main content Partnership steps up action

Members of the Safer Bromley Partnership, including Bromley Council and the Police, are working even harder this Christmas to make sure that residents and visitors feel secure as they shop and celebrate.

The Safe and Sound initiative launched by the Partnership this week draws together a range of actions to help tackle some of the concerns raised by local people and businesses.

Research highlighted the main issues as:

• People shouting and being rowdy at night; 
• litter and rubbish thrown on the street; 
• groups of people ‘hanging around’; and 
• graffiti.

Activities to help counter concerns are test purchasing in pubs and clubs to curb under-age drinkers, police sniffer dogs on patrol at railway stations, and random drugs checks. Street Pastors involves local churches working with the Council and police to provide trained people to walk the streets at night, talking to and helping anyone potentially at risk. Street-cleaning during the evening will do much to ease concerns about litter. Together, these and other ideas all aim to create a safer and cleaner Bromley.

Cllr. Neil Reddin, Bromley Council's Executive Councillor for Community Safety and Leisure and Chair of the Safer Bromley Partnership, said: “We know from similar action in other towns and cities that this kind of joint focus helps to reduce crime.

“People feel safer when they can see a visible official presence in the area. We can achieve this by coordinating the efforts of the Council, Police and voluntary agencies like the Street Pastors.

“We want people to enjoy coming to Bromley town centre and our Safe and Sound initiative sends out a powerful message to potential wrong-doers that we simply won’t stand for anti-social behaviour in Bromley.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Safer Bromley Partnership is committed to continuously improving safety in Bromley. We want a borough where people can live, work, play and learn safely. Our members include Bromley Council, Bromley Police, Health, Probation, Fire and London Ambulance Services, the Metropolitan Police Authority and Broomleigh Housing Association.
   
• For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications Officer, on 020 8461 7911, or email susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk