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Great Yarmouth residents are calling on the crime commissioner to improve safety

Posted on by Online Niel
Great Yarmouth residents are calling on the crime commissioner to improve safety

BBC An aerial view of Great Yarmouth's waterfront. The view shows the Marina Center, a large blue building with "Marina Center" with large white letters on one side. To the right is the beach and to the left is a mix of commercial buildings, hotels and residences. BBC

People in Great Yarmouth say shoplifting has become a big problem and can be ‘intimidating’

Residents in a seaside town have urged police and the county’s crime commissioner (PCC) to take action to help them feel safer.

People in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, told the BBC they fear violence and retail crime is getting worse.

Norfolk PCC and Labor councilor on Breckland Council Sarah Taylor said she was “distressed to hear” Chancellor’s Budget on 30 October which could determine how the local police were funded.

In August, Norfolk Police Chief Paul Sanford said the force he needed more money to address changing crime trends.

Andrew Turner/BBC Amy Newey smiles directly at the camera. He has long black hair and wears a blue hoodie. She stands next to Poundland in Great Yarmouth, where there are orange pedestrian barriers on the street due to earthworks.Andrew Turner/BBC

Amy Newey says she feels “pretty safe” in the city and trusts the police

Amy Newey, 18, from Great Yarmouth, said: “I feel quite safe in Great Yarmouth as I know there are lots of people to help me, such as the police, colleagues and family.

“I’m aware of the crimes, like a couple of stabbings we’ve had in Yarmouth recently and all the burglars.

“(Police) are there to help with all of that.”

Andrew Turner/BBC David Cowling sits next to his wife Frances Cowling, 79. They both look directly at the camera and smile. They both have gray hair. He wears a black woolen jacket, a polo shirt with a blue collar and a red T-shirt. She wears a taupe fleece top with a pink necklace and a pink knit top. He has his hand on her left shoulder. They shot outside on a shopping street. Andrew Turner/BBC

David Cowling and his wife Frances say they would not visit Great Yarmouth at night

Frances Cowling, 79, and her husband David, 85, from Ormesby St Margaret, Norfolk, said that while they felt safe in their home village, they felt less safe in Great Yarmouth.

“It’s definitely (worse now),” Ms Cowling said.

“Apparently there are mindless stabbings that people didn’t seem to do back in the day.”

Mr Cowling said he wanted to see a greater police presence in the towns.

“I feel very safe in our village, but there is such a mix of people in the cities these days that we are not too happy to come to the city,” he added.

“We certainly wouldn’t go in at night.”

Andrew Turner/BBC Jane Hare is pictured standing outside the British Heart Foundation shop, which had a red sign on the front with white lettering. She wears an olive green quilted jacket and a matching knit top. She has a black bag strap over her right shoulder and has shoulder-length light brown hair. Other people are walking near her.Andrew Turner/BBC

Jane Hare wants to see more police on the streets of Great Yarmouth

Jane Hare, 65, from Great Yarmouth, works in a charity shop and said the theft was a common occurrence.

“We have a lot of problems with shoplifting, but we don’t call the police because we don’t think they’ll do anything,” she said.

“It’s intimidating and I get angry; very upset because there is nothing we can do about it and it is getting worse.

“I think we should have more patrols around town.”

Andrew Turner/BBC Dawn Henney, wearing prescription sunglasses, an Arran-style knit top and a green parka jacket with a hood lined with faux fur. She stands in the square in Great Yarmouth, where other people walk or cycle past.Andrew Turner/BBC

Dawn Henney has lived in Great Yarmouth for more than 40 years

Dawn Henney, 64, said the level of crime in Great Yarmouth had worsened over the years.

“I don’t feel safe in Norfolk. I don’t go out after dark, not even to walk my dog,” she added.

“I think (police) should focus on putting more (officers) on the ground. There are too many (crime); people being attacked, knife murders, bag snatching, that sort of thing.

“I think they should put some ex-armies on the street to help them.

“I don’t mind paying more taxes to feel safer.”

Jo Thewlis/BBC A smiling Sarah Taylor looks directly at the camera, with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a floral top and black jacket with a red rosette. She sits in a white building and has a large atrium behind her.Jo Thewlis/BBC

Sarah Taylor was elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk in May

Otuekong Asukwo, 34, from Great Yarmouth, said: “I would say securing the lives and properties of citizens (is the priority).

When asked if he felt safe living in Norfolk, he replied: “Of course.”

“I didn’t really have any encounters with the police or direct treatment, so I didn’t have any problems or negative responses.”