Conference looks to create safer communities

Sheffield Homes and South Yorkshire Police joined forces to promote safer homes and neighbourhoods at a conference for council tenants, leaseholders and residents.

 

Around 80 people attended the Sheffield Homes Residents Annual Conference on 6^th September to hear about what is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour and community safety issues across the city.

 

Residents also explored different ways of dealing with youth nuisance as part of an interactive play.  Dead Earnest Theatre’s production of ‘Neighbour Hoody’ got people thinking about and discussing anti-social behaviour, as well as coming up with ideas to tackle the problem.

 

Later, residents took part in a series of workshops, which included abandoned and untaxed vehicles, motorbikes, mopeds and gopeds, youth nuisance, drugs awareness, neighbour problems and assertiveness on the street.

 

Margaret Wilson, from Westfield, particularly enjoyed the theatre production.

“It gave you some ideas about how to approach things in a different way if you’re confronted with a situation on the street,” she said. “It got you thinking.”

 

Margaret, who also attended the first Residents Conference last year, thinks efforts are being made to get people more involved in housing services. “If you want to get involved, there are lots of opportunities to do so.”

 

Usamah Rahmani, of Netheredge, is a member of Sheffield Homes’ Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Planning Group, which aims to build links with BME communities in the city.

 

He said: “I’ve found today informative and interesting. I like the approach Sheffield Homes has taken with partners like the Police and Sheffield City Council, because I know that there are concerns and issues around anti-social behaviour.”

 

Janet Parry, Director of Housing Management at Sheffield Homes, said: “This year’s conference theme – Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Sheffield – was one that really seemed to get people talking.

 

“We wanted to get people thinking about what they can do to make their home and neighbourhood a safer place, as well as highlighting what we’re doing to improve community safety.

 

“We now have a citywide Safety Warden Service and Neighbourhood Warden schemes on estates to tackle nuisance behaviour and offer reassurance and support to residents.  We also provide and fit free extra security measures and burglar alarms to homes.  We continue to proactively tackle anti-social behaviour and have a Witness Support Scheme to support victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour.”

 

Superintendent Keith Lumley from South Yorkshire Police said:  "This event was designed to engage with people who are often faced with antisocial behaviour on a daily basis.  It was pleasing to see so many residents there and be able to talk to them one-to-one about their concerns. 

 

“The workshops were a real success and residents were given real-life examples of who to turn to, and how to help resolve, antisocial behaviour. The event was also an excellent opportunity for us to explain how the new Safer Neighbourhood Teams, which are now in place across Sheffield, are central to tackling such issues.  

 

“By continuing to work with Sheffield Homes and all our partners, we are able to engage with more people, focus on the issues that matter most to them and also gain important information that can help us reduce crime and disorder in communities for good."