30 JANUARY 2007:  SAFER communities partnerships across the western policing area of North Yorkshire, which includes Craven, Harrogate District and Richmondshire, are each sending out 3,500 questionnaires to sample people's perceptions about crime and their fear of crime.

 

The Harrogate district remains a low crime area and statistics show that criminal activity is reducing but Head of Public Protection at Harrogate Borough Council, Nicky Garside, said:  "We recognise the importance of working with local communities to strengthen neighbourhoods. The survey will help the Partnerships to identify public priorities, allowing us to work together in finding solutions and providing reassurance.

 

"We are involved in many projects aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, but need to ensure that these are having the desired impact and that residents feel safer and more engaged.  The questionnaires are being sent to a random selection of residents across the districts and I would urge anyone receiving a copy to fill it in.  We are just about into the final year of a three-year action plan, which was developed following the 2004 crime audit.  The Partnership isn't standing still and we are constantly reviewing our priorities.  The results of this survey will help us to continue to do that."

 

The completed surveys will be analysed by Richard Wilkinson, the Crime Data Officer working for all three Partnerships and he will report back to them on his findings.  ENDS

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NOTE TO EDITORS:  Reducing and preventing crime, and the fear of crime, is the aim of the Harrogate District Safer Communities Partnership.

 

Made up of representatives from the Police, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Fire & Rescue, Primary Care Trust as well as other agencies and voluntary groups from across the district, the Partnership aims to tackle crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour issues through a range of local actions and  interventions.

 

The Partnership's strategy aims to improve the quality of life within the district and ensure householders feel safe and not threatened by crime and disorder, or by other anti-social behaviour.