SECURITY SUCCESS

Article from the Liverpool Echo

Overview

This article describes how St Helens council contacted us, in an attempt to cut out arson and vandalism. Peter Quinlivan, MD of Crime Management Services.

Security success

A PRIVATE security firm is patrolling a Merseyside estate to protect derelict properties. Officers from Crime Management Services are keeping watch on the Wargrave estate in Newton-le-Willows, where 190 houses are due to be pulled down.

They have been contracted by St Helens council in an attempt to cut out arson and vandalism common in areas with large numbers of empty properties.

Fire chiefs this week blamed the amount of derelict properties for Merseyside having the worst record in the country for malicious blazes.

The officers patrol the estate in the evening warning off gangs acting suspiciously. They carry fire extinguishers and are trained in first aid and evacuation procedures. They do not have powers of detention but officers can call the police or fire service. The scheme is on trial for two weeks but organisers hope it will be extended.

Peter Quinlivan, senior crime prevention officer for the Liverpool-based firm, believes such projects would work in other areas or Merseyside.

He said “We are there to make sure everything is okay and the scheme has proved to be very successful. If there is something happening, we can deal with it straight away and take away little jobs from the police. Residents have been asking us to go by their properties.

If the youths see the vehicles they tend to just go. A scheme like this is something we have been waiting for a long time. ”

Jan Dowie, assistant secretary of the Wargrave community association, said “We asked for this because there are so many empty properties and demolition areas. It makes us feel a lot safer, their presence acts as a deterrent.”