Challenge
Merseyside Police approached us in 2007 to develop a summer-long campaign to reinstate pride in public spaces and to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Approach
We launched SafeSpace, an initiative to cover 23 parks with more police patrols. We explained details of the scheme to key media to deliver supportive comment and coverage across key regional titles for the duration of the campaign.
Results
SafeSpace led to a dramatic cut in crime throughout parks identified as ‘hotspots’. Crime such as theft from motor vehicles in Birkenhead Park reduced by 85 per cent and robberies in Wavertree Playground ceased to exist.
Police reported increased use of parks to spend leisure time and a change in the community’s perception of their local area as recreational space for all to enjoy.
