A WEEK-long initiative dedicated to making the people of Southampton safer is to get under way next week.

Safer Southampton Week runs from Monday to Friday, with everything from fire station open days, to finding out about the criminal justice system, to meetings between police and the community.

Each day has a theme, with Neighbourhoods on Monday, followed by Homes, Families, Roads and finally Drinking.

The scheme is run by Southampton’s Safe City Partnership, a collaboration between organisations including Hampshire police, Southampton City Council, Southampton City Primary Care Trust and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. The partnership’s aim is to make Southampton the safest of cities by tackling, crime, antisocial behaviour and substance misuse.

Monday will include an open day at Hightown Fire Station from 11am until 2pm.

The fire service will be providing safety information and demonstrating the dangers of mini-motos at Waitrose in Portswood, from 10am until 12.30pm, then at Houndwell Park from 2pm until 4.30pm.



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Members of the Safer Communities Team, the police and other agencies will be at Tesco in Millbrook to answer residents’ questions about crime, domestic violence and alcohol-related issues between 10am and 2pm.

A coffee morning will take place for residents of Grange Court, Pleasant View and Kelly House sheltered accommodation, with the police and Later Years Partnership.

An interactive session with the Local Criminal Justice Service showing people how criminal sentencing works runs from 7pm until 8.30pm at the MP3 building in Mansell Park, with a chance for members of the public to go through a crime scenario and decide the punishment.

Councillor Phil Williams, Southamp-ton’s Cabinet member for local services and community safety, said: “There is an element of reassurance in this, but we all have a part to play in making Southampton safer.

“The crime figures are great, but we have got to work with people more in tackling crime. Part of it is communication, getting the message out, but part of it is saying we can’t do it on our own.”

Cllr Williams added it was more than just a showcase of the work being done, but a way to signpost people towards ways of getting involved or taking action.

“We’re saying ‘Do you want to be part of the Neighbourhood Watch? This is how you do it,” he said.

“There is a feeling that people have – should I report something or not?

“Reporting crimes and getting in touch with the police or City Council is always worthwhile. We’re trying to work together so we’re tackling things that people are saying are important.”