main content Safer Bromley Partnership hosts Government Minister’s visit

Bromley played host to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for crime reduction on 30 January. Vernon Coaker MP was shown a number of initiatives where members of the Safer Bromley Partnership worked together to cut crime and make Bromley safer.

During his visit, the Minister heard about the way in which the borough’s successful Safer Neighbourhood Panels listen to local people’s concerns and how Partnership members work closely together to solve problems of crime and antisocial behaviour.

The Minister, accompanied by Partnership Chairman Cllr Colin Bloom, visited Bromley Police Station, the community flat at Broomleigh Housing’s Hackington Estate in Beckenham and Victim Support in Penge.

The visit was in response to a letter from Cllr Bloom to the Home Secretary inviting a representative to ‘see for themselves’ the achievements of the Safer Bromley Partnership. At the same time, he raised concerns about budgetary constraints which could impact on the work of the Partnership.

In a letter following the visit, Cllr Bloom said: “We are proud of our ability to engineer and deliver creative and cost effective interventions to tackle crime here in Bromley, as evidenced by our success in reducing violence within the night time economy through the Safe and Sound scheme. We welcome opportunities to tackle further areas where current resource restrictions leave us vulnerable.”

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Notes to editors:

• Picture shows (left to right): Vernon Coaker MP, Cllr Colin Bloom, Cora Green from Victim Support and Geoff Wright, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator with the Safer Bromley Van. 
• 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. 
• There are 22 Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams and Panels, each representing a ward, a Community Engagement Forum with the Chairs represented and a Local Strategic Partnership involving the Police, the Council and other key local organisations. 
• The Hackington Crescent Estate in Beckenham established its community flat as part of the solution to antisocial behaviour in the area. Along with increased Police patrols and street briefings, Broomleigh Housing staff identified the need for greater involvement with tenants to find longer term solutions. Initial funding from the Partnership’s Neighbourhood Development Grant was used to set up the community flat, the cornerstone of a longer term strategy for engaging community members and residents in a more enduring programme of improvement. 
• Bromley Victim Support helps victims of crime and domestic violence. Supported by the Safer Bromley Partnership they run the Safer Bromley Van. This service has been used to make homes safer by introducing a variety of security measures and upgrades carried out by a qualified carpenter. These are free to those who qualify. The service has made a real difference to more than 2000 homes in the borough and has been extended by tying up with the fire brigade to cover home fire safety checks. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications Officer, on 020 8461 7911 or email susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk