Safer seasons campaign

• West Sussex Safer Seasons
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter
  

West Sussex Safer Seasons

The WSCC Community Safety Unit works to reduce crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime. The West Sussex Strategic Community Safety Partnership brings together district and borough crime reduction partnerships to provide a co-ordinated approach to reducing crime in the county.

The West Sussex ‘Safer Seasons’ campaign highlights seasonal trends in crime. It provides practical advice on reducing crime and your chances of becoming a victim.

Please go straight to the autumn section for information about how Community Safety Partnerships are keeping you safe this autumn.

You can also download and print copies of Halloween and Bonfire literature that is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime at this time of year.

Our web pages are full of advice on how to stay safe, where to go if you encounter problems and general information on what the Community Safety Unit do.

In an emergency, you should always dial 999. An emergency is:

• when a crime is happening;
• when someone suspected of a crime is nearby; or
• when someone is injured, being threatened, or in danger.

If you need to report a crime that is not an emergency, you should call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you have any further questions about our 'Safer Seasons' campaign, please contact:

Greg Ockwell, Partnership Support Officer on 01243 382613.

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Spring

Cleaner and Safer

Spring offers the opportunity for communities across West Sussex to get together to tidy up their neighbourhoods. Many people see litter as an indication that an area is neglected, which can lead to further related anti-social behaviour.

West Sussex County Council work closely with organisations such as ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ to tackle the issue of litter pro-actively. It is widely recognised that local residents can prove to be the most powerful and sustainable solution to this problem. By engaging in tidy ups in your area, we all have the potential to create cleaner and safer neighbourhoods.

To see what’s going on in your district, or to get involved, join the ‘The Big Tidy’ – Britain’s biggest ever clean up.

Easter holidays – signposting young people

To discover what activities (such as Football in the Community) are going on in your district over the Easter Holiday period, visit our ‘Yourspace’ site. Here, you will also find voluntary organisations that work with young people in a variety of different ways. Alternatively take a look at our partnership page for links to your local council.

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Summer

Arson aware

Arson is a particularly destructive crime which impacts on both the individual victim and on society as a whole. It is the largest single cause of major fires in the UK and at its worst, leads to loss of life and significant financial damage. Arson not only has financial implications for householders, businesses and schools but the physical damage which results from this crime can have an extremely negative affect on the life and well being of communities.

WSCC works closely with the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as well as other partners to reduce incidents of arson and its impact.

Here are some practical solutions that are having a big impact on the reduction of arson in West Sussex:

• District and boroughs remove all household waste at an appointed time, and strive to keep neighbourhoods clean by emptying street bins and dealing with incidents of fly tipping swiftly.
• Securing of void properties. Registered Social Landlords own the majority of ex-council housing stock in West Sussex. There can sometimes be a high turn over of occupancy in these neighbourhoods, as void properties are either refurbished or await suitable tenants. Securing these properties at an early stage reduces the opportunity for criminal damage or arson.
• Rapid recovery of abandoned vehicles. Most abandoned vehicles that are reported are recovered within 24 hours.

To report an abandoned vehicle, click onto the Operation Crackdown website.

Safer parks, green spaces and beaches

Cleaner, safer, greener communities are attractive, well-designed, well-used and well-cared for streets, squares, parks and green spaces that foster a pride of place and improve everyone's quality of life. West Sussex enjoys large areas of beautiful natural countryside, long clean beaches and open spaces where nature provides areas for recreation and leisure. This can often be spoilt by anti social behaviour, litter, fly tipping and other related crime or activities.

WSCC is committed to maintaining, enhancing and improving its natural and built environment, to provide safer spaces where members of every aspect of our communities can enjoy and feel safe.

The quality of open spaces can contribute positively to the well-being of a community and create surroundings where communities thrive, and crime and anti social behaviour are not tolerated or accepted.

Summer holidays – signposting young people

The school holidays present all young people with the opportunity to get involved in sporting, leisure or voluntary activities in their districts. To find out what may be going on in your district, take a look at WSCC ‘Yourspace’ website. Alternatively take a look at our partnership page for links to your local council
partnership page.

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Autumn

Action Against Bullying - A new school term

The new school term starts in September. This can be an exciting time for many, gearing up for the academic year, but several young people fear this could mean being bullied at or around their school.

 'Action Against Bullying' is a multi-agency and multi-divisional countywide strategic partnership formed in 1999 in response to concerns in West Sussex around bullying. In four of the seven district/boroughs, young people cited bullying as a safety issue for them. This strategic vision recognises that bullying is a community issue that extends beyond schools and seeks schools, communities, children and young people to challenge bullying.

Your child may not tell you directly that they are being bullied, but may display symptoms such as anxiety or may not want to go to school. If this is the case, or your child is behaving out of character and you suspect they are being bullied, then you should attempt to talk to them about it.

To report bullying or to find out more about what WSCC are doing to tackle this issue, click onto the Action Against Bullying page.

Reducing student crime – universities

Students are, statistically, one of the most likely groups to fall victim to crime. Read our simple tips and stay safe.

