Added: 13/05/2008

Category: Safer Neighbourhood Team

The community in Brandon has chosen priorities for the Safer Neighbourhood Team to tackle, at a special community engagement event.

Held at the sports centre on Saturday 19th April, the aim of the event was to invite members of the local community to identify for themselves the issues that negatively impact upon their quality of life, and in particular any hotspots for anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Mildenhall Kim Warner chaired the meeting, and explained the ethos behind Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the need for the public to actively participate by identifying problems and deciding which should have priority.

Inspector Warner says, “Bearing in mind that this is the first event of this type to be held in Forest Heath, the level of participation and discussion was really encouraging. I want to extend a big thank you to those residents that attended and participated by honestly expressing their views.

“I am keen to see this process grow into a regular event, at which local people will feel confident that they can choose for themselves the priorities for the Brandon Safer Neighbourhood Team and our partner agencies to focus on.”

At the meeting the following priorities were voted upon and adopted –

·Anti-social behaviour of youths congregating in the laundry during evenings
·Criminal damage and vandalism in the Market Place and High Street area towards Brandon railway station

Insp Warner continues, “When we re-convene we will report back with what action has been taken and the results of this. We will invite the public to decide whether the existing priorities should be dropped in favour of more current issues, or whether we should continue with planned positive action. In the long term, the police and our partners plan for these meetings to be held on a quarterly basis, and aim for attendance to steadily grow.

“What is really positive is that after the formal session, members of the public then have the opportunity to speak with our partner agencies and get specific advice or help where appropriate.”

The event was supported by Brandon Town Council, Forest Heath District Council, the Police Authority, the Fire Service, Brandon Neighbourhood Watch and King’s Forest Housing.