| Safer Communities |
Reducing crime and people's fear of crime and anti-social behaviour is vital
to creating a long-term, sustainable future. The Big Plan consultation and
other recent surveys confirm that tackling crime and making communities safer
is one of the top three things people want to see improved.
We face some significant challenges in the district. Some violent crime such as
assault is still far too high. Anti-social and nuisance behaviour continues to
blight both individuals and local communities, whilst misuse of both alcohol
and drugs, continues to play a significant part in too many crimes - particularly
domestic violence.
But perhaps the toughest challenge of all is the need to improve public
confidence in our ability to deliver safety and security in our communities and
make sure that people's prosperity and wellbeing are not threatened by crime,
anti-social behaviour or violent extremism of any kind. As well as continuing to
reduce crime, we must make sure that we are responding to the issues people
care most about, and that our work together is really visible to communities
across the district.
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| Our Long-term Ambitions for Safer Communities |
By 2020, people will experience low levels of crime and fear of crime. We want
the district to be a place where people are safe and feel safe at home, at work,
at school and in the street. Public confidence in our ability to protect them from
serious harm will be high. People from all communities will feel part of an
integrated and equal society. Our distinctive places, environment and heritage
will be valued and enhanced, and people from all communities will come
together to celebrate and participate in cultural, sporting and social events and
activities.
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| Recent Achievements |
Over the last four years, overall crime in the district has gone down by
more that a quarter (26.7%) - that's over 12,000 fewer crimes than in
2003/04.
Since 2003/04, the district has seen significant reductions in vehicle theft (-
58.9%), domestic burglary (-32.3%), and wounding (-31.3%).
Since the introduction of community support officers (2003), crime levels in
the city centre have fallen significantly.
In January 2007, the district was designated one of 40 Respect Action
Areas - allowing us to take a lead on anti-social behaviour. We have built
on this success, developing a range of parenting, family intervention and
targeted youth support activities in partnership with DCSF 10.
The District Drugs Team and "Dob in a Dealer" campaign (both set up in
2002) have netted over 2,400 arrests and seized drugs with a total value of
8.5 million.
The district is one of 25 areas taking part in the Drug Interventions
Programme -helping to break the cycle of drug misuse, crime and prison.
The district has been a pioneer of CCTV. A state-of-the art system of 100+
cameras covers the city centre and Keighley, Bingley and Shipley town
centres. This, together with our street wardens and community support
officers, has significantly reduced crime in urban centres.
10 DCFS = the Government's Department for Children, Families and Schools
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