils about the consequences and dangers associated with anti social behaviour and underage drinking.

It is hoped that the campaign will help to reduce incidents of anti social behaviour and underage drinking, by informing young people of the consequences of their actions and offering guidance, help and support.

To report any incidents of anti-social behaviour call Leicestershire Constabulary on (0116) 222 2222.

Is there an eyesore in your area that you would like to see cleaned up? Maybe there is a church hall or community venue in need or decorating? Maybe you are a member of a charity in need of volunteers? If so the Community Payback scheme may be able to help.

The National Probation Service, a co-opting agency of the Rutland Community Safety Partnership, has launched ‘Community Payback’ whereby communities have the opportunity to influence the type of work offenders carry out in their neighbourhoods. The aim is to make the unpaid work offenders perform more representative of the community’s needs.

Unpaid work is 1 of 12 requirements in the Community Order introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and has previously been known as Community Service. The difference is that communities now have a direct say in the work they perform. Public protection is at the heart of the National Probation Service and the safety of the community will not be jeopardised. On the contrary Rutland can only benefit from the enhancement of our community facilities.

Projects undertaken by Community Payback involve activities that would not normally be carried out and can benefit local schools, faith groups, churches, charities and community organisations and partnerships. These projects range from graffiti removal, street clean-ups, ground clearance, recycling projects, building maintenance and landscaping, improvements to parks and community facilities, environmental preservation and general gardening projects, painting and decorating of community centres and meeting places and the making and repairing of goods for sale in charity shops.

Projects in the Leicestershire and Rutland area have included providing new facilities for a disabled club for Asian gardeners, constructed an allotment site for the Gurunanak disabled gardners’ group and creating a sensory garden in Leicester’s Knighton Park.

There are rules that govern the acceptance of nominated projects by the community. Community Payback schemes can only accept work that would normally be undertaken by voluntary labour, therefore jobs can not be accepted that take work away from commercial businesses. The work must provide a service to the community. Toilet access must be provided, as well as water and electricity where applicable.

If you would like to nominate a project under the Community Payback scheme please telephone The Community Safety Team on 01572 722 577 or email communitysafety@rutland.gov.uk

Welcome to the first edition of the Safer Rutland Newsletter produced by the Rutland Community Safety Partnership. The Partnership has realised, that whilst a lot of work is carried out behind the scences, local people may not be aware of what it is doing and what is happening to tackle issues close to the hearts of local people.

The Rutland Community Safety Partnership hopes this newsletter will explain who we are and highlight the work going on. It wants to reassure you that the Partnership is working hard to ensure that Rutland remains a safe community in which to live and work.

We welcome your comments about the newsletter and what you would like to read.

If you are interested in the work the Rutland Community Safety Partnership are doing, register with our online mailing service and receive up-to-date newsletters on work being undertaken ini your local area. It's simple! just send an email to communitysafety@rutland.gov.uk using 'Newsletter' in the subject and we will do the rest.

An electronic copy of Safer Rutland Issue 1 can be found at the bottom of this page.

The aim of this website is to give members of the local community and practitioners the ability to access information about the work of the Partnership more easily. There are sections outlining the work of the Partnership, its Partners, crime prevention advice etc.

The Partnership can be contacted through the Community Safety Officer who works for Rutland County Council. In addition if you have any questions about this site - please contact the Community Safety Team on:

Telephone Number: 01572 722 577
Email Address: communitysafety@rutland.gov.uk

If you would like more information on support services for victims of domestic violence please see Domestic Violence Essential Directory