08 February 2011
A new public information pillar has been installed in Canterbury city centre. The pillar has three panels which will display safety and crime prevention messages, with the notices to be changed quarterly.
Initially the pillar will give details of where victims of domestic abuse can go for help, staying safe on a night out and how to report crime anonymously.
The pillar is a Canterbury Community Safety Partnership initiative. It is the first Public Information Pillar in Kent, although other safety partnerships, police forces and other organisations already have them in other parts of the country.
Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority, unveiled the pillar, which is situated in St George’s Lane, near to bus station and Fenwicks. Also attending the launch were the High Sheriff of Canterbury and Canterbury City Council’s portfolio holder for Community Safety councillor Peter Vickery-Jones.
Canterbury City Council’s Community Safety Manager Doug Rattray said: 'We are always looking at new and creative ways to communicate with residents of Canterbury and the best ways to get community safety messages across to the public. This is in a central location with thousands of people walking by each day so the pillar will be seen by many people as they do their shopping and head to or from the bus station. The pillar is a great way to get people’s attention and give them information they need. We think it will be a very effective tool.
'The pillar will be regularly updated to address current community issues.'
Anne Lyttle, from the Rising Sun Domestic Violence Project, said she was pleased that one of the panels features information about domestic abuse, as it would help victims to know where to go for help.
She said: “One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime and an average of two women every week are killed by former or current partners. This issue affects families across the social and economic groups and across cultures. Accounting for almost a quarter of all recorded violent crime, domestic abuse has risen steadily up the Government agenda with a recognition that it necessitates an inter-agency response.
'In recognition of the damaging effects domestic violence has on families, children and communities the Canterbury Community Safety Partnership identified domestic violence as a strategic priority. The Rising Sun Domestic Violence project, is working in partnership with the various agencies to aim at preventing and reducing repeat victimisation and increasing service provision for this terrible ill in our society.'
Ann Barnes, Chair of Kent Police Authority, welcomed the initiative. She said: 'We are always eager to make sure that people have as much information as possible to help them in their hours of need. There will be hundreds of people walking past the pillar everyday and I hope they will take the time to stop and read the information on display. This is a first for Kent Police and we are really pleased to be a part of this excellent new initiative.'