1 PROJECT CENTURION Reducing Crime & Disorder on Douglas Promenade Isle of Man, British Isles.

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PROJECT CENTURION

Reducing Crime & Disorder on Douglas Promenade

Isle of Man, British Isles

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Chris Pycroft

Douglas Development Partnership

Chair – Project Centurion Steering Group

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Constable Tony Paxton

Isle of Man Constabulary

Project Manager – Project Centurion

Isle of Man Geography

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Isle of Man Geography

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32 miles long x 12 miles wide

Population: 76,000

Self Governing British Crown Dependency

Oldest continuous parliament in the world.

Isle of Man Political

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Isle of Man Cultural

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Celtic & Norse Heritage

Manx Language

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Manx Cats

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Manx Kippers

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Isle of Man TT Races

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“Running” & Maritime Trading

Mass “Seaside” Tourism

Offshore Financial Services

Isle of Man Economy

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Fishing

AgricultureHistorically:

Today:

Shipping Register

E-gaming/E-commerce

Movies

Targets: Aircraft Register

Cultural, Heritage, Environmental and Sporting Tourism

Isle of Man Economy

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A high quality of life and image are vital to the continued economic success of the Isle of Man.

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Isle of Man The Promenade

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“Seaside” heritage has resulted in Promenade becoming the island’s focus for evening economy.

Major increase in residential use.

Perceived major increase in alcohol related crime and disorder during weekend evenings.

The Birth of Project Centurion

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IOM Constabulary had adopted POP approach throughout force.

IOM Constabulary introduced the POP concept to local authorities and other agencies.

Chief Constable launched “Project Centurion” in January 2003.

Constable seconded full time to work within the townhall to manage a POP project with the aim of reducing crime, improving public safety and improving the image of the Promenade.

The SARA Process

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Analysis

Response

Assessment

The SARA Process

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Analysis

Response

Assessment

The SARA Process

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Analysis

Response

Assessment

The SARA Process

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Analysis

Response

Assessment

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The SARA Process - SCAN

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Public Meeting, Hilton Hotel, January 2003

Initial Scan: Overview of crime figures for 3 beats.

Crime & Disorder

Transportation

Youth Issues

Focus Groups & Tasking

Steering Group

Detailed Scan:

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Project Centurion Steering Group Membership

Isle of Man Constabulary

Douglas CorporationDouglas Development Partnership

Dept. of Education Youth Service

Dept. of TransportDept. of Tourism & Leisure

Michael Taylor – Youth Council

Road Traffic Licensing Committee

Manx Entertainment & Nightclub Association

Licensed Victuallers Association

Manx Off Licence Initiative

Brian Gresty - Consultant

Data Collection & Management

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Data Collection: Tasking project partners

Data Management: Problem Record Sheets

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Task Sheet

Task No. 4

Problem Area Transportation

Specific Problem

The need to transport people away from the Promenade as quickly as possible on Friday and Saturday nights after pubs and clubs close in order to reduce crime and disorder and improve public safety.

To All Nightclubs in Douglas

Task To provide accurate information on an hourly basis of the numbers of customers exiting each establishment on a Friday and Saturday night.

Completion Date

23rd May 2003

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Problem AreaTransportation

Actions Taken Evidence/ Analysis Response

Specific Problem The need to transport people away from the Promenade as quickly as possible on Friday and Saturday nights after pubs and clubs close.

Public Forum Organised.

Public Anecdotal Evidence

Convene a Transportation Focus Group

Transportation Focus Group convened.

Views from stakeholders on contributory problems & specific issues to be addressed.

Task stakeholders to collate specific, detailed scan information.

Contributory Problems

Reduced availability of taxis due to behaviour of customers.

Founded “Taxiwatch” to improve communication with drivers

Anecdotal evidence of drivers.

Instigated “Taxiwatch” bans.

Agreed protocol with Police after incidents.

ANALYSIS

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In 2001/2;

28% of all recorded crime in the IOM occurred on the Promenade, an area representing only 3% of the island’s geographical area.

41% of all assaults.

46% of all public disorder.

19% of all criminal damage.

