Bath & North East Somerset Council is committing £3.3
million over the next three years to build communities where people
feel safe and secure.
The Cabinet has reaffirmed its policy to work in
partnership with agencies, like the Police, Primary Care Trust, and
Home Office, to meet that priority contained within the Council’s
vision for the Bath and North East Somerset area. In 2008/09, for
every £1 Bath & North East Somerset Council is investing, £3.26
is contributed by its partner agencies, totalling £4.8 million this
year alone.
Councillor Vic Pritchard, Cabinet Member with responsibility for
Community Safety, commented: "Bath & North East Somerset
Council’s Cabinet wants to build local communities where people can
go about their daily lives and routines feeling safe and secure.
Currently, there is a gap between the perception and reality of
crime. Whilst one in six residents was recorded as having been a
victim of crime in the last twelve months, one in three residents
are very worried about becoming a victim.
The Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, of which the Council
is part, is making significant investment in initiatives and
projects developed to enhance the feeling of safety and security in
local communities. Local taxpayer’s share of investment will see
sharper focus on tackling alcohol and drug misuse, anti-social
behaviour, and domestic violence."
Councillor Pritchard listed ten actions the Council is
undertaking in partnership with other agencies. These include:
1. Focusing on alcohol misuse affecting young people through an
organisation called Project 28 who develop Life Skills
programmes;
2. Expansion of drug services into rural communities;
3. Grants for community groups to address local community safety
issues, like provision of alleygates and lighting schemes;
4. Creation of a new joint team to tackle Anti-Social
Behaviour;
5. New Specialist Domestic Violence Courts;
6. Continuation of successful joint working for high risk
victims of domestic violence and abuse;
7. Deployment of Mobile CCTV in crime hotspots;
8. Increased provision of Police Community Support Officers and
maintaining Community Wardens;
9. Rolling programme of Environment Action Days involving the
Council, Police, and Fire Service to tackle anti-social problems in
specific communities;
10. Continuation of other popular existing initiatives, such as
Taxi Marshalls, Bobby Van, and Avondale Victim Support.
"Many actions Bath & North East Somerset Council and its
partners have already undertaken, like tackling drugs issues
through Project 28, are making a real difference to individuals
lives" added Councillor Pritchard.
"But a key challenge is for the Council and our partners to
increase awareness of how residents can make best use of this new
investment, like the grants scheme, to build safer and securer
communities."
