News Flash 28th March 2008

Warning thieves operate in this area...

If you're out and about in Leigh in the coming weeks and you hear a voice from above don't panic! Our new talking signs are being installed in car crime hotspots in the town centre.

The signs are solar powered and will be fastened high on the lamppost to prevent them from being vandalised. A sensor will be activated when people walk by and a warning meassage will be played. Messages include:

• Police warning - motorists do not leave your valuables on display in your car.
• Police warning - beware burglars operate in this area.
• Police warning - keep your mobile phone safe - street robbers operate in this area.

What message would you have?

Send us your suggestions for messages and you could win yourself £50 in high street vouchers. Your message needs to be short and to the point with a maximum of 50 words and must provide advice or a warning that will encourage residents to stay safe or keep their area clean. Including:

• Police warning - get caught doing vandalism in this area and you could end up with a criminal record, fined, or even jailed - be warned.
• Drugs and alcohol addiction can lead to crime - get help, get treatment. Call 0800 389 4463 ... that's 0800 389 4463.

Send your suggestions to us at The Community Safety Team, Wigan Council, 17-19 The Wiend, Wigan, WN1 1PF or email them to saferwigan@wigan.gov.uk The deadline for entries is 30th April 2008.

Community Safety Partnership Newsletter

The spring edition of the newsletter will be out in the next fortnight. In this issue we've got a report on the progress of Operation Unify and a feature on the Water Safety Action plan. We've also included a questionnaire to gather your views on the newsletter and the website. The questionnaire will also be posted on the website. We would very much like to hear back from as many of you as possible.

Alleygates roll on

The Atherton area is the latest place to feel the benefits of the alleygating programme. Residents continue to be delighted with the gating programme and our recent survey of those who have had gates for a while confirms the popularity of alleygates. Nearly 90% of respondents said they felt safer than they did before their alley gates were installed and 85% said their quality of life had improved thanks to the gates. Hot spot areas in parts of Tyldesley, Hindley and Springfield will be the next to benefit from the scheme.

Community Improvement Programme

As the Platt Bridge CIP comes to a close, planning for the next area is already well underway. The project next moves to Higher Folds, Leigh. The Platt Bridge programme has been even better than Hag Fold and we move to Higher Folds with even more lessons in the bag.

For further information on any of these news items please contact the Community Safety Team on 01942 828111 or by email at saferwigan@wigan.gov.uk