CRIME PREVENTION PANEL

What are Crime Prevention Panels? Crime Prevention Panel members are a team of volunteers (local residents) who want to work with the Police and partners to tackle local issues. They want to make a difference by supporting vulnerable members of the community, assisting victims of crime and raising the awareness of crime prevention hints and tips to prevent the residents becoming victims of crime. Many members are existing NHW Co-ordinators, local business people as well as members of the public who have a genuine interest in making a difference in their community. Each individual brings along their own skill set and areas of expertise to the panel.

How Do Individuals Join A Panel? Individuals who are interested in joining or setting up a new panel MUST undergo the necessary security vetting clearance and renew this as and when required. Panel members may have access to information relating to vulnerable people, victims of crime etc and it is important to ensure individuals who may come into contact with this information are suitable. Where a panel already exists in a particular area new members will be invited along to meet the team and start the recruitment process. Where a panel does not already exist – A meeting will be held with interested residents to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Panel, look at and agree the Constitution, appoint the officers, discuss setting up the required bank account etc and agree a way forward.

What Do Panels Do? To name a few roles, Panel members can be involved in: Being a visible presence at community and engagement events. Distribution of leaflets and resources. Property mark items with UV marker pens i.e. bikes, scooters, electronic devices. Encourage members of the public to mark household and gardening equipment. Sell crime prevention products i.e. UV marker pens, credit card sleeves, light switch timers, anti theft stickers etc. Provide basic crime prevention advice to occupiers and various community groups. Attend meetings with the Police and/or other agencies – being a ‘voice’ for the residents. Feeding information back to other panel members and residents. Support door to door enquiries with the Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Support campaigns and initiatives on a local and force-wide basis. Share intelligence and/or raise issues around safeguarding. Conduct Community Speed Watch initiatives where the areas are suitable. Offer services of partner agencies i.e. Connect Gwent, Trading Standards, Victim Support etc. Promote the good work of the panel. Actively recruit for new panel members.

Location of Panels: Current Panels currently operating in the Gwent Police force area : Blaenau Gwent Tredegar and Ebbw Vale Abertillery and Brynmawr Caerphilly Bargoed and District Blackwood and Risca Caerphilly and District Torfaen Monmouthshire Magor & Undy

Membership of the Panels The Panel consists of: A Chairman A Vice Chairman A Secretary – To support the group in Admin functions A Treasurer A Publicity Officer A Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer (CADRO) – To take minutes of the meetings and to work closely with the Panel for deployments Panel members need to be 18+.

Identification Cards Upon successful completion of vetting security checks members are issued with an Identification Card. Members MUST carry and present a valid identification card whilst engaging in panel activities. Members MUST NOT misuse the ID Card e.g. to obtain discounts or make any suggestion of having been granted Police powers. Should members change; name, physical appearance and a new card be required please contact Leeanne Husselbee. If a card becomes lost or stolen this needs to be reported immediately.

Funding Each panel can apply annually for £1,000 funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This is subject to a projected 12 month delivery plan and submission of an audit of the accounts.

Support Panel members can be trained to receive a basic level of Crime Prevention. Gwent Police are looking to have a joined up approach and incorporate Community Speed Watch (CSW), Police Cadets, Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) and other community groups.

Support Continued Access to the Community Messaging System ‘Gwent Now’ can be granted and training will be delivered by Gwent Police to ensure that it is used effectively and within the required laws. The Panels will be supported by the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams in relation to local crime and demand in those areas and using recognised problem solving processes to look at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. Awareness/training sessions will be delivered to all members of the Panel.

We will do what we can to help……….. Support Although each panel is standalone there is a process through Partners Against Crime (PAC) were the panels sit to discuss best practice and provide support to each other. The Intervention & Prevention Department at Gwent Police HQ will provide support to the Panels, which will include: - Supporting existing panels and the creation of new panels. - We hold quarterly meetings with the Chairpersons. - We share details about campaigns and initiatives. - We will utilise Volunteering Wales to advertise for new panel members https://www.volunteering-wales.net/landing/ as well as other opportunities. We will be recording the number of hours that panel members contribute. This will generate certificates and could be useful to those people undertaking public services qualifications etc. We can arrange for speakers of various subjects to attend meetings. We will do what we can to help………..

Please contact Leeanne Husselbee at: Any Questions? Please contact Leeanne Husselbee at: Leeanne.Husselbee@Gwent.Pnn.Police.Uk