The work of the police volunteers in Blaby is being highlighted in a new BBC 1 television series presented by Gloria Hunniford.
‘Doorstep Crime 999’, is a series of ten half hour programmes which will run everyday for two weeks from Monday 20th February.
The programme featuring the Blaby volunteers and the local police inspector is being broadcast at 11am on Tuesday 28th February.
A film crew from an independent production company spent two days with the volunteers, victims of crime and police officers filming their ‘Safe, Secure and Comfortable,’ scheme which helps victims of doorstep crime and others.
The volunteers work with local officers to improve the domestic security of victims and help reduce repeat offences as well as fear of crime.
They also set up No Cold Calling Zones and offer a wide range of services such as a security review of domestic property, supply of small security aids, crime prevention advice and reassurance as well being trained to carry out domestic fire surveys and installing smoke alarms.
The scheme brings together the police, fire and rescue service and district council and has already saved those organisations £22,000 and helped to reduce local burglaries by 19%.
Jeremy Collingridge is one of the volunteers who was instrumental in organising and taking part in the filming. He said;
“We try and help people to help themselves. So much can be achieved in resisting crime by understanding how criminals work. It is extraordinarily satisfying to make a difference in the community. We hope the programme will get the message to many more people than our Blaby team can reach.”
Insp. Brown
The programme will also feature an interview with Inspector Jon Brown, the Commander of Blaby Local Policing Unit. He said;
“I was pleased to take part in the filming to show how we work with the volunteers to help secure the homes of victims of crime. The volunteers offer an invaluable service in their own time, often going way beyond the call of duty. Their work goes along way to reducing the chances of someone falling victim to crime again and in increasing that persons’ confidence enabling them to get on with their lives.
“They have the ability to do that extra ‘something’ which can mean so much to victims and can be of real benefit to officers and the communities they serve. I am really pleased that their excellent work is being highlighted on national television which I hope will act as an inspiration to others.”
In June 2011, the volunteers were awarded the Police Support Volunteers Team Award for the second time. The award was made at the National Policing Improvement Agency’s annual Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards ceremony in Westminster.
