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Anti-metal theft project scoops top prize in national crime fighting award
A crime-fighting project has won top spot in the national Tilley Awards ceremony after delivering a 90 per cent drop in incidents of metal theft.
Operation Fragment was set up by Avon and Somerset Police to tackle a spate of metal thefts at schools, churches and community buildings. After analysing reported crime figures officers identified potentially vulnerable sites and scrap dealers that might be used to dispose of stolen metals.
Working with local councils and metal dealers police launched a series of crime reduction campaigns including presentations to church wardens and school staff on how to improve security. Test sales were carried out on metal dealers and intelligence led checks were made on suspicious vehicles. The operation led to a drop in thefts and an increase in arrests.
The Tilley Awards were set up 11 years ago to recognise innovative crime fighting projects where police and local community safety agencies are successfully working together to identify and tackle local crime problems. This year's awards saw more than 130 entries.
Operation Fragment fought off competition from 11 other finalists to take the first prize with the two runners up named as Lancashire Police's Engage Team, which tackles the issue of missing and sexually exploited children and the Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell, said:
"Overall crime has fallen by 36 per cent since 1997 but only by working together can we continue to develop new ways of tackling the crimes that matter most to the public and that is why the Tilley Awards are important.
"The quality of entries continues to improve and this year's winner is a worthy one. By working in partnership with local authorities and local businesses to adopt a genuine problem solving approach Operation Fragment made a real impact on the crime of metal theft.
"Both the Engage Team and Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership have made a real impact on two devastating issues by reducing the number of children reported as missing from home by 24 per cent and by providing additional support to thousands of domestic violence victims."
The winner and runners up were announced on the final day of the UK Problem Oriented Partnership Conference which took place today in Bolton. Last year's winners, the Be Safe Bolton Strategic Partnership, also attended to give a presentation on their achievements over the last 12 months.
The top three projects will now be sent to the American version of the UK POP conference in November where they can share best practice with American police forces and community safety groups.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Tilley Award is named after Professor Nick Tilley who recently retired from Nottingham Trent University. He has carried out considerable work in the UK, often commissioned by the Home Office, to develop problem-oriented policing. The awards are funded by the Home Office to encourage and spread best practice in crime fighting approaches across England and Wales. Regional winners each receive a certificate and tickets to the UK POP Conference.
2. The full list of finalists is below:
a. East - The Taverham Massive
b. East Midlands - Corby Jam
c. London - Tout and You're Out
d. North East - Operation Equinox
e. North West - The Engage team
f. South East - Charlton Athletice Social Inclusion Programme
g. South West - Operation Fragment
h. Wales - Traffic Light System
i. West Midlands - Glebe Farm
j. Yorkshire and the Humber - Sports Lincs
k. Violence Against Women - Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership
l. Rest of the UK - KJET.
3. For details of each finalist go to www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/tilley/tilleyawards2009.htm
4. For more information about the winning project and two runners or to speak to a project spokesman ring the Home Office Press Office on 020 7035 3535.
205/2009
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk
