|
CRIME FALLS
AGAIN IN MERSEYSIDE FOR 5TH YEAR IN A ROW
CRIME has continued to fall
in Merseyside for the 5th consecutive year with 7,617 fewer victims
of crime in the last 12 months (April 2010 to March 2011).
Statistics released by the latest official British Crime Survey and
Home Office, show a 7.1% reduction of crime in Merseyside compared
to a national fall of 4.3%.
The Force has seen significant reductions in anti-social behaviour
of 9,451 offences (11.2%), criminal damage revealing 3,941 fewer
offences (16.8%) and vehicle crime with a fall of 2,135 offences
(18.9%). In addition, burglary and serious
acquisitive crime have reduced, as have violent offences such as
assault and robbery. In Merseyside, robbery has decreased by
14.8% (240 offences) bucking the national trend of an increase in
robbery offences of 1.4% - a difference of 16.2%.
Drug offences have increased by 0.1% (15 offences) following
pro-active police activity and an increase in members of the
community coming forward with information. Sex offences have
also risen by 22.4% (equating to 207 offences) following the set up
of the Unity team - a specialist rape unit with dedicated officers
and CPS prosecutors. Sex offences are traditionally under-reported
but since the Unity team was created, the Force has seen more
offenders brought to justice and an increase in confidence of
victims willing to come forward.
Assistant Chief Constable Helen King said:- "I am pleased to
be able to report that homes are safer in Merseyside than in our
most similar force areas with the fall in burglary in Merseyside
being three times greater than the national average. We are also
second lowest out of the Metropolitan forces for business
burglaries.
Merseyside has additionally seen a fall in robbery of almost 15% at
a time when robbery across the UK has increased. It is also
positive news that in Merseyside, the likelihood of being assaulted
is much lower than the national average, with our Force dealing with
the fewest incidents of violence out of all the Metropolitan forces.
This is reflective of the hard work and dedication of our officers
and partners in reducing this sort of violent crime in our
communities with a wide-range of initiatives to tackle alcohol and
drug-related violence including city and town centre zones and the
opening of the 'Cop Shop' in Liverpool city centre.
We also work closely with partners to reduce domestic violence. All
of these specific initiatives helped in bringing about this
significant reduction in violent crimes. Overall, we have seen
a reduction in crime of 7.1%, which equates to 7,671 fewer victims
in the last 12-month period compared to a national picture of 4.3%. This continued year on year reduction is testament to the
dedication of our officers and staff, and the work we do with
partners and communities. We have shown to all the residents
of Merseyside that if you come to us with information we will act on
it. But we will not be complacent and will continue to strive
to see further year on year reductions to ensure there are fewer
victims of crime in Merseyside and our communities are a safe and
happy place for everyone."
The number of people saying Merseyside Police are doing an excellent
job has increased to 60.2% from 55.8% compared to a national average
of 58.7%.
Merseyside Police Authority Chairman, Cllr Bill Weightman, added:-
"Yet again crime is down in Merseyside which is great news for
our communities. Merseyside Police Authority places great
importance on the views of members of the public when agreeing our
priorities with Merseyside Police.
The reduction in crime we see today is testament to the partnership
working between the Authority and Chief Constable in targeting
resources at anti-social behaviour, which has reduced by over 11%,
and other priority areas.
Such reductions in crime are particularly impressive considering the
cuts in government funding, and are evidence of the continued hard
work and dedication of our police officers and staff during this
period of change." |
 |
£10m bid for
housing renewal in Liverpool
THE city council has
submitted a bid for £10 million of HMR Transition Funding, as part
of its continuing work to protect vulnerable Liverpool residents and
allow housing renewal to continue, by identifying and drawing down
funding from different sources.
The Government announced the creation of the £30 million HMR
Transition Fund in May, to re-house the residents left most
vulnerable and stranded in clearance areas as a result of the ending
of HMR funding.
Following an extensive review of the current picture in Liverpool,
and taking into account the strict criteria set down for the
funding, the city council has included the following 5 areas in its
bid:-
► Anfield Breckfield – Phases 3-5
► Easby Estate – Phases 1-5
► Welsh Streets – Phases 1 and 2
► Edge Hill – Phases 1-3
► Picton – Phases 1-3
All of these areas meet the criteria, which states that funding must
focus on streets and areas which are between 10% and 50% occupied
and which suffer from the worst dereliction.
The cost of acquiring homes in these areas, re-housing residents,
demolishing properties and preparing sites for rebuild by private
developers is £21.06 million. Because any Transition Fund awarded by
the Government has to be match-funded by local authorities,
Liverpool is bidding for £10.53 million.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community
Safety, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said:- "It’s absolