EVA Template – Dorset Primary Bid (Pokesdown)

EVA Template – Dorset Primary Bid (Pokesdown) The template has been created using the Seven Attributes of Safer Places - the planning system and crime prevention (2004 Archived). The attributes are general and descriptive. They are not prescriptive. They are not a set of rules to be applied to all situations. Instead, they should be considered as prompts to thinking about crime prevention and promoting community safety, primarily through the planning system. This document was superseded in 2014 with updated planning practice guidance. However, the attributes provide a simple yet effective framework for surveying the built environment. The attributes: Access and movement: places with well-defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising security Structure: places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict Surveillance: places where all publicly accessible spaces are overlooked Ownership: places that promote a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and community Physical protection: places that include necessary, well-designed security features Activity: places where the level of human activity is appropriate to the location and creates a reduced risk of crime and a sense of safety at all times Management and maintenance: places that are designed with management and maintenance in mind, to discourage crime in the present and the future 1 Summary of recommendations Pokesdown, Bournemouth There are problems within the area that require intervention to tackle deprivation and causes of crime which are outside the scope of policing and its local partners to manifestly enhance, but also several measures that could effectively reduce crime, as well as the fear of crime. The most significant current weakness is A secondary issue is that many properties have poor standards of security, and criminal access requires little effort. There are limited opportunities that a crime will be identified at an early stage; and the nature of the urban area nearby is that disposal of stolen goods can be easily achieved. Based on this EVA, and working through the Safer Streets Fund Crime Prevention Toolkit, it is suggested that the following interventions should be considered: 1. Add pan zoom and tilt cameras linked to the existing Council monitoring centre at locations along, Christchurch Road, Seabourne Road and Southbourne Grove. 2. Extend the Bobby Van provision into this area, with a focus on using it in an enhanced manner to provide basic target hardening improvements. 3. Engage local community leaders to identify areas where resources might be focussed to expand Neighbourhood Watch schemes, and sign up to the messaging scheme Dorset Alert. 4. Use available resources such as Community Volunteers, Cadets and Neighbourhood Watches to provide basic crime prevention information and referral to further available help. 5. Launch a targeted Crime Prevention Awareness campaign involving local stakeholders, jointly led by Dorset Police and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. 6. Assess local need to better enable Police and Council resources to target interventions to protect vulnerable individuals (such as the Safe and Independent Living scheme). Other suggestions: 7. Possibly add an extra mobile CCTV unit that could be deployed into hotspot locations, although management/deployment is more costly and . 8. Possibly provide a short term boost to the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme to increase the physical reassurance available through a uniformed presence. 2 Introduction Pokesdown is a suburb of Bournemouth, situated to the east of Boscombe and to the west of the generally more affluent Southbourne area. Pokesdown railway station is situated at the north on the junction of Christchurch Road and Seabourne Road. Christchurch Road/Old Christchurch Road is the main road running from central Bournemouth, through Boscombe and into Pokesdown. Seabourne Road then Southbourne Grove forms the main route through Pokesdown and towards Southbourne and the sea. Historically it was Boscombe that formed the main tourist destination locally and in the 1880s the area rapidly expanded with developments of large villa style homes along the links to the coast. Hotels and large guest house were common and busy. Gradually the tourism landscape changed and by the 1970’s, many buildings had been converted to Houses of Multiple Occupancy and flats. This type of accommodation attracted an influx of people on low incomes and living off benefits. The change in resident demographic also saw higher levels of drug and alcohol dependency and an increase of transient individuals with chaotic lifestyles centred in Boscombe and its neighbouring areas. and also saw a large growth in Drug and Alcohol treatment centres locally, perpetuating the issues by drawing individuals from outside the area seeking treatment. Whilst these issues are particularly entrenched in Boscombe, the impact has been felt in neighbouring Pokesdown. Accommodation is largely private rented, with multiple and distant landlords, resulting in a transient population and erosion of community. Many properties open directly onto the footpath with little defensible space. This has led to a large number of buildings having unprotected side alleys leading to the rear areas. Rear yards and gardens regularly share access. Christchurch Road, Seabourne Road and Southbourne Grove are a lined with shop fronts with living units above that were designed for families to live above their shops, but have now become rented flats. The area and is particularly well-known for small, independent retailers specialising in antiques, vintage and retro clothing. Southbourne Grove still has the rear Victorian back lane, Southbourne Lane running along the rear of all the properties. There is little in the way of public green space, other than Fisherman’s Walk to the south which . Since the 1990’s there have been a number of initiatives implemented to try and regenerate Boscombe and whilst there has been some steady improvement in most of these areas, many issues still exist in the housing and crime areas. This ongoing focus on Boscombe has also seen a small but vocal group of residents within Pokesdown to feel that their area has been unduly neglected and similar issues not addressed. Whilst not experiencing quite the same levels of deprivation, crime and anti-social behaviour, Pokesdown itself does experience significant challenges due to its environment and proximity to Boscombe. 3 1. Access and Movement (Permeability) Places with well-defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising security The main arterial road Christchurch Road links Bournemouth to Boscombe and onto Christchurch, with a significant stretch of ground floor shops with residential units above. The link to the sea, and main route through the heart of Pokesdown, is Seabourne Road leading onto Southbourne Grove. Many long straight side roads come off these roads with houses built on individual patterns. The few cul-de-sacs that do exist have been added as part of ongoing urban growth. This area still identifies with its Victorian roots with large imposing facades looking down onto roads that were built more as a patchwork. Many properties open directly onto the footpath with little defensible space. This has led to a large number of buildings having unprotected side alleys leading to the rear areas. Rear yards and gardens regularly share access. Christchurch Road, Seabourne Road and Southbourne Grove are lined with shop fronts with living units above that were originally designed for families to live above their shops, but have now become rented flats. Southbourne Grove still has the rear Victorian back lane, Southbourne Lane, running along the rear of all the properties. Permeability was built into the original layouts to encourage links on foot. However, this has now left the area vulnerable. Many properties are now in the ownership of landlords who live outside the area, using management companies or even sub-letting properties. It is therefore quite difficult to identify who is actually responsible for maintaining the structure, and even more difficult to get enhancements undertaken. BCP Council are currently consulting on the implementation of a Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords, which, if implemented, will involve a mandatory level of services provided to maintain that registration. 4 Recommendations Target hardening and crime prevention education, with residents being aware of the risk and taking responsibility for home security, would achieve the best improvements most reasonably. Restricting access to the rear or sides of a property; having appropriate security hardware; and using it properly can reduce crime. The introduction of formal and informal surveillance, through the installation of CCTV and community capacity building (eg Neighbourhood Watch), would also help in terms of crime prevention, deterrent and intelligence/investigation. This could include targeted awareness raising of the Dorset Alert Scheme, which residents can sign up to a receive crime updates in their area directly from Police intelligence. 5 2. Structure (Design and Layout) Places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict Along the main streets front facades are shared by different users, and there are numerous examples of poorly maintained doors and windows mingled along even the main road. The rear alleys and pathways

Load more