Press release
Partners join forces to improve home safety and security
Health, Council, Police and Fire services in Bury have come together to target crime and improve home safety and security amongst vulnerable residents.
The partner organisations are working together as part of Team Bury to help make people feel safer in their own homes. The campaign, initially being piloted for three months, will help to identify where home security and safety could be improved through the completion of a quick questionnaire.
For the first phase of the campaign, during routine visits, District Nurses will help to identify vulnerable patients who could benefit from the scheme.
With the householders permission a short questionnaire will be completed, and depending on the feedback from the survey, the relevant agency will then take the appropriate action to improve home security and safety. This could include fitting of spy holes, door bolts, door chains and smoke alarms.
Karl Adderley, Local Security Management Specialist for NHS Bury said;
“We want to help make people feel safer in their own homes and we really hope this campaign will make a difference in the community.”
Councillor Sam Cohen, Executive Member for Safe and Secure Communities, added; “Contacting vulnerable people to see how we can help and support them to feel secure in their own home is really important. Simple improvements such as a new door chain can really help make a positive difference and help local residents feel safe.”
Inspector Charlotte Cadden of the Bury East Neighbourhood Policing Team said;
“I am sure this initiative will be a great success and achieve its ultimate aim of improving the quality of lives of our residents. It is also a wonderful example of positive partnership working in action.”
Paul Binyon, Bury Borough Command Liaison Officer added;
“Joining forces with Bury NHS, GMP and TeamBury has given us a way of offering our Home Fire Risk Assessment service to those vulnerable people in the community who are most at risk from fire. Protecting people from the risks of fire in the home is the number one priority for the Fire and Rescue Service, as that is where the majority of deaths and injuries occur. Householders that apply for the service will receive a free home fire safety check and advice from firefighters. Firefighters will also fit free smoke alarms to the property if required.”
ENDS
Date: 11 February 2010
FOR PRESS & MEDIA ENQUIRIES: contact Caroline Dearden, Corporate Communications Manager on 0161 762 3106 or email communications@bury.nhs.uk