New multi-agency group targets crime in Chesterfield

A new multi-agency group to target crime and anti-social behaviour in the St Augustine's area of Chesterfield is already proving successful.

The South St Augustine's Action Group (SStAAG) has brought together police, Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership, Derbyshire County Council Education Welfare Officers, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and Chesterfield Borough Council housing staff.

It has been set up to make joint working on projects in the area simple to plan and deliver and to make sure regular meetings take place at which they can share information and intelligence about the area.

Residents were visited by members of the Community Safety Partnership, housing and police in January to ask what issues they felt needed dealing with and to provide them with information about the group and its plans.

The issues about which residents have raised concerns together with crime figures, calls for service for the area and information from members of the SStAAG are being used to determine what work is done.

This led to a three day operation to tackle acquisitive crime, such as theft and burglary, which saw several arrests and a drop in recorded crimes of over 70 per cent.

The group will also conduct truancy patrols followed by home visits and has had training in licensing laws which they will put into practice with regular spot checks on pubs and other licensed premises.

The area's Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Paul Carrington said: "We received a warm welcome and people seem very appreciative of what we are doing. We will be reporting back on a regular basis to keep residents up to date with what we have achieved."

Last year Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership established a similar multi-agency group to target Barrow Hill which resulted in a fall in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents and a thorough clean-up of the area.

Chesterfield Community Safety Officer Joe Tomlinson said: "Each organisation involved in the new group was already carrying out work in the South St Augustine's area, but by coming together we can add extra strength and value to that work.

"Everyone involved feels that we can have a significant impact on the types of issues reported in the area by working in partnership and meeting on a regular basis to share intelligence and resources."