New Joined-Up Unit For Community Safety In Dover District

A new-look Community Safety Unit based at Dover District Council offices in Whitfield is launched today, as the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, which has been running for 3 years, forms closer links with Kent Police to create an enhanced service. This is in response to the public continuing to place community safety at the forefront of priorities.

Police Officers and staff are working alongside Council staff and KCC wardens to co-ordinate and deal with community safety issues affecting the district, including investigating anti-social behaviour. The new unit aims to build on the very good work and established relationships formed over the last three years. The Community Safety Unit has been set up to address community safety issues on a partnership basis, using a broad range of expertise. This involves liaising with the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Neighbourhood Constables, KCC wardens, all teams at DDC and any agency or organisation able to assist in resolving community safety issues.

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Citizenship, said: "Dover District Council continues to work closely with partners in the community to tackle anti-social behaviour and ensure community safety. This enhanced unit reinforces this work and will help coordinate joined-up work to help ensure quality of life is maintained across the district."

Chief Inspector Roy Cottam, said: "Kent Police are committed to working in partnership with Dover District Council. I am proud of the unit, which has been set up to address community safety issues, which are important to our communities. The unit is already working well together and has tackled some difficult issues."

Nadeem Aziz, DDC Chief Executive and Chairman of the Dover Community Safety Partnership, said: "We are working hard with residents and all partners in the community to make sure the district remains a safe place to live, work and visit."

The unit is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays, and has an answer phone facility outside that time. The Unit may be contacted on 01304 872220 or by email at csu@dover.gov.uk or fax 01304 872168. The Community Safety Unit is not an emergency service. For an emergency response please call 999, or 01304 240055 for other police involvement. If you want to report anything anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.