Liveability - Community safety

A number of service improvements/projects were identified in a bid to address community safety issues.

• Access Management Schemes - This project aims to improve the appearance and safety of public spaces through managing public access.  Four Access Management Schemes have been identified in the district.
• Street lighting
• Re-deployable CCTV   

About this service

Eden Hill Shops

The area in front of the shopping parade in Edenhill Road suffered from a serious problem with anti-social behaviour and youths causing annoyance.  The site provided a district corner which youths called their own and where noisy behaviour and anti-social activities took place.  Backed by a high brick wall and separated from the remainder of the shopping area, the corner created a ‘defended’ space and resulted in a no-go area threatening to other users.

The Edenhill Project, a home office initiative which aims to redress anti-social behaviour and crime in the Edenhill ward and co-ordinate improvement asked Groundwork to carry out a feasibility study that would provide an environmental improvement in the area.  As a result, Groundwork has developed this project, aimed at combating the issues faced by the shopkeepers and the local community by designing out the opportunities for anti-social behaviour.

Pembroke Place

This project has come forward from the Street Warden’s after numerous complaints have been received from the wider community.  Pembroke Place is situated in the centre of the Acre Rigg Ward and consists of 22 Council properties all occupied by elderly residents.  The age ranges are from the high 60's up to the late 80's.

The elderly residents suffer from a great deal of anti-social behaviour such as youths playing football, stolen bins, obscenities shouted at them, vandalism to cars, pipes ripped of the walls, walk in burglary and noise.

The impact of the project will be a reduction in crime and the fear of crime on the estate. People will feel safer on the estate and will be more able to engage in activities both on and off the estate more freely.  The amount of anti-social behaviour experienced by elderly residents will be dramatically reduced. More importantly it will improve the quality of life of those residents who live in Pembroke Place.

Yoden Road Shops

This project has provided improvements to the shopping area on Yoden Road.  It is anticipated that a safer, more accessible shopping environment will increase business and ensure the long-term viability of the shops.

Yoden Road Wall

This project came about from concerns raised by residents in Eden Hill about the deteriorating state of the retaining wall in front of Yoden Road shops.

It is hoped that the reconstruction of the wall, steps and ramps will have a particularly positive effect on the local community and shop trade in this part of Peterlee.  The retaining wall is in a prominent position and gives a very negative effect of neglect and disrepair.

Street Lighting

The Eden Hill Estate has benefited from improvements to street lighting.  Additional lighting columns have been erected and existing columns have been replaced, improving lighting to cul-de-sacs and footpaths.

The project has made a real difference in a deprived area which will hopefully lead to a reduction in the fear of crime for residents using public spaces after dark.

Re-deployable CCTV

Liveability funding will purchase a re-deployable CCTV system, comprising of 15  ‘overt’ cameras, which can be mounted at locations throughout the district.  Having a re-deployable system will enable an improved response to local geographic anti-social behaviour problems.  The system will bolster community confidence in neighbourhoods experiencing problems, will prevent and deter crime, whilst providing evidence in action taken against any perpetrators.

This intervention was informed by a community audit and was undertaken as a direct response to public wants and need.  This project emphasises neighbourhood renewal involving the community and is a means of tackling anti-social behaviour whilst promoting respect.