A new Safer Hull Pod has arrived in Queen Victoria Square to provide people with support from a range of agencies.
The Safer Hull Community Safety Partnership has worked to deliver a new Pod in the city centre, providing access to a range of services and information and a visible reassurance to visitors in the city centre.
Hull City Council’s Neighbourhood Nuisance Team, Humberside Police, HullBID, Renew and Emmaeus will all operate from the Pod. Based initially in Queen Victoria Square, the Pod will be relocated to meet wider community safety issues where there is a need.
Councillor Mike Thompson, Portfolio Holder for neighbourhoods and communities said: “We are working in partnership, to create safe, healthy environments where people and businesses can thrive. As lockdown lifts we want to reassure people that the Pod is available to support the community and tackling vulnerability.”
Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Lee Edwards said: “This Pod will help us maintain a really clear visible presence in the community meaning that people can come and chat to representatives from each service about any concerns that they might have.
“With representatives from all the organisations that make up the Community Safety Partnership, people can come along for advice on a huge range of topics. Whether you’re wanting to report crime and antisocial behaviour, ask for fire safety advice, get information about agencies offering support to those in need or something else entirely, we will be happy to help wherever we can.”
Kathryn Shillito, Hull BID Executive Director, said: “City centre businesses have been reassured by the presence of the Pod previously, which provides an additional tier in keeping the city safe and secure. Anecdotally, we have received many comments about its effectiveness, as it offers a visual deterrent which discourages those out to cause disruption, but it also provides the general public with a greater sense of security.”
The Pod has been funded through the Safer Hull Partnership via a grant from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is part of wider work being developed by the Safer City Centre Group which is made up of statutory partners, HullBID, business and other key partners.
The Safer City Centre group has invested in an online information sharing tool for city centre business which is dove-tailing with the existing CCTV, BID radio and phone services with the aim of reducing business crime and antisocial behaviour in the city centre. There has been investment in targeted wrap around support for city centre rough sleepers, engagement events to prevent acquisitive crime and alcohol harm reduction and safety partner initiatives to tackle safety issues.
Keith Hunter, The Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner said: “My investment in Community Safety Partnerships was to ensure that communities were supported and that agencies were equipped to meet the needs of the local area. I welcome the arrival of the new Pod and wider investment in supporting businesses and vulnerable people in Hull, as these will undoubtedly help address crime and safety issues that often impact the city centre.”