ANALYSIS Crime & Disorder

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Assault Criminal Damage Public DisorderCrime Type

el Year

2000-20012001-20022002-2003

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Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat SunDay

Assault

Criminal Damage

Public Disorder

Relative levels of target crime by day of the week

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12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00

Average Annual Number of All Target Crimes by Hour

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Number who have left Nightclubs

Assaults

Criminal Damage

Public Disorder

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Data Sources: Public anecdotal evidence

Focus groups and tasks.

Crime analysis

Public perception survey

Target Crimes: Assaults

Criminal damage

Public disorder

Main Offenders: Nightclub customers

Main Victims: Nightclub customers

Promenade property & vehicle owners

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Harm Caused: Injury

Damage to property

Fear of crime (affecting business)

Negative image and reputation for the Promenade (affecting business)

Peak Times: 00.00hrs to 03.00hrs on Saturday & Sunday, particularly weekend of month after payday.

Locations: Hotspots outside nightclubs

Taxi ranks

Fast food outlets

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Response prior to Centurion:

Resource intensive cycle of arrest & prosecution.

Alcohol Unit already working with Licensees to reduce drunkenness & improve premises management.

Contributory problems:

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

The large area over which police resources must be deployed during the peak period.

Insufficient provision of late night public transport.

ANALYSIS Transportation

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Task Sheet

Task No. 10

Problem Area Transportation

Specific Problem The need to transport people away from the Promenade as quickly as possible on Friday and Saturday nights after pubs and clubs close in order to reduce crime and disorder and improve public safety.

To All Taxi Companies

Task To provide copies of taxi logs for Friday and Saturday nights from 1st January 2002 to date, providing information on times, destinations, pick up point and any points of note such as customers not paying, violence, abuse, vomiting etc.

Completion Date 13th June 2003

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18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07

Qty OOTQty taxis

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Focus groups and tasks.

Public perception survey

Bus timetables

Survey of taxi operators

Main Problem: Insufficient provision of public transport at peak times.

Main Partners: Taxi operators

Isle of Man Transport

Private Coach Operators

Police

Nightclubs

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Harm Caused: Frustration

Increased opportunity for incidents to occur.

Negative image of poor management.

Disturbance to residents.

Disincentive to visit Promenade at peak periods.

Peak Times: Midnight to 3.00am particularly weekend of month after payday.

Location of Problem:

Whole length of Promenade.

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Contributory Problems:

Insufficient taxi licences

Non-operation of taxis due to fear of crime etc.

Inefficient use of taxis to out of town destinations.

Temporary withdrawal of taxis following incidents.

Lack of late night bus service.

Lack of communication between public transport providers.

Insufficient and poorly managed taxi ranks.

Restrictions in taxi legislation preventing most efficient use of taxis at peak periods.

ANALYSIS Youth Issues

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Anecdotal evidence from the public meeting and public perception survey suggested that young people (under 18) were responsible for much of the antisocial behaviour and crime on the Promenade.

Whilst data from Youth Service worker logs did reveal a background level of illegal alcohol and drug use by young people, there was little evidence from the crime data of their involvement in other crimes

It became apparent when reviewing the data that many of the complaints about young people from the public related to the noise and disturbance caused by large groups gathering in public places such as the Promenade and surrounding residential areas.

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0 10 20 30 40

Minor Criminal Damage

Medium Criminal Damage

Serious Criminal Damage

Minor AlcoholMedium Alcohol

High Alcohol

Minor Assault

Medium AssaultSerious Assault

Looking for a Fight

Verbal AbuseDrug use Minor

Drug use Major

Hospital Treatment

Confrontation

Fighting

Drug/Alcohol Seizure

TheftAdult purchase of alcohol

Indecent Exposure

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It was also apparent that the location of these gatherings fluctuated as a result of the weather, police response, the presence of other attractions and other factors such as time of year.

Perception is the perceiver’s reality

Project partners recognised that an understanding of the youth perspective would be vital.

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Michael Taylor

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Dry bar/club Events Drop InCentre/café

Skatepark Buzz Bus Ice Rink Fair Internet CaféShelteredoutside venue

Skater

Scally

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Focus groups & tasking

Youth workers

Youth outreach workers logs

Crime analysis

Complaints to Police

Survey of Young People

Public Perception Survey

Main Problems: Intimidation caused by large groups of young people.

