A pioneering Met Police-led initiative as launched yesterday (Tuesday, 14 June) to help vulnerable people - mainly with disabilities - in the borough.
It is being backed by around 30 statutory, voluntary and charitable organisations which support people with physical and ‘hidden disabilities’ as well as those that look after other vulnerable people.
The campaign, which seeks to provide help and advice to members of the community least likely to make contact with police officers, is the largest initiative of its kind in Sutton Borough and possibly in London too.
- starting to mentor up to 90 people with disabilities and vulnerabilities to help build their confidence in speaking to police and encouraging them to speak out if they have been abused
- being trained by experts who work in this specialist field from Sutton Mencap, Victim Support, Orchard Hill College and Sutton Centre for Independent Living & Learning (SCILL)
- taking a lead with partner organisations including Go-Ahead London, the capital’s largest bus company, in running two dedicated ‘Support Days’ at the Sutton Life Centre during Hate Crime Week (10-16 October).
In addition, the initiative involves the distribution of 10,000 ‘Support Cards’ to people with disabilities and vulnerable members of the community. These cards are to be shown on contact with a police officer to help explain how their vulnerability or behaviour may impair their communication or impact on the way they behave.
Officers from Sutton’s Safer Transport Team will continue to help staff the ‘Bus Disability Days’ which are run during term time by Sutton Community Transport to give people with disabilities more confidence when travelling by public transport.
Through the Safer Sutton Partnership Service, the Met Police, Sutton Council and the coalition of partner organisations are seeking to help people with both physical and ‘hidden disabilities’ such as autism and ADHD as well as people who have become vulnerable through age and age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons diseases.
An ‘Insight Report’ published in April 2016 by independent charity Victim Support based on an analysis of the Crime Survey for England and Wales found that people with a limiting disability or illness are at greater risk of suffering violence with injury than they were ten years ago. Their research showed that the proportion of people with a limiting disability or illness who were victims of violence with injury increased by 3.7 per cent compared to a fall of 48 per cent for the non-disabled population.
The research also found that people with a limiting disability or illness are twice as likely to suffer violence without injury, 1.6 times more likely to be a victim of personal theft and 1.4 times more likely to be a victim of household theft compared with adults without a limiting disability.
In their report Victim Support stated: “It is essential that professionals working with the disabled, including those working in health, social care and the justice system, are made aware of the increased risks to this group and know the sources of support and information available to them, should they fall victim to violence.”
Sutton Mencap advise that people with learning disabilities are most likely to feel at risk of being abused and victimised by others on a bus, in a busy street, at a venue like a cinema or at home – where they could be taken advantage of by other people.
A total of 30 voluntary, charity and educational organisations were approached to nominate candidates for the mentor scheme – candidates who are most likely to benefit from being paired with a local Safer Neighbourhoods Police Constable or Police Community Support Officer. The mentor scheme could involve officers visiting the participant as part of their routine patrols, giving a talk to their local group or taking telephone calls from them as and when they need advice.
In Sutton, reports of disability hate crimes numbered just 11 between 2011-2015. During this period the highest number of reports was four during 2015 – a rise from one in 2013 and two in 2014. Hate crime, which encompasses religion or faith, race, sexual orientation or gender identity as well as disability, is under reported across the country.
Police in Sutton are keen to see an increase in hate crime reporting among people with disabilities, which is particularly low. The intention is to increase reporting of hate crime, increase convictions and reduce repeat victimisation as well as increase trust and confidence in policing.
Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Borough Commander, Sutton, said: “Everyone has the right to be treated fairly and receive justice. We want our police officers to understand more about the lives of people with physical and learning difficulties and the discrimination they can face – and to do everything we can to work with them and help them.
“We believe this is the largest initiative of its kind by the Met Police anywhere in London to help and support people with disabilities and vulnerable people,” he added.
Glenn Woodman, Manager, Sutton Bus Garage, said: “Our drivers at Sutton Garage play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of people whose mobility is impaired. Bus travel is often the only means of transport fully accessible to this group and our staff receive regular training to ensure a very high level of travel experience for this community.
“The company has also developed a pro-active partnership with the local Police and Sutton Community Transport in promoting ‘Bus Disability Days’. These local events highlight some of the issues faced by the less able bodied. Go-Ahead London, a major provider of public transport in Sutton, is therefore pleased to be associated with the Metropolitan Police’s latest awareness initiative.”
Ian Richardson, Board of Trustees, SCILL said: “I welcome the pilot project that the Met Police is putting in place for people with disabilities and other vulnerable people in our society. I wish the pilot project to be a successful venture.”
David Hobday, Director, Sutton Mencap, said: “We are very excited to be part of this initiative. We want people with a learning disability to feel safe in the community. By working with the police and other agencies, we can help improve awareness of the challenges faced by people with a learning disability, and boost the confidence of people to report their concerns to the police.”
Caption: Borough Commander Dave Stringer with Glenn Woodman, Manager, Sutton Bus Garage