Community engagement event hopes to reduce crime in Gloucestershire
It's being hosted by national charity Redeeming Our Communities
A community engagement event taking place in Cheltenham hopes to reduce crime in Gloucestershire.
Police, civic leaders, schools, local charities, the fire service residents and a whole raft of organisations will come together tomorrow evening to link problems with solutions.
It's being hosted by national charity Redeeming Our Communities (ROC).
Who are ROC?
Their main aim is to bring about community transformation.
They bring together various agencies and encourage them to work together to solve community issues, which mainly focus on the reduction of crime and disorder.
Debra Green, director of ROC, said: "What the event is really is an opportunity to celebrate the good work which goes on in communities.
"But then to go a little bit further we will identify gaps in social provision or social issue which haven't been fully addressed.
"We then look at those gaps around things to do with crime and safety in particular, we then look at how we can galvanise the community to come up with ideas and solutions."
It also helps link those who are in need of something, for example a room to hold a weekly group session, with someone who may be able to provide it.
The charity has hosted around 250 events since in began in 2004 - and it's usually unknown what subjects are going to be raised.
Watch this video to find out more about what to expect in Cheltenham
However, tomorrow's even in Cheltenham is taking a focus on the Golden Valley Development, the UK's focal point of cyber security which is set to be built opposite GCHQ in the coming years.
ROC were approached by a group of residents and faith leaders who want to ensure the community is also placed at the heart of the development to ensure people can thrive and co-exist in the space by having access to community hubs.
This hopes to secure equal access to community resources for everyone and to ensure crime and disorder is not increased due to a lack of facilities.
Debra continued: "You can build new developments, new housing and office space but the community also needs spaces.
"Whether it becomes a community hub or other things like that, it's important to consult with the community what they need.
"So this group which approached us that are looking at what that could look like felt that a community conversation was most needed."
Other areas which are set to be addressed are women's safety - the Cheltenham Guardians are expected to be in attendance in the hopes of raising more awareness of the issue and work with others to provide solutions to the ongoing saga.
Other discussion are thought to be had around poverty, taking care of the environment and supporting one another in the community, all of which are proven to help reduce crime.
The event is taking place at the YMCA Sports Hall in Cheltenham between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday 21st September - and everyone is invited.