Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Projects (SNAPs)

Transforming the CDRP’s approach to neighbourhood-based operations

Damian Dallimore – Salford Community Safety Unit

Beat Sweeps (2005-08)• Beat Sweeps ran in Salford for over three years• Led by GMFRS• Week of action• Partnership approach• Defined geographical area (usually sub-ward)• Made significant contribution to reductions in ASB• Desire from CDRP to build upon this model• Focus on sustainability beyond initial week of action

What Did Beat Sweeps Look Like?• Started from a position of arson reduction• Partnership defined by forward-thinking services – not

always based on demand / intelligence• Action plans not always clearly defined• Publicity was limited• Residents not always aware of Beat Sweep – minimal

consultation• Additional costs incurred by the involvement of some

services

Transforming Beat Sweeps• CDRP asked for a rethink of Beat Sweeps• Cover an entire ward• Broader set of outcomes beyond just crime / arson

reduction• Better buy in from partners• Intelligence-led• Improved engagement with residents• No additional costs wherever possible• Sustain the positive outcomes beyond the initial week

of action

Aims and Objectives• Reduction in crime• Reduction in ASB• Reduction in arson (NI 33)• Improve public perception of ASB (NI 17)• Build upon existing partnership working in

neighbourhoods

Branding• The term ‘Beat Sweep’ is ambiguous• Synonymous with enforcement activity• Promote prevention and intervention approaches• Focus on sustainability• Changed the name to ‘Sustainable Neighbourhood

Action Projects’ or ‘SNAPs’

Priority areas• Working at a ward level• Analysis of areas of need, focusing on:

– Levels of recorded crime;– Levels of recorded ASB;– High Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score;– Low scores in public satisfaction surveys.

Targeted areas• To date the following wards have been targeted:

– Winton– Broughton– Langworthy– Ordsall– Little Hulton– Irwell Riverside– Walkden North– Weaste & Seedley– Swinton North– Boothstown & Ellenbrook

Planning cycle• Initial planning meeting eight weeks prior to operation• Partnership focuses on following themes:

– Crime and disorder.– Anti-social behaviour (including arson).– Children & young people.– Drugs and alcohol.– Environmental improvement.– Community cohesion and sustainability.

• There is a lead officer for each theme, tasked with developing a SMART multi-agency delivery plan

Engagement Strategy• Leaflets delivered to every property before and after

each SNAP• Local press opportunities• Website – including SNAP blog• Engagement with children & young people• Posters• Community meetings & residents’ groups• Residents encouraged to get involved

Results (after 8 SNAPs)• 90 arrests for a variety of offences.• 36 vehicles seized for no tax or insurance.• 34 drugs warrants executed of which 28 resulted in arrests for

drugs offences. • Several cannabis farms have been identified including two with a

street value of over £20,000 and one with a street value of £11,500.

• 185 tonnes of bulky waste - including refrigerators, settees and other household goods - have been collected and disposed of free of charge.

• Graffiti removed from approximately 460 sites.

Results (cont.)• 143 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for a range of offences including

dog fouling, littering and driving offences.• Fire and rescue service has conducted over 1750 home fire risk

assessments in the homes of vulnerable people, giving out free smoke alarms and offering fire safety advice.

• Over 650 young people have participated in some form of statutory or voluntary youth provision, many of whom doing so for the first time.

• Twelve new alley gate schemes have been introduced, with many more existing schemes repaired or improved as a result of an inspection.