Antrim DPP has the responsibility of working with the community, and supporting the local police to help reduce crime throughout the Antrim Borough.
Antrim DPP was concerned about the rise in fatalities and accidents on local roads between April 2006 and March 2007. Therefore the DPP developed a partnership with the PSNI to bring a Road Safe Road Show to Antrim targeting young drivers between 17 and 21 years of age.
On 8th February 2008 over 600 local young people participated in two road shows held at Antrim Grammar School.
DPP Members who attended the Road Show
Other initiatives that the DPP is currently supporting are called BIZ PROTECT, NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH and FORECOURT WATCH
BIZ PROTECT
This is a pioneering and innovative programme that aims to support local businesses to protect themselves from criminals and crime. Using the latest technology via e-mail alerts and mobile phone texts the PSNI can warn participating businesses of current criminal gangs and criminal activity, in real time as soon as the PSNI has the information. Information can be tailored for each specific business sector to meet their specific needs. Antrim DPP is working in partnership with the PSNI, Antrim Borough Community Safety Partnership, and Antrim Borough Council.
This initiative is currently being successfully piloted at Junction One in Antrim, and is already proving very effective. It is planned that the Antrim DPP will support the partners to roll this programme out to businesses in the rest of the Borough as soon as possible.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Antrim DPP, in partnership with the PSNI and Antrim Borough Community Safety Partnership (ABCSP) have supported the creation of Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Crumlin, Randalstown and Antrim and are keen to support the creation of more in other areas of the Borough.
Neighbourhood Watch is a community led programme which enables communities to work together to support and actively protect themselves from crime, supported by the PSNI, DPP and ABCSP. The DPP would encourage anyone interested in developing Neighbourhood Watch schemes in their community, whether it be for one street up to a community of approximately 50 houses, to contact the Antrim DPP Manager to discuss this further.
FORECOURT WATCH
Antrim DPP, in partnership with the PSNI is supporting a new initiative in Antrim to help reduce the growing instances of criminals purchasing fuel and driving off without paying. This is a crime called bilking. The initiative involves signage, which clearly reminds customers at participating garages that it is an offence to drive off without paying for fuel and that such criminals will be prosecuted. The initiative was launched in September 2007.
For further information on these initiatives or any of the work of the Antrim DPP please contact the DPP Manager on 02894463113 or e-mail: DPP@antrim.gov.uk