Community Gateway and Lancashire Police win European Crime Prevention Award » Housing » 24dash.com

“Mopping up Dodge”, a joint Community Gateway Association and Lancashire Police initiative, was selected ahead of seven other national crime prevention projects to come first at the European Crime Prevention Awards in Paris against 60 other European projects.

The competition is organised and hosted by the EU Crime Prevention Network.

The EUCPN (EU Crime Prevention Network) was set up in May 2001 by an EU Council Decision to promote crime prevention activity in member states across the European Union, and to provide a means through which valuable good practice in preventing crime, mainly "traditional" crime, could be shared.

Co-ordinated by Sue Roach, Community Safety Manager at Gateway, PC Gary Salisbury and PC Dave Johnson from Lancashire Police, it focused on the Farringdon Estate in Preston, which has suffered from crime, anti-social behaviour, Drugs and other related problems.

Sue Roach said: “Working in partnership with both Lancashire police and other local agencies, this project has seen us achieve great success for the people of this once troubled area.

"To win this award for the UK is a great honour. From a relatively small project in Preston to be selected, the best in Europe is amazing.

"The projects success lies in how we have worked together with residents and the wider community.

"With our partners we have targeted persistent offenders and the results have been seen in the courage and the strength of the people involved to stand up to make their lives better.”

Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells, said: “MOPPIN up Dodge, was selected ahead of seven other UK entries, and has now won ahead of 60 other projects across the European Union.

"This is a proud day for Preston and the residents on the Farringdon Estate”

In terms of what the competition judges were, looking for this project ticked all the boxes, the rigorous approach to analysing the problem, the partnership with the police and the success of the project in both qualitative and quantitative terms.

Where it went further than a number of projects is that there is good evidence that the successes achieved are sustainable and that they can be replicated across the UK.

Gateway representatives, Lancashire Police and Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells were presented with the Award by former President of France Valery Giscard D'Estaing.