Police 'adopt' WDH apartment blocks in Wakefield

Published by Richard Lord for Wakefield & District Housing in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Wakefield city centre apartment blocks will be ‘adopted’ by a team of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as part of a new initiative between landlords Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) and West Yorkshire Police.

WDH Tenancy Support Officer PC Bernie Caulfield and Inspector Richard Close from Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have devised a scheme called ‘Adopt an Apartment Block’ to put the local bobby back on the beat.

Each of the seven high rise blocks will have a photo and contact details of a PCSO specially assigned for that building displayed in the entrance for residents to use, while the officers will have key fobs to gain access if required during regular patrols.

PCSOs will be enforcing alcohol exclusion zones, monitoring illegal parking, preventing anti-social behaviour and liaising with local residents to gather information to report to the police, WDH and Wakefield Council if necessary.

PC Caulfield said: “Adopt an Apartment Block is about putting that friendly face back into the community as a point of contact for the local residents to build positive relationships with. It will increase confidence across the city centre because they will have a chance to get to know their local officer.

“The PCSOs will work with WDH Estate Officers and Caretakers to offer an extra presence in the community. WDH has done a lot of work to improve the apartments in recent years by modernising them and installing security measures like CCTV.

“We are not resting on our laurels. This initiative is designed to protect and complement that work and keep the areas crime free zones.”

There are over 430 residents who live in Warren House, Tudor House, Trinity House, Carr House, Manor House, Greenwood House and Primrose House in Wakefield’s city centre.

Carr House resident Maureen Wood, 82, said: “It means a lot to me and the residents here because people are always conscious of police presence. This way we’ll get to see a familiar face and have another point of contact if we ever need any help. I think it’s a fabulous idea.”

Neighbour Julienne Aboudi, 33, said: “I enjoy living here because it’s quiet, so something like this can only help to keep the neighbourhood a nice, safe place to live.”

PCSO Phillip Brocklesby of the Wakefield Central NPT said: “This is very much at the heart of what we are all about as a neighbourhood policing team, working with partners to tackle local issues effectively and being a recognised familiar face for residents to turn to when they need help.”