A housing trust has worn an award after using property marking products to reduce burglary and metal theft from an estate in Surrey….
Elmbridge Housing Trust launched the ‘Safe Estate’ project earlier this year at St Johns estate in Walton on Thames and has received a best practice commendation from the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG).
The St John’s estate is a mix of low-rise flats and terraced houses managed by Elmbridge. Metal theft and burglary have been problems on the estate, including theft of lead from the roof of the community centre, copper piping gone missing from communal areas, and electrical items and power tools taken in domestic and shed break-ins.
The trust teamed up with partner agencies including local neighbourhood policing teams to help tackle theft by delivering more than 250 SelectaDNA property marking kits to residents on the estate. The kits are used to mark items of value with a unique DNA code to deter crime and help identify the rightful owners if the marked items are stolen and later recovered. Elmbridge Neighbourhood Sergeant Charlotte Chambers said: “The home marking kits were well received by residents who were very positive about the scheme which also included using SelectaDNA Grease to mark lead and metal sites around the St Johns estate.”
The grease is a forensic substance which instantly transfers onto a thief’s hands and clothing, linking them to the crime scene. Sgt Chambers added: “Metal theft stopped overnight when we introduced SelectaDNA Grease to the estate. Burglars were aware we were putting something in place but they didn’t know which parts of the estate we were covering, which has had the effect of putting them off completely.”
Other initiatives included in the Safe Estate scheme were The Big Tidy which culminated in about 50 tonnes of unwanted items being removed from gardens and communal areas; and a community mediation meeting on St Johns with known perpetrators, their parents and the Youth Justice Service to reduce community tensions. Sharon Mackley, Operations Manager, SLCNG said: “By recognising the achievements of individuals, groups and projects that have made a real and sustained difference to an individual or a community during 2010-11, the awards help raise performance across the sector. The 2011 awards have attracted more entries than ever before and the standard has been very high. The judges had a difficult job in reaching their decision.”
Jane Bolton, Managing Director, Elmbridge Housing Trust added: “We are delighted to have been commended for the Safe Estate project which has run on St Johns for much of this year. We had a great response from residents and also from our partner agencies with each of the activities. This award recognises the hard work which has been carried out across the Trust over the last year and the further improvement of our services.”
