Working to save 101
August 14 2008
As part of his ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour in Southampton, Alan Whitehead last week visited the headquarters of Southampton’s 101 service to get a first-hand look at the vital work they do for the city.
Alan was briefed on how the 101 service deals with reports of ASB and how action is co-ordinated with local neighbourhood policing teams and the city’s community safety team. He also listened to some of the calls taken by staff at the centre.
Dr Whitehead is working with MPs in other areas where the 101 scheme was piloted to re-establish government funding for the scheme. Last year after the government pilot ended, all of the affected local authorities in the Hampshire region agreed to continue supporting the service - apart from the Conservative-controlled administration in Southampton. Continued support and a financial contribution to an independent evaluation of the service from Southampton were eventually secured as part of a budget pact between Southampton Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.
Alan said:
"The service has been very, very successful in Southampton. Not only is it working well here but a number of other areas around the country are looking to introduce it without having a pilot project like we have. It's not an expensive service yet it has a lot of benefit as it is both a non-emergency number and a neighbourhood community action service."
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More information
- This visit is one of a series by Dr Whitehead over the parliamentary recess focusing on anti-social behaviour and how it is being tackled. Other meetings with front-line staff have included:
- A street briefing with Coxford’s neighbourhood policing team and residents on recent violence and disorder in the area
- A visit to Southampton’s CCTV control centre to defend the role of CCTV in combating crime in the face of criticisms from David Davis over the civil liberties implications of using CCTV cameras to catch criminals
- Going out and about with Southampton’s City Patrol
- Dr Whitehead will also be going to Central Police Station on a Saturday night (final date still TBC) to see how the police deal with crime and disorder at one of the most challenging times in the week.
- Dr Whitehead’s recently produced ‘Southampton Test Anti-Social Behaviour Handbook: Your Guide to the Law’ has also been distributed to libraries and residents associations across the constituency, in addition to over 1000 constituents who had previously contacted Dr Whitehead about problems with anti-social behaviour. An online copy of the handbook is available here: http://www.alan-whitehead.org.uk/pdf/asb_book.pdf