The Safer Langley initiative has seen a reduction in crime in Langley and stronger community links established.
Since launching in November last year, the Safer Slough Partnership, made up of the council and Thames Valley Police, has been working with community groups and local voluntary sector organisations to improve crime rates and perception of crime in Langley.
Operational delivery groups were set up to focus on particular areas:
• Business, enterprise, and employability
• Health and Wellbeing
• Youth engagement, education, and prevention
• Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
• Crime
• Voice of the community.
Partners have been running activities for families, offering learning opportunities for young people and working with businesses to build a picture of the skills gap they have, to identify any routes for young people into work.
Safer Langley is part of the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build framework and Langley was chosen for this focused work after a period of significant violence, including two knife crime murders within 18 months.
The Clear phase focused on disrupting organised crime groups such as those involved in violent activity and drug and knife crime and making the area a safer place to live and work.
There has been a 43% reduction in reported knife crime in Slough since the launch, 67 stop searches and 41 arrests through officers carrying out high-impact patrols, as well as cannabis factories closed, and closure orders issued on properties being used for criminal activity. Drugs, weapons and catapults have been seized and there has been a 25% increase in anonymous reporting to Crimestoppers.
Another CCTV camera was installed in Langley Memorial Park after residents said they didn’t feel safe there.
While police will continue targeting criminal activity, the initiative is moving onto the Hold phase, where the aim is to hold off any new crime groups establishing themselves in Langley and to work towards Build, where the community feels stronger and empowered in keeping their town safe.
Intelligence is crucial, and everyone can play a part by reporting crimes or suspicious activity. This vital information helps the police disrupt criminal activity, make arrests, and bring charges.
There was a partnership event on 6 June at Langley Marriot Hotel to discuss progress and next steps.
Attendees heard how the project is working by pooling resources, knowledge, expertise, passion, commitment and capacity and restoring belief that change is possible.
Speaking at the event, Chief Superintendent Steve Raffield, said: “The real success of initiatives like this is how the community feel. It is about making sure we look at the most vulnerable people in our society and make sure they feel safe.”
Will Tuckley, council Chief Executive, said: “We want people in Langley to feel safe. If you feel safe it helps people to thrive and it leads ultimately to a greater happiness and contentment.
“There is no complacency about the prospects for the future. We have to be really vigilant in making sure the vacuum that has been taken to remove crime is not filled by more crime.
“The council will remain in listening mode. We want to work alongside partners and alongside residents.”
The Langley Neighbourhood Action Group has been set up within the Clear phase and is continuing its focus on issues that matter to Langley residents, including graffiti, which is the focus of a new four-week campaign with Crimestoppers.
Partnership support has included volunteers from Viva Slough helping to put up Safer Langley posters and banners on lampposts in Langley Memorial Park and along the route to the station, litter picking events and community events, with police presence, and a focus on offering people more activities to do.
There is also more work planned on the peace garden at Langley Memorial Park, and ongoing 0-19 health visiting and support of mental health and addiction services.
The council’s early years team have also created play and learn opportunities for families to help reduce isolation and increase the sense of community.
Councillor Dexter Smith, leader of the council, speaking at the partnership event, said: “The council is fully behind this initiative. I am pleased to note the crime statistics in Langley are falling as part of the Clear, Hold, Build project. Langley is becoming a place of consequence and possibility.”
Watch a video all about Safer Langley so far and the next steps.
The next NAG meeting is at 7pm on 9 July, at Zest Café, Langley College, Station Road, Langley, SL3 8BYand all are welcome.
To find out more about joining the NAG, email communitysafety1@slough.gov.uk
You can also find updates on the Safer Langley webpage.