News Release
Spotlight on......Jarrow
Dated: 03 Feb 2010
Jarrow residents are being asked to step under the spotlight by becoming part of a new police and partner event.
Spotlight On......events are being introduced by South Tyneside Area Command as a new, multi-agency way of engaging with residents and listening to issues they feel should be made a priority in their neighbourhoods.
The first event will be Spotlight On......Jarrow, at Wilkinson Court tower block, next to the town hall, on Friday, February 5, from 5pm to 6pm.
Giving a different environment to the ongoing Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings, Spotlight On......Jarrow, will be held outdoors. And to draw in the crowds, a projector will be used to beam information from the police and their partners onto the tower block.
Residents will also be given a chance to meet their local Neighbourhood Policing Team as well as representatives from partner agencies. Any issues raised will be acted on and long term solutions sought.
If successful, the events will be rolled out across South Tyneside.
Ian King, Neighbourhood Inspector for Jarrow, said: "We are always looking for new and innovative ways of engaging with the public and Spotlight On......Jarrow promises to do just that.
"The projector will run throughout the event so residents can take in the information being beamed onto the tower block. But they will also be able to speak to officers and partners face to face and raise any concerns with us.
"I hope the event will offer people a more informal way of talking to us and that the use of the projector draws interest with not only those attending, but also passers-by who may not have been aware of the event.
"I would encourage all residents to be part of the first Spotlight On.......event for South Tyneside which will give them a chance to influence policing and partnership work focused on their neighbourhood."
Councillor Tom Hanson, Chair of the Jarrow Community Area Forum, added: "The Council works in partnership with the police to tackle crime and ant-social behaviour, but we can only succeed if we have the support of local people.
"Events like this are a great way of getting into the community to talk to people and listen to what they have to say.
"The projection is sure to catch the public's attention and I'd encourage people to get along and make a contribution."