ISLE Of Wight Council working with partner organisations including the police has hailed the latest CREW Week in West Wight as a great success.
Council trading standards officers “test purchased” nine shops selling alcohol and tobacco in Yarmouth, Freshwater and Totland during the week and were pleased to find that no premises sold the age restricted products to under aged people who tried to buy them on behalf of the council.
Along with the test purchasing, ten dogs were electronically “chipped” during the week in a scheme designed to help people trace their missing pets.
Around 200 people also attended a hard hitting “crash scene” event in central Freshwater where emergency crews “rescued” trapped victims from vehicles and dealt with casualties.
There was a five-a-side football tournament held at Freshwater M.U.G.A. and police with drugs dogs also patrolled the Freshwater area.
Community Support Officers from the council were on hand throughout the week with their trailer being parked in Moa Place.
Community works were also done with young offenders.
CREW weeks or Crime Reduction and Environment Weeks are a well established initiative across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
They balance enforcement and positive projects such as truancy sweeps and licensing issues and are a chance for the whole community to take part in a number of events.
Simon Dennis from Isle of Wight Council’s Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership said: “Once again, we have demonstrated how successfully partner agencies can work together to deliver a successful event on the Island.
“The Freshwater and Totland CREW has been super – particularly the crash scene event which attracted over 200 residents and had a great impact on the community.”
Councillor Diana Tuson Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for safer communities said: “CREW Weeks are an excellent example of various agencies on the Isle of Wight joining forces to make a difference in the local community.
“I am delighted that they are proving to be so successful and look forward to further events across the Island in the future.”