Students sometimes own more expensive consumer goods per head than the rest of the population. It is no surprise then that 1 in 3 students becomes the victim of a crime each year. Young people (aged 16 to 24 years old) are around three times more likely to be victims of burglary than people in other age groups, which makes students more vulnerable. Other types of crime most affecting students include mugging and vehicle- related crime.

Top safety tips for students:

• Many burglaries happen when a door or window has been left open - in a private home or flat, lock up whenever you go out.
• In a hall of residence, be careful who you let in or who follows you into the building - lock your bedroom door even if you are only going down the corridor.
• Robbers are after an easy target so walk in groups at night, travel by taxi or stay over with friends.
• If possible, use cash-machines during the day - put your card and cash away and be vigilant - never write down your PIN.
• Keep cards and cheque books separately - note down your card details so you can cancel them quickly.
• Always lock your car and put valuables out of sight - never leave the keys in the ignition even when paying for petrol.
• To prevent spiking, don't leave drinks unattended.
• Be vigilant when using your mobile phone - if your phone is stolen, call your network or 08701 123 123 to immobilise it.
• Protect yourself with insurance - keep lists of the make, model and serial numbers of your electronic items to help police track them down if they are stolen.
• Mark your property with the initials of your university (e.g. NU - Nottingham University) and your student ID number - this makes it harder for a burglar to sell stolen goods and can help the police to return items to you.

The British Council provides guidance for international students on staying safe when staying in the UK.

Halloween and firework celebrations

This time of year can see a rise in anti-social behaviour relating to noise, nuisance and fire related incidents. Fireworks are enjoyed responsibly by thousands of people up and down the country every year. Unfortunately, a small minority of people use fireworks irresponsibly and cause serious nuisance within their local communities.

To tackle this, WSCC works closely with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, districts, the Police and other organisations.

This important work includes work with shops around selling fireworks or other material used at Halloween. Police, wardens, youth workers and the Fire and Rescue Service will be deployed on key evenings over the period to educate, engage with people and deter anti-social behaviour.

You may see posters and other forms of literature up in school or your youth club. These are designed to reduce the risk to you and your friends around Halloween and bonfire night.

If you see a ‘No Trick or Treat’ poster on a door, please respect the residents wishes and don’t knock at the property.

PDF versions of all literature relating to Partnership Halloween and Bonfire operations can be downloaded from supporting documents:

Supporting documents

• Fireworks A3 poster  (PDF, 1 pages, 380KB)
• Fireworks A5 safety tips (PDF, 2 pages, 1.1MB)
• Trick or Treat A3 poster (PDF, 1 page, 288KB)
• No Trick or Treat A5 Flyer - 2 up on A4 (PDF, 2 pages, 611KB)
• Retailer A4 poster (PDF, 1 page, 228KB)

Please download and print as many copies as you would like. This will enhance the multi-agency activity going on around the County that is tackling anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and the fear of crime at this time of year.

Enjoy the Halloween and Bonfire period safely and responsibly.

Beat the bogus callers

‘Distraction burglars’, or bogus callers, will distract you in order to get into your home to steal your money or belongings. If anyone you don’t know turns up at your door, you should always ask to see their identification before letting them in.

Follow these tips below and keep yourself safe:

Staying safe at home tips

Lock: Make sure your door is locked when you’re at home and don’t unlock it until you’re sure who is on the other side.

Stop: If someone appears at your door, and you’re not expecting any visitors, check that all the doors are locked. Look through the spy-hole or the window to see who it is.

Chain: If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking.
(Normally, when the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off, in case you need to get out in an emergency.)

Check: Ask for, and double check, their identity card. And if you’re still not sure, ask for a number you can ring to confirm their identity. If they can’t show you any identification, don’t let them in.

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Winter

Safer driving

The British weather can often be hard to predict, so it’s worth while taking precautionary measures before you set out. These basic points will ensure a safer journey, and reduce the risk at a time of year when driving conditions can be hazardous:

• Use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres.
• In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads. This is because your tyres have less grip on the road. You should keep well back from the vehicle in front. This will increase your ability to see and plan ahead. If the steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means that water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
• The rain and spray from vehicles may make it difficult to see and be seen.

Icy and snowy weather

In winter check the local weather forecast for warnings of icy or snowy weather. Do not drive in these conditions unless your journey is essential. If it is, take great care and allow more time for your journey. Take an emergency kit of de-icer and ice scraper, torch, warm clothing and boots, first aid kit, jump leads and a shovel, together with a warm drink and emergency food in case you get stuck or your vehicle breaks down.

Before you set off:

• Check your car is in good condition and ensure you have enough petrol to complete your journey.
• Clear all snow and ice from all your windows
• Ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible.
• Make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly.
• Check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted.

When driving in icy or snowy weather:

• Drive with care, even if the roads have been treated.
• Keep well back from the road user in front as stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.
• Be prepared for the road conditions to change over relatively short distances.

Drive extremely carefully when the roads are icy. Avoid sudden actions as these could cause loss of control.

Before winter, ensure that the battery is well maintained and that there are appropriate anti-freeze agents in your radiator and windscreen bottle.

Our Road Safety page offers more information and guidance on staying safe on the road.

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