Background level of underage drinking, drug use and sexual activity.

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Main Partners: Youth Service

Young people

Police

Douglas Corporation

Church groups

Harm Caused: Intimidation & fear of crime

Disturbance of residents

Young people’s health issues

Peak Times: Mainly Friday/Saturday evenings (variable throughout the year)

Location: Centred on Promenade but easily displaced.

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Contributory Problems:

Public Misperception.

Mobile nature of young people’s social habits.

Shortage of social facilities, events & activities for young people.

Conflicting approaches by police and youth service.

Lack of understanding of young people’s social groupings and their different requirements.

Lack of forum to represent young people’s views.

The importance of personality in developing rapport with young people.

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RESPONSE

RESPONSE Crime & Disorder

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Police Action Plan: 53 potential responses

Use of detailed intelligence from Centurion to target resources more efficiently.

Project Centurion Task Force.

Refusal to grant bail to offenders on Friday/Saturday.

Using “Drunk & Disorderly” & “Provoking Behaviour” instead of “Section 3 Public Order” in order to gain stronger sentence & “Pubwatch” ban.

RESPONSE Crime & Disorder

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Police Action Plan: 53 potential responses

Policing taxi ranks to prevent illegal car parking.

Alcohol Unit’s numerous initiatives in collaboration with licensees.

RESPONSE Transportation

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Conclusions;

The target crimes and disorder are either opportunist or incidental rather than pre-meditated. Therefore, the quicker clubbers are removed from the Promenade, the less opportunity or reason they have to commit crime in the first place.

2. Reducing frustration about the lack of taxis and the difficulty experienced getting home after a night out was considered important in reducing incidents at taxi ranks.

3. If more people are transported home by vehicle, fewer are left to walk home committing opportunistic and incidental crimes en route.

RESPONSE Transportation

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Responses: “TaxiWatch”

Police/Taxi protocol

Improved rank management

Parking Controllers on horse trams

Increase in taxi licences

Late night bus service

Taxi rank review.

RESPONSE Youth Issues

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Responses: Douglas Youth Council

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Monthly Dance Events

Outdoor events celebrating creativity of young people

Events & Venues

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“Youth on the Move”

Events & Venues

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Improved communication and collaboration between Youth Service & Police.

“Youth on the Move”

“Area 51”

Youth Text Line

Events & Venues

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ASSESSMENT

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Assault Criminal Damage Public Order All Crime

2000-2001

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004

2004-2005

33.4% reduction in crime overall.

Includes a 28% reduction in thefts.

ASSESSMENT

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Difficult to assign results to specific responses.

However………….

Police Action Plan appeared to have an instant and dramatic effect.

Transportation responses took longer to implement. Transportation likely to result in a steady long term reduction in crime.

Youth related responses more likely to have impact on public perception. 2nd Survey proposed November 2005.

ASSESSMENT

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Assault Criminal

Damage

Public Order Theft Offence All Crime

2000-20012001-20022002-20032003-20042004-20052005-2006

Forecast of reported crimes for 2005-6 based on first four months (seasonally adjusted)

ASSESSMENT

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Secondary Benefit;

Relationships and partnerships and collaboration between all organisations and sectors involved.

ASSESSMENT

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The Future of the Project

Phase 2 – Public presentation, meeting and workshop

Public Perception Survey 2

Continued Monitoring

Greater all round understanding of current issues.

ASSESSMENT Lessons

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Incremental scanning and repeating the SASASARA process.

The importance of a dedicated person to drive the project.Information collection process – Tasking.Information management – Contributory problems.Communication and collaboration.The value of politicians.Publicity & Public Relations including colleagues.

Planning the Project.Patience.

Perception versus reality.

Crime and disorder are community issues that often require community responses.Motivation & Enthusiasm.

And finally……………………

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The Isle of Man is a beautiful island with a high quality of life, a strong sense of community and relatively low levels of crime.

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Any Questions?

Chris Pycroft Tony Paxton

cpycroft@douglas.org.im tony.paxton@police.dha.gov.im

1 PROJECT CENTURION Reducing Crime & Disorder on Douglas Promenade Isle of Man, British Isles.

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