Hull in print

After repeated break-ins, users of Spring Bank Community Centre were determined to find a way of protecting the building.
The West Parade centre is used seven days a week for activities such as computer and internet taster sessions, to dog-training courses and youth clubs.
Now, thanks to a grant of £4993.75 from Hull City Council's Community Safety Fund, the centre is covered by eight CCTV cameras. It's hoped that this will reduce crime.
The system also scans the centre's car park, as well as West Parade and the nearby Collingwood Primary School.
"The cameras are invaluable," says Frank McConaghy from the Spring Bank Community Association, which manages the community centre.
"Recorded footage from the cameras will help to protect the building, deter other crimes and help the police in a significant way."
Initially, the community association paid for the cameras, but the costs will be fully reimbursed by the Community Safety Fund, following a successful application helped by the Riverside Area Team and local ward councillors.
"It was quite a simple process, and it wouldn't be hard for other residents, community groups and associations to apply for grants, as we did," adds Frank.
Meanwhile, similar grants are now funding a variety of other projects across the city. (See opposite for more details.)

The story so far...

Wyke area

Funding of £1,800 has been secured to buy 10 new walkie-talkie-style radios to help shops in Newland Avenue warn each other about shoplifters.
Funding has also been approved for gating schemes to deny access to burglars and vandals to ten-foots, on the corner of Bricknell Avenue and National Avenue, and those at the rear of houses on Burniston Road, Hayburn Avenue and Langdale Avenue.
A further ten-foot gating scheme is being considered for the rear of Ancaster Avenue, Hotham Road North and Fairfield Road, costing £2,100.

Park

£25,500 has been secured to provide safe parking areas for cars across Greatfield. The scheme will also tie in with plans to make roads safer and easier for children to cross while walking to Oldfleet Primary School, on Bradford Avenue.
£6,000 has also been approved for new fencing around garages at Belmont Street and a gating scheme at Savery Street.

West

Reducing shed and garage break-ins is a priority, and a proposal is now being considered to buy new shed and garage alarms and locks. These will be handed to victims of crime and their neighbours, when there has been a spate of thefts – and they will be free of charge.

Riverside

£7,680 will be spent on fencing and gates to secure an area of land at Vane Street for a residents' off-street car park.
£1,133 will be spent on alley-gates at Holland Street, and £819 for a new section of fence between Plowden Road and Brunslow Close to prevent mini-motorbikes riding through the roads.
Further applications include alley-gating projects at Abbey Street, Franklin Street, Brecon Street, Berkshire Street, Harley Street, Peach Tree Court and Field Street.

East

Proposals have been made for £10,000 to buy new helmets kitted with CCTV cameras and bicycles for police community support officers (PCSOs).
These will enable PCSOs to respond to incidents of antisocial behaviour and to record evidence.
If approved, this project will run in partnership with Humberside Police.
£2,369 will be spent on a CCTV scheme at Sutton Leisure and Sports community centre in Church Street, Sutton village.

North Carr

Residents have applied for £5,500 to buy chicane barriers and fences around Dulverton Close to reduce nuisance motorbiking.
Neighbourhood-watch members have asked for new street lighting for Stroud Crescent.
A £10,000 scheme to work with young people to reduce nuisance motorcycling is also being considered. An off-road track at the Two Wheels Centre in Chapman Street would promote responsible riding and teach bike maintenance.

Northern

Almost £10,000 has been applied for to contribute to the costs of the "Smartwater" scheme to protect student houses from burglary.
Other applications for funding include alley-gates to secure the rear of commercial properties on Beverley High Road.
£1,389 has been proposed for a noise deterrent, which is set at a pitch that only young people can hear. If groups of youths are congregating in an area and causing antisocial behaviour, the device can be installed and activated to make them move on.

Making Hull safer

"It's wonderful that so many people are already benefiting from the fund," says Cllr Kalvin Neal, who is responsible for community safety in the city.
"Anything that makes people feel less vulnerable to crime will be considered for funding.
"We knew when we launched the fund last autumn that it would be an excellent way of making Hull a safer place to live, work and visit."

Hull City Council's promises to you
Promise No. 3

We will help to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

info

To make a grant application, call your local councillor or area committee. You will find their numbers at the back of this magazine.


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