NeSTs

NeST stands for Neighbourhood Safety Team. NeSTs are one of the key crime reduction activities of the Swindon Community Safety Partnership Team.

The ideal behind a NeST is to enable local people to identify community safety concerns for their area and work with representatives from the Council, Police and other agencies to find local solutions.

They do not provide a quick fix to problems but they do provide an opportunity for local representatives to work together to help improve the quality of life for residents.

The first NeST was established in 1999 and, at present, the Community Safety Partnership Team has NeST groups covering:

• Gorse Hill
• Penhill
• Toothill and Westlea
• Freshbrook and Grange Park
• Haydon Wick
• Parks
• Walcot East
• Walcot West
• Pinehurst

Each group meets once every two months.

NeSTs focus on particular issues for identified community areas - issues that are relevant to one NeST may be completely different from another NeST.

Why NeSTs were Set-up

The British Crime Survey indicates Swindon has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, but what the partnership finds is that people living and working in Swindon have a disproportionate fear of crime. NeSTs seek to address this fear by circulating factual and objective data.

Who Can Get Involved

NeSTs are not open public meetings but anyone who represents their community or provides a local service in some way is encouraged to join.

For instance shopkeepers, head teachers, school governors, neighbourhood watch co-ordinators, anyone who is able to represent a community group/club or a representative for their street may attend.

The group will also consist of local councillors, the police and other relevant council officers such as youth workers, the housing department and other officers when applicable. Agencies such as housing associations and faith groups can also be represented.

Why You Might Volunteer

Ultimately NeSTs need local people to identify the problems that affect them day to day and to be working together to find solutions that are going to work.

NeSTs set up so far have been really positive and have tackled issues such as graffiti, drugs misuse, vehicle crime and providing activities for young people. And NeSTs have a voice that is able to influence the decision-makers.

NeST Activities Already Under Way

Here are some of the activities the NeSTs across Swindon have already undertaken:

• Produced and distributed Crackdown on Crime cards
• Successfully negotiated and sought funding for the recycling of bus shelters to be used as youth shelters
• Produced and distributed Fear of Crime surveys
• Promotion of CCTV and lighting in some of the NeST areas
• Launched Walcot East Good Neighbour agreement
• Organised Community Clean Up Days
• Vehicle Crime Campaign undertaken
• Hosted a NeST Action Day for all the NeSTs to come together to share ideas and information
• Organised and promoted community coffee mornings to provide information about community safety
• Provided a forum for community consultation and engagement
• Enabled NeST representatives to attend Neighbourhood Action Day in London
• Distributed information on drugs misuse and needle safety
• Promoted good relationships between local schools and residents

Strengths

The strength of a NeST lies in and relies on the contribution and support it receives from local people.

NeSTs in Swindon have many issues that they are still working on together to resolve and are currently involved in various projects.

Further Information/Contact

If you would like to become involved in a group that wants to make their neighbourhood a safer place, or you have an issue or problem you would like to bring to the attention of the NeSTs, please contact:

Jane Dudley
NeST Development Worker
Swindon Community Safety Partnership Team
4th Floor
Premier House
Station Road
Swindon
SN1 1TZ

Tel: 01793 466473
E-mail: jdudley@swindon.gov.uk