26 October 2006
The Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership continues to work hard across the town to great effect. The Partnership is currently addressing five priority areas:
- targeting prolific and priority offenders
- preventing and reducing substance misuse
- preventing and reducing property crime
- preventing and reducing violent crime
- preventing and reducing anti-social behaviour
Its Annual Report for 2005/06 considered by Eastbourne’s Cabinet this week showed that there were 6,160 British Crime Survey (BCS) comparator crimes recorded in Eastbourne during the year. This represents a decrease of 5% compared to the 2003/04 baseline year, with 292 fewer offences recorded.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, Health and Community Services, Councillor Sandie Howlett says, “Despite the good news, we are not complacent. Ensuring that Eastbourne remains a safe place to live, work and visit remains one of the highest priorities for the Council. The Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership has however once again demonstrated that success can only be achieved in partnership and with the closest of links to our local communities.”
The greatest reductions were in relation to vehicle crime, domestic burglary and robbery. Key successes in other areas were also reported, including:
- The multi-agency Prevent & Deter Group and the new Youth Justice Worker, targeting activities to deflect young people from criminal activity
- Funding for the East Sussex Mentoring service for young people, providing ‘one to one’ support to build self esteem and promote changes in behaviour
- The Nightwatch Scheme established by the Eastbourne Business Crime Group, involving Pubs, Clubs, late night Takeaways, Restaurants and Taxis
- Additional Police, Licensing and Trading Standards Operations providing high visibility policing in hot spot areas and ensuring robust enforcement through increased joint licensing visits
- Local Action Teams (LATS) supported by Sussex Police in key areas of the town, involving communities in developing local solutions to neighbourhood crime and disorder issues
Chief Inspector Bob Gough says, “I am pleased with the reductions especially in public place violent crime and anti-social behaviour. The partnership approaches to crime reduction are strong and need to remain so to secure further reductions to ensure Eastbourne stays a safer place than many other parts of the country.”
