CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2006/7

 

ENTERING OUR 21ST YEAR

 

This is the twentieth Chair’s report on the Association’s progress & achievements over the past year. Before I comment on this year’s work I would like to take you back on a journey to highlight some of the milestones in our history.

 

• 1987, 10th July, Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association first meeting
• 1990   we employed the first Crime Reduction Co-ordinator in Wales
• 1990   we host our first Crucial Crew, and have continued to do so every year since, the only Crime Prevention Panel in Wales to do so
• 1993  establishment of the Chequer’s Youth Facility in Aberdare town centre, after three years of ‘Blue Light Discos, fundraising, & project management
• 1997  Panel becomes a registered charity, first in Wales to do so
• 1998  PROTECT, our anti domestic burglary scheme launched
• 2001  PUPIL (Pupils Understanding Problems In their Locality) scheme in all the Cynon Valley comprehensive schools launched
• 2001  Association becomes a company limited by guarantee
• 2003  RECTIFY scheme introduced to deliver ‘Protect’ scheme in the Rhondda & Taff Ely areas
• 2004  Cynon Valley Crime Reduction Services Ltd (CVCRS). established as a wholly owned subsidiary supplying burglar alarms, access control systems & other crime prevention work throughout south Wales
• 2006 CVCRS secures the HEES (Home Energy and Efficiency Service) contract to fit crime prevention devices on domestic properties throughout both the Gwent & South Wales police areas
• 2006  PUPIL scheme rolled out through all the comprehensive schools in the Rhondda & Taff Ely areas
• 2007 the Association is a buoyant, successful community enterprise employing 24 people who are committed to reducing crime in the Cynon Valley.

 

Our progress in 2006/7

 

We again have based our work within the eight themes of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership.

 

Protect secured against burglary 720 houses belonging to the over 60’s, infirm, victims of crime, abused, & other vulnerable groups.

 

PUPIL was established within all comprehensive schools in RCT, with 375 pupils between 11 & 18 working to make a difference within their community. Areas covered included bullying, domestic & family abuse, substance misuse, car crime, theft, & safety both in school, public places & whilst travelling.

 

CYNON VALLEY YOUTH CRIME PREVENTION PANEL. This energetic, innovative group is made up of members from all the PUPIL teams in the Cynon Valley Comprehensives and in the past year has taken car crime as its project. It has held car road shows throughout the valley, all learnt to use the etching machine and attended Aberdare’s main shopping car parks on the three Saturdays prior to Christmas. With this project the Youth Panel contributed to an 18.8% reduction in car crime in Aberdare town centre for the year.

 

CRUCIAL CREW. Now established at its permanent home in the Safety Zone, Treforest.   846 year 5 pupils visited the 12 exhibitions to take part in safety & crime prevention exercises. This was our 19th Crucial Crew, it will not be long before we have our first child of an earlier participant experiencing Crucial Crew!

 

Our Team. Once again my appreciation goes to Vince Price & his team for delivering our business plan this year.

 

All our employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills through their employment with us.

 

Vince & the team represent the Association on Community First boards, Police PACT meetings, and many statutory & voluntary group meetings.

 

The Project Director is on the management board of both Interlink & Development Trust Association.

 

The directors, members, and staff visited many fetes, galas, open days & exhibitions over the past year spreading the message of crime prevention.

 

On a sad note we lost Councillor Jon Oliver, a Director, in January after illness. Our condolences & thoughts go to Margaret & Jon’s family for their sad loss. Jon’s advice, help & company is very much missed.

 

Future. I am confident that the successes of previous years will be repeated.

 

CVCRS is targeted to increase its financial contribution to the Association.

 

Protect will continue to secure the domestic houses in the Valley.

 

PUPIL will continue to encourage leadership skills in our comprehensive schools, combined with working crime prevention in their communities.

 

By 2009 we hope to have completed our BRIDGE youth facility project in Aberamman.

 

Although for the first time I am unable to compare crime figures on a year on year basis, we are receiving feedback from our ‘customers’ indicating a reduction of crime in  & around the home. A feel good factor is returning among the vulnerable groups that we have contact with.

 

My thanks go to my fellow Directors, our members, Vince Price, our Project Director, & his team for their efforts & dedication in 2006/7.

 

We will all continue to raise everyone’s awareness to their responsibilities to protect their property & families from crime.

 

The Cynon Valley is & will remain one of the safest places in the UK in which to live, work & visit.

 

Mike Jacklin

Chair