Draft partnership action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields

We've worked with community groups and members of the public to create an action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields.

It shows what we plan to do to reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB) in the area.


Main issues: Underage drinking, drug and solvent misuse, young people causing a nuisance, damage to properties and misuse of vehicles.

Criteria for success: A reduction in the actual number of ASB incidents reported to us or to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Aims: To reduce ASB, to cut the number of recorded incidents of criminal damage, to increase the safety and attractiveness of the park and to reduce the impression that ASB is a major problem in the area.

The plan targets five areas:

Education and awareness

Draft partnership action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields
What is our aim? How will we achieve it? What will this involve? What outcomes can we expect?
Education and awareness Via meetings with key community and voluntary groups and statutory bodies Taking part in consultation and development meetings

Following up, monitoring and reviewing meetings

Help to identify issues and short and long-term resources

Facilitate a full community consultation
Via public meetings Gathering views from members of the public Assist with the development of draft and final action plans
By developing a leaflet and other material to raise awareness and educate people about ASB Distributing leaflets and other material which includes details of this action plan Raise awareness amongst all park users and community, voluntary and statutory bodies about ASB
By distributing park ranger customer care cards to police officers and key resident groups Distributing park ranger information cards Create a more informed community and better awareness of the Park Ranger Service

Lead to more public interaction with the Park Ranger Service
By working with Orangefield High School through talks and input into the Citizenship curriculum Using our ASB co-ordinator to give talks to school assemblies about the consequences of ASB Develop a clear understanding of how to use the park properly


Diversionary activities and programmes

Draft partnership action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields
What is our aim? How will we achieve it? What will this involve? What outcomes can we expect?
Diversionary activities and programmes By involving schools in park activities and other education and outreach work Encouraging schools to get involved and take ownership of the park Increase the number of respectful and legitimate park users
Via seasonal events and activities for community groups

For example, via bowling events for young people and a joint tennis progamme between Ormeau and Orangefield Parks

Through the Crossroads project (diversionary activities for 11 and 12 July) 		Organising park-based activities and programmes Deter those taking part in ASB and increase the number of people using the park
Via partnership programmes with other community and voluntary groups Diverting people from taking part in ASB Match activities with the times ASB takes place
Involvement from Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) Encouraging young people to participate in activities and respect both other people and the Orangefield area Engage with those taking part in ASB and get 'buy in' from both communities
Via Youth Shelter pilot project Creating a shared and safe space for young people Develop a sense of 'ownership' amongst young people and encourage them to use the park respectfully
Encouraging bowling pavilion staff to take reports about ASB incidents Giving members of the public a point of contact for reporting ASB Allow incidents to be recorded and dealt with as soon as possible


Environment

Draft partnership action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields
What is our aim? How will we achieve it? What will this involve? What outcomes can we expect?
Environment By using Design Out Crime recommendations compiled by the PSNI Crime Prevention Team Implementing the recommendations through full consultation with the community Redesign of the park to reduce ASB
By solving the issue of bonfires Agreeing a way forward which all parties are happy with Discussing safer and more environmentally-friendly alternatives to bonfires
Via the Growing for Health project Working with local groups to grow fruit in the park Developing a sense of ownership and a healthier outlook amongst park users
Graffiti removal Removing graffiti by 11am on the morning it appears Ensuring facilities stay clean and attractive
Continue working with Community Telegraph to ensure papers are not left in the park Informing the newspaper when unwanted copies are left in the park Working together to ensure the park is litter-free


Application of park bye-laws

Draft partnership action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields
What is our aim? How will we achieve it? What will this involve? What outcomes can we expect?
Application of park bye-laws Review of park bye-laws Consulting with our Legal Services Department Making sure park bye-laws are up to date, relevant and easier to read
New signage needed throughout the park Sending new signs to Plain English Campaign

Erecting new signs 		Making bye-laws easier to understand for all age groups

Allowing staff to highlight bye-laws to park users
Training for Park Ranger Service

Introduce new uniform 		Developing report writing skills

Highlighting personal safety and how to approach young people

Consulting with park rangers and managers 		Producing a motivated Park Ranger Service

Increasing the visibility of park rangers
Communication between the council, BELB and PSNI Allowing police officers and youth workers to carry out their duties Encouraging young people to take part in diversionary activities


Enforcement

Draft partnership action plan for Orangefield Park and Dixon Playing Fields
Aim Actions Output Outcomes
Enforcement Regular joint exercises with the council and the PSNI on agreed dates

Co-ordinated bye-law enforcement and operations		 Handing out leaflets, confiscating alcohol and creating a high-visibility presence at off-licences in partnership with the Get Home Safe project, our Regulatory Services team, Park Ranger Service and PSNI Deterring underage young people from buying alcohol from off-licences

Deterring adults from buying alcohol for young people

Preventing large crowds from gathering and reducing the potential risk of ASB

Building relationships between the council and PSNI
Incident reporting for staff and police Setting up new forms and systems to accurately capture the number and nature of antisocial incidents Sending out warning letters and antisocial behaviour contracts (ABCs)
Further action taken where necessary - for example, by enforcing park bye-laws or via ASB Forums Prosecuting offenders through our Legal Services Department, PSNI or ASB Forums

Use information to send warning letters and decide on ABCs or antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) 		Increasing the level of prosecutions taken

Implementing interventions in line with ASBO laws
Monthly meetings between the council and PSNI Discussing current issues and planning initiatives Encouraging effective joint action on issues and identifying them as they arise
Giving park keys to PSNI Allowing police to patrol the park Giving officers instant access to the park when needed

Maintaining a police presence in the park
Designing antisocial behaviour contracts (ABCs) for schools Act as an 'early intervention' method for schools Demonstrating to school pupils what is acceptable behaviour or what is not

Providing support to schools and pupils via our ASB co-ordinator
PSNI to stop using sirens when they answer calls   Reducing the chances of 'warning' those involved in antisocial behaviour

Dedicated police resource for parks during summer 2008 Allocating neighbourhood teams to parks on certain dates and times

Work with park rangers to co-ordinate visibility in hotspots

Reporting all ASB incidents to our ASB co-ordinator 		Increasing the visibility of agencies working to reduce ASB