Families enjoy park after police see large reduction in crime at The Level, Brighton

Parents and children went to The Level for an engagement day as police told of a 62 per cent drop in reported crime. 

The park, in Union Road, Brighton, historically has faced issues of criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and drug activity. 

One major change has been the introduction of a new police hub which is open for people to visit and speak with officers every day.

PC Jamie Botting has helped bring in these changes, along with PCSO Hannah Stevens who patrols the area as part of her beat. 

PC Botting and PCSO Stevens

PC Botting said: “It’s all about coming together and tackling any issues down here, and it’s worked. 

“We’ve had a 62 per cent decrease in reported crime in the last two months.”

PC Botting is part of a joint action group involving the council and local partners and following reports of an increase in crime they came up with a plan on how to tackle it.

He said:  “I sat down with Hannah and she came up with the idea of increasing the engagement down here, and she wanted to put on a community event involving all the community partners. 

“The hub was the first thing I actioned, so out of the joint action group we work with city parks, who gave us permission to use that building and then with the data we got from our analyst we put together a control plan. 

“It’s talking to people, getting to know what the issues are, what the good bits are and relaying any messages back to the council and working together to tackle it.”

PCSO Stevens’ work at the park came about due to the reported issues in the area.

She said: “We either get given or create a ‘problem profile’ which is somewhere you can dedicate your attention to so you can create things like this. 

“Even in a month we’ve had a decrease in crime.

“It hasn’t just been us, the council has helped as well, and our field officers who also do patrols, we all work together.

“It’s lovely to see The Level being used for what it should be, which is for families.”

As well as aiming to deter crime in the area, police say they also want to be able to answer queries people have and “continue to build a positive relationship” with young people.

The event on Saturday had teams from across the emergency services and youth club workers attending to speak to residents.

There was a large turn out and children were engaging with activities and exploring emergency vehicles. 

One parent, Max Smith who lives nearby said: “I think it’s educational, especially with the emergency services that are here for the little ones to have a look at, see what they do and what their job entails.

“My son wants to be a policeman now.”

Zoe and Max Smith and their children

Sam and Lowen

Sam and her son Lowen were busy exploring the police car on Saturday. 

Sam, from Hove said: “He loved being on the quad bike, Lowen wants to be a police person so it’s great for him. 

“I think it’s good for the kids because you’re teaching them about right and wrong and what the police do, being safe with fire hazards.

“It’s a chance to get up close and personal.”

PC Botting hopes that the police and its community partners will be able to put on similar events in the future across Brighton as they continue to take action against crime in the city.