TELEVISION screens that show important crime, drug and safety information are set to be evaluated to find out the benefits of the scheme.
The evaluation of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership Television (SHTV) screens, installed at five primary locations across the town, took place at the end of June via a series of questionnaires.

Staff from the Partnership approached residents for their thoughts on the impact of the screens at the town’s Civic Centre, Bryon Hanson House, Mill House Leisure Centre, the Accident and Emergency Department in the University Hospital and Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.

If successful, the scheme which was launched earlier this year could be expanded to include more televisions sets and locations with the aim to continue and communicate key messages to the town.

The screens show rolling footage from partners under the Safer Hartlepool banner which include Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade North East and Hartlepool NHS Trust, Housing Hartlepool and other voluntary and statutory agencies.

Messages on the screens include potentially lifesaving fire safety advice, anti-social behaviour awareness, how to tackle criminal damage, domestic abuse information and neighbourhood policing details.

Crime and Disorder Coordinator for Safer Hartlepool Partnership, Brian Neale, said: “The television screens have been an exciting and innovative new tool for communicating with the wider public especially in relation to key safety messages.

“The primary aim was to alert people on the issues which could result in them becoming a victim of crime as well as giving us the chance to promote safety advice and details surrounding our partnership activities.

“This evaluation will find out how Hartlepool residents feel about the screens and the ideas behind them allowing us to examine the benefits of the scheme and how to improve their content in the future.”