More than 2,100 households across the Isle of Wight have benefitted from the Blue Lamp Trust’s Bobby Scheme, which is celebrating 10 years in operation locally.
It was in 2013 that the Trust expanded its service to cover vulnerable and elderly residents on the Isle of Wight. Since then, over 2,127 properties have been visited with 1,431 smoke alarms and 903 carbon monoxide detectors fitted. More than 250 community engagements have also been carried out.
Visits by trained, police-vetted fitters are carried out, free of charge, to those over 60, disabled adults and victims of burglary, domestic abuse and repeat home crime. During each visit a full crime prevention and fire safety survey is completed.
Both general and specific crime and fire prevention advice is given to improve home safety and, when appropriate, locks, spy-holes, door chains, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted. Key safes and Ring doorbells are also supplied and fitted.
The true impact of the Trust’s work on the Island has been summed up by the story of a domestic abuse victim. Following a referral in September 2022, the Bobby Scheme visited Hollie.
Police reported that Hollie was feeling harassed by her ex-partner. She lives in a top-floor flat but didn’t feel safe staying there and had to move in with her parents. Hollie wanted support to ensure that her flat was secure to prevent any unwanted access from her ex-partner and to help her feel safe to stay there once more.
A fitter visited Hollie and provided advice on how to keep herself safe in the property. The front door lock was changed, a security jammer was fitted to the letterbox and a glassguard alarm was also fitted the front door. Hollie also took the fitter’s advice and installed a Ring Doorbell.
Having had no contact with the offender since the Police warned him off in September 2022, Hollie received unexpected contact from him in August this year. Initially, she panicked but then she took a moment and realised that with the measures put in place, she was safe in her flat and didn’t need to run to her parents to be safe.
Hollie was very grateful to have had the Safe and Secure visit from the Bobby Scheme and to now feel safe in her own home.
Referrals to the Bobby Scheme can be made via the website at https://www.bluelamptrust.org.uk/bobbyscheme-landingpage/ or by calling 0300 777 0157 opt 1.
