Among our latest exports to the former Soviet Union is the Crimestoppers idea and British community policing.
In Ukraine, the authorities have drawn heavily on UK methods and publicity material (pictured) for their own Crimestoppers telephone number. The British Ambassador Roland Smith launched the scheme in January, which includes trolley buses painted in national colours and featuring the confidential crime line ?phone number.
West Midlands Police Insp Martin Wright visited the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv to advise on policing. Insp Wright, the Wolverhampton local authority liaison officer, has since asked UK copyright protection groups to make links with this Crimestoppers initiative to combat illegal copying of music, videos, and computer software. As for the safety of business people in Ukraine, Insp Wright says: ?I have been out on patrol in full uniform [in Kharkiv, pronounced Harkiv] and I didn?t feel at all uncomfortable.? (This is seconded by consultants Control Risks Group, who report that despite horror stories about organised crime, the main problem for short-stay foreigners – such as business people who use business hotels and private cars – is petty crime.)
As part of this initiative – funded by the UK Foreign Office, managed by the British Council, and researched by Adrian Beck, a security management lecturer at the Scarman Centre, University of Leicester – target hardening has been trialled. For instance, steel doors were installed at access points into tenement blocks. Block tenants subscribed to employ elderly residents to sit by the main door and vet visitors – leading to more contacts between residents, reduced vandalism, drug misuse and burglary in the blocks, and less fear of crime. You can e-mail Insp Wright: [email protected].
Crimestoppers is an important tool, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens told Radio 4?s Today programme on February 7, because up to 86 per cent of people on some London and Manchester estates will not testify in court against violent offenders.
Crimestoppers has gone on The Bill – no, not the long-running ITV police series, but the shopping bill at the Safeway store in Lichfield, Staffs. Details of the 0800 555 111 phone line have been advertised on the back of shoppers? receipts.
Calcot Park Golf Club in Reading is the setting for the annual Thames Valley Crimestopprs charity golf day on May 24. Organiser is regional board vice-chairman Rodney Huggins. For details ring him on 0118 969 3096 or e-mail [email protected].
