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• January
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• Stamping Out Crime

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Teams of dedicated professionals from organisations across Knowsley have recently worked together to stamp out crime and disorder on one of the borough’s estates.

Northwood in Kirkby was the focus of a Model Beat initiative, organised by the Knowsley Partnership, designed to wipe out crime, anti social behaviour, under age drinking, graffiti and vehicle offences.

The exercise aimed to reduce crime at all levels and improve the feel of the area, making residents feel more secure, safer, and with a lower fear of crime.

The high profile initiative was a result of joint working by partners including Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, The Fire Service, and Knowsley Housing Trust. While the Model Beat initiative focused exclusively on Northwood for just one week, it is part of an ongoing campaign in the whole borough to develop long term solutions to tackle problems of crime and disorder.

Cllr Margaret Flaherty, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion, said: “Throughout the week there was a high profile presence from agencies including the police and our community wardens. They will be looking at all aspects of crime, from anti-social behaviour through to car crime.”

Mark Wiggins, Inspector for Kirkby added “We hope that the Model Beat will show residents that something can be done about the problems that can blight everyday life by improving community relations and demonstrating the positive impact we can have on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour by working with our partner agencies.”

The week concludes with a Community Day encouraging closer neighbourhood relations with all the agencies involved in the Model Beat. This takes place in a marquee on fields opposite the Quarry Green Shops in Northwood, on Saturday, January 28, from 10am to 2pm. There will be plenty of fun for all ages, including face painting for children and representatives from the Police, Fire Service and Community Wardens. Representatives from The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will also be on hand to offer advice on keeping homes and vehicles safe from theft.

Any residents with information about crime or disorder in their area can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at anytime by calling 0800 555 111. The call is FREE and you won’t be asked for your name.

To find out more about the work that is going on within your community to lower crime, log on to www.theknowsleypartnership.org.uk, or www.merseyside.police.uk. Free internet access is available at all Knowsley’s libraries.

PHOTO: Police carry out random vehicle checks as part of the Model Beat crime crackdown in Northwood, Kirkby.

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