Fire engine will help promote safer streets initiative in Mansfield

This project is part of the Safer4All funding provided by the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, where plans were put in place to make people safe and feel safer on the streets of Nottinghamshire.

The decision to use funding to cover Mansfield district came from a rise in anti-social behaviour on the Oak Tree estate in the past few years.

A fire engine has now been wrapped with branded artwork and is out in the community in the hope it will contribute towards the prevention of the issues Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has been facing.

Gemma Hardie, NFRS district prevention officer, said: “We take deliberate fire setting very seriously at NFRS, so are proud to be working with our partners on this project to help tackle these issues in Mansfield and over the rest of the county.

“Having our fire engine from Mansfield wrapped in this design means we can hopefully educate our communities and take further steps to keeping people and the environment safe.

“Although we have already seen a huge reduction of deliberate fires since the start of the Safer Streets project, we want to remind people anyone can report information on deliberate fire setting anonymously to FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558.”

Caroline Henry, commissioner, said: “It’s fantastic to hear about this trailblazing work being done to capture people’s attention and raise awareness surrounding antisocial behaviour across Mansfield.

“NFRS plays a vital role alongside Nottinghamshire Police to ensure our people feel safe and are safe in their own communities.”

Coun Angie Jackson, Mansfield Council portfolio holder for wellbeing, health and safer communities, said: “Although the Safer4All project is coming to an end, I’m pleased we have had some fantastic results to shout about in the Oak Tree area.

"Some of this success can be attributed to the increased presence of the fire service, education work carried out in schools and the apprehension of offenders.

“I hope the new artwork on this fire engine will help to reiterate the message to residents that progress has been made and also help to prevent future ASB issues arising.”