Ten years ago the Blue Lamp Trust expanded their service to cover the vulnerable and elderly residents on the Isle of Wight, with a fitter working two days a week on the Island carrying out our free Safe and Secure visits.
Over the past ten years we have visited over 2,127 properties on the Island, fitted 1,431 smoke alarms, 903 carbon monoxide detectors and carried out over 250 community engagements such as talk to community groups and attending community events.
Free service
Our visits are free to over 60s, disabled adults and victims of; burglary, domestic abuse and repeat home crime. A full crime prevention and fire safety survey is carried out by one of our trained, police-vetted fitters.
They will provide both general and specific crime and fire prevention advice to improve home safety and when appropriate fit a range of items such as locks, spy-holes, door chains, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This service is completely free of charge.
In addition we can supply and fit police approved Key Safes and Ring Doorbells, however there is a charge for these items due to the cost to purchase.
Real-world story
The true impact of our work was summed up by the story of a domestic abuse victim. We visited Hollie following a referral in September 2022.
Police reported:
“She was feeling harassed by her ex-partner. She lives in a top floor flat, however she doesn’t currently feel safe to stay there and has had to move in with her parents. Hollie would like some support to ensure that her flat is secure to prevent any unwanted access from her ex partner and to help her feel safe to stay there once more.”
Reassurance of safety
We visited Hollie and provided advice on how to keep herself safe in the property. The front door lock was changed, a security jammer fitted to the letterbox and a glassguard alarm fitted the front door. Hollie also took the fitters advice and installed a Ring Doorbell.
Having had no contact from the offender since the Police warned him off in September 2022 Hollie received unexpected contact from him in August 2023. Initially she panicked, but then she took a moment and realised that with the measures put in place she was safe in her flat and didn’t need to run to her parents to be safe.
Hollie was very grateful to have had the visit and to now feel safe in her own home.
Referrals to the Bobby Scheme can be made via our website or by calling 0300 777 0157 opt 1.
News shared by Emma on behalf of Blue Lamp Trust. Ed
