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Teams offer a bus-load of information
COMMUNITY teams from Gainsborough took to the streets on an impressive set of wheels last week to offer information and advice to residents.
Lincolnshire Police, ACIS Housing, Age Concern, Addaction, Neighbourhood Watch and the Gainsborough Lions were among the groups that got involved in Not In My Neighbourhood Week.
As part of the initiative, representatives from various agencies toured in a red double decker bus, inviting residents on board in order to engage with them and bring attention to their services.
Hannah Charnock, of the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, said the week had involved efforts from many groups working together.
“Not In My Neighbourhood Week is a Home Office initiative that we’ve been working on closely with Lincolnshire Police and other agencies,” she said.
“We’ve been around different villages speaking to local residents, promoting the excellent work the many agencies have been doing to prevent anti-social behaviour and crime.”
“It really has been one of the best cross-agencies things we’ve ever done.”
Policing teams from across the town all took turns riding the double decker and getting in touch with local residents in several areas, including the town centre and the Frances Olive Anderson Primary School in Lea.
Pc Rebeka Oakley, of the Lea and South West policing team, said the bus was the team’s own idea as it stands out and attracts attention.
“We’ve had people come up and say how it takes them back to their youth,” she said. “It’s put the teams in touch with the public.”
“The week’s been brilliant and the turn-out has been great. We’re impressed with the number of teenagers and parents coming aboard from our area.”
Police have been handing residents engagement cards asking them what measures they would like to see introduced, while No Cold Calling Zones were set up in places like the Grove and Windturn Court.
For mum Lorraine Young, of Church Drive, Lea, the campaign has given her a chance to get to know local officers.
“We met the local PCSOs for Lea and were told we could phone them at any time if we’ve got any issues,” she said.
“It means we know their faces, and if we have a problem, we can just call them.”
Not content without ending on a dramatic note, the agencies settled on finishing the week with a fake car crash, set up by drug and alcohol charity Addaction.
With a modified Peugeot 206 strategically placed in the Market Place on Friday, passers-by were invited to sit inside the machine and experience a car crash simulation, to deter them from driving under the influence.
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Weather for Gainsborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
