Just A Little Pep Talk Required!

Back in December I advocated the use of the new crimeline as it was being advertised around Wolverhampton. I have since been requesting some information as to its success. There appears to be a very mixed reaction to its development.
This is what I said back in December 2003

New Crime Helpline 6th December 2003
The cutting crime helpline will be available to residents in the City of Wolverhampton. Designed to provide advice on crime related issues, the helpline will try and signpost people to the right departments.

Councillor Phil Bateman said “the helpline is to support campaigns led by other agencies focussing on crime reduction by providing crime and community safety advice, for example guidance on dealing with bogus callers, general homes or personal security information.

The helpline is 01902 556330 or alternatively helpline@cut-crime.fsnet.co.uk"
Back now to today However whilst there is some success in the fact that a small budget has enabled some publicity and marketing there appears to be a delay in trying to achieve the original plan. Which was to integrate the helpline and provide a quick and easy link for people who community safety advice.
Crime and the deterring of crime is one of the Wolverhampton City Councils controlling Labour Party’s main manifesto planks. We do need to ensure that these schemes work adequately and that every initiative is working to its optimum. This appears not to be the case at present. I am not looking at this just to be critical. But this issue is a big one for all of us.
Finally it does seem a little silly to launch a help line with one e-mail address and change it after just a few months. The correct and latest help line number is cut.crime@ukonline.co.uk .

I am informed that there have been just 140 calls since the scheme opened on 7th January. While still very early to judge it is nevertheless a number that gives the impression that it is not too widely known. I hope that the Cabinet on the City Council will review the scheme and perhaps give a pep talk to the co-ordinating department and ensure it becomes the priority that the manifesto set out to create.

I hope that this is not seen to be too much of a criticism but we cannot allow valuable schemes like this to drain away losing its sparkle because no one is championing it!”