On Wednesday (15th August) a number of local agencies came together to hold a successful Community Safety Day in West Denton.

Teams from the Fire and Rescue Service, Your Homes Newcastle, Northumbria Police and Safe Newcastle were out speaking to residents in West Denton about community safety and anti-social behaviour, with the Fire Service also undertaking home safety checks.

The Fire Service’s Outreach vehicle was located in Morrison’s car park with partners offering advice on all aspects of community safety. Denton and Westerhope Councillors Brian Hunter, Dan Greenhough and Melissa Davis joined partners at the Fire Outreach vehicle, alongside Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell.

Geoff Hagon, West Denton Station Manager at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:

‘The Community Safety event at West Denton was a huge success. We carried out more than 100 Home Safety Checks and made over 20 further referrals including a number for special sensory alarms. We were also fortunate to have the Fire and Police Cadets supporting the event, who all took part in a really effective litter pick.

‘The event provided us with the opportunity to speak to local businesses in the area with Newcastle City Council’s Safe Newcastle Team, where we had constructive discussions about day to day issues faced in the West Denton area.

‘We had excellent feedback from the many visitors to our Outreach Vehicle and were joined by Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell and Councillors Dan Greenhough, Melissa Davis and Brian Hunter. Thank you to all the partners who made the event such a success from our Service crews and volunteers, Your Homes Newcastle, Newcastle City Council and the Environment Agency.’

Catherine McKinnell MP commented:

‘It was a real privilege to join the Community Safety event in West Denton and to be able to support the proactive community engagement work of all the agencies involved. It is impressive to see such an effective joined up approach to addressing local challenges, and it is clear that they are making positive changes in the area.’

Councillor Dan Greenhough stated:

‘The Community Safety event was really important in showing our joined up approach to addressing issues, and it was great to see so many residents engaging with agencies.

‘Anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and has a real impact on residents. Denton and Westerhope Councillors have been working with the Police, Fire Service, Your Homes Newcastle and Safe Newcastle to seek to address these issues. As Councillors, we have also funded, via the Ward Committee, youth outreach work in the area to try to combat underlying issues and steer people away from anti-social behaviour.’