Crime & communities
Tackling fear of crime & disorder in the community
What can You do as an Individual to Become More involved in Crime Reduction?
Find out about the issues in your own community by visiting the Home Office website. You could ask your local CDRP (usually located in your local council offices) for a copy of their Crime and Disorder Strategy. You could also find out if they have a public crime and disorder database for you to access crime reduction strategies or crime data, such as the Crime and Disorder Data Information Exchange (CADDIE) which is directed at the South East area.
Visit www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk to find out about projects, ideas, information, research, campaigns or training that could make your area safer.
Pass on to the police or local authority about crime problems or problem individuals. This could include:
What school uniforms are being worn by young people who are causing a nuisance.
Registration details of vehicles where the drivers are acting suspiciously.
A diary of events when there are problems with noise or anti-social behaviour.
Join a local tenants group, Residents' Association, Neighbourhood Watch Scheme or Neighbourhood Environment Action Team if you have the time. Volunteer some of your time to a charity or a project within your local area. Go along to a local councillor's surgery and tell them about problems in your area.
Make sure your house and car are safe by taking common sense precautions. Make your family and friends aware of what they can do to prevent crime. Encourage them to report any damage to housing, street lamps and graffiti to the local authority. Seek the advice of the police or a crime reduction officer as a first step to being proactive in fighting crime in your neighbourhood.
What Can You do as part of a Group to Become More Involved?
Form a residents or tenants group or Neighbourhood Watch Scheme if there is not already one in your area. Agree formally to keep an eye on each other's homes and vehicles, ensuring any problems are reported to the police.
Contact your local community safety officer or crime reduction officer if you have an idea for a project your group could become involved in or if your group want to volunteer for any local projects. Share information with each other if you hear of problems in your area.
How Can You Become More Involved with Your Local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership?
Find out who is involved in your partnership. Give them information and feedback about any problems in your area and how they are being tackled. Volunteer for any local projects if you have time.
How Can You find out what is Happening in Other Areas and How Other Residents are Helping to Reduce Crime?
The local and national newspaper, radio and television have information about crime reduction. Contact one of the organisations listed in the Useful Contacts (the last section of this document) who have lots of information about what is happening in other areas. Speak to your local councillor, community safety officer or crime reduction officer who will have information about what is happening.
How Can You Make Sure You Get the Right Level of Service From Local Organisations?
Find out what services the police, the local authority and other organisations offer as part of their Crime and Disorder Strategy. If you think you are not getting the right level of services tell the person responsible that you are not happy. Speak to your local councillor if you are not happy with the services you are getting. Provide feedback to your local tenants or residents association so they can lobby on your behalf.
Why Should You Get Involved in Crime Reduction?
Becoming involved in crime reduction makes your community a better place to live. Your area will become a safer place to live in and it will also reduce your fear of crime.
If the community becomes a better and safer place more businesses may be encouraged to invest in the area and increase employment etc. It can also pave the way for other improvements, such as in housing, facilities for young people etc.
Becoming involved will give you and your community more control over what is happening and it can help increase the sense of belonging to a community.
A range of small grants are available for groups of residents who may be able to use the money to reduce crime in their area or to learn about different approaches and best practice. To find out about some of the grants see the Useful Contacts list, which is the last section of this document.
Last update: Thursday, October 26, 2006