Slough Borough Council’s home improvement agency (SHIA) is celebrated on June 18, after installing its 1,000th free burglar alarm to the over 60s.
Celebrations of the 1,000th burglar alarm fitted.The Homesafe scheme, which has been running since December 2006, is provided by Slough Borough Council with Age Concern Slough, Thames Valley Police and Response Electronics.
In recognition of the 1,000th alarm installation, the council’s chief executive, Ruth Bagley, along with Age Concern’s chief executive, Tracy Morgan and commissioner for health and wellbeing, Cllr Chrissy Small, made a presentation to the 1,000th customers, Mr and Mrs Wade of Humber Way.
The Homesafe scheme offers elderly, disabled and vulnerable members of the community the opportunity to have a burglar alarm installed completely free of charge.
To qualify for an alarm, elderly residents have to be referred to the scheme. Referrals come into the SHIA team from a variety of sources, but particularly when residents have reported a burglary or attempted burglary to Thames Valley Police. In these cases, an alarm system is usually fitted within 24 hours.
Ruth Bagley, chief executive of Slough Borough Council, said: “This is the latest innovative scheme run by the Slough Improvement Agency, which is recognised as being one of the best agencies in the country.
“I am sure this has helped to significantly reduce burglaries in certain areas of Slough, and also offers piece of mind to the residents the scheme has helped.”
Tracy Morgan, chief executive, Age Concern Slough, said: “We are proud to be associated with this fantastic initiative and look forward to continuing our award winning partnership with Slough Borough Council’s Home Improvement Agency.”
Cllr Chrissy Small, commissioner for health and wellbeing, said: “I’m really pleased that the Homesafe scheme has taken off. To have 1,000 residents fitted with a new security alarm since the beginning of 2007, means that many potential burglaries have been prevented.
“The scheme provides our more vulnerable residents with a secure and safe environment in which to live, and helps to improve the overall safety of our neighbourhoods.”
Slough Borough Council.
