In safe Hands...
The award was presented to the C.A.S.E.D Network, which comprises of a partnership between, town centre businesses, Doncaster Council, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. C.A.S.E.D, (Creating A Safer Environment In Doncaster) began in May 2003 with the appointment of retired Police Inspector Ray Knowles as Co-ordinator. It continues to grow and now has more than 128 members and proves extremely effective in targeting town centre crime.

Ray Knowles, was delighted with the achievement, "The results we have seen so far have been really encouraging not only for shoppers and visitors but for the overall image of Doncaster Town Centre. I hope other towns and cities recognise the benefits a scheme like C.A.S.E.D can bring into any area."

How does it work...?
C.A.S.E.D. members are linked by radio to South Yorkshire Police CCTV control room and to the town centre police officers. These links allow shared knowledge and a pro-active approach to reducing crime in the town centre. When known offenders are recognised licensed premises alert each other and give out the individual's movements. This seriously reduces the opportunities offenders have to commit crime.

Through recent links with the Anti Social Behaviour Unit, C.A.S.E.D provided evidence, which resulted in a persistent offender receiving three and a half years imprisonment for breach of an Anti Social Behaviour Order. Monthly meetings allow all members to view recent photographs of persistent offenders. C.A.S.E.D even operates an exclusion notice scheme, which bans offenders from entering any member's premises. Different aspects like these have produced an amazing turn around in crime figures for Doncaster.

All members are please with the networks growing success, Vicky, manger of a town centre lingerie store said, "Since joining C.A.S.E.D, we have reduced our stock losses from 10% to 0.8% proving how effective such a scheme can be. The radio link also gives added protection to me and my employees."
Mark Davison manager of MK1 said, "Membership of CASED has helped us reduce our stock losses by over 66%."

The facts speak for themselves...

Robbery? ...Down 43%	Burglary? ...Down 11.2%	Drugs? ...Down 16%
Theft? ...Down 10.5%	Violence Against the Person? ...Down 4.2%