The neighbourhood team in Mole Valley has been showing off the results of a £20,000 grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Munro to tackle anti-social behaviour around the Ken Barrington Pavilion in Great Bookham.
Over the past few months, there’s been a rise in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour and recorded crimes at the pavilion in the Chrystie Recreation Ground. The pavilion was looking run down and youths were constantly breaking into the building damaging windows and lights.
The neighbourhood team along with other partners decided action needed to be taken. A JAG (Joint Action Group)* was set up with representatives from the police, council, local residents and other interested parties to look at what solutions could be put in place to tackle the issues and an application for funding was submitted to the PCC.
With the money from the PCC ‘s Community Safety Fund, new state of the art CCTV equipment has now been installed around the pavilion along with a perimeter fence allowing legitimate access for club members only.
Lighting has been improved around the area to make it safer for local residents to walk through the site and the club house itself has had a make-over. Window shutters have been installed and there’s a new front door to protect the club.
The clubhouse’s alarm system has also been replaced and the nearby oak tree has been pruned back to prevent people using it to climb on to the clubhouse roof.
Local youth leaders and the Sports Association are now looking at ways to engage with local youths by running a youth café from the clubhouse to give them a sense of ownership. Other groups in the village are also in talks to use the clubhouse for their meetings so that the clubhouse will be used more often.
Mole Valley Sergeant John Pearson said: “The measures we now have in place will make a big difference to all those who use the pavilion and I’d like to thank the PCC for providing the funds to enable us to carry out the work.
“We’re committed to improving the lives of residents in Great Bookham and I’m confident that our action will reduce the incidents of anti-social behaviour around the pavilion.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro said: “This project is a brilliant example of how agencies can work together as a Joint Action Group to tackle and solve an issue that was clearly blighting the local community in Great Bookham.
“I am delighted that my office was able to help through our Community Safety Fund to put measures in place to halt the criminality taking place and restore this location to being somewhere local residents and youngsters can enjoy.”
Editor’s Note
*The JAG was made up of representatives from Surrey Police, Bookham Sports Association (Cricket Club, Bookham Seniors FC and Bookham Colts FC), Mole Valley District Council, local councillors, Bookham Residents Association, Leatherhead Youth Project and local residents.
Pictured is PCC David Munro (centre), Sergeant John Pearson and other members of the JAG.
A one stop-shop for information on anti-social behaviour is available at www.surreycommunitysafety.org.uk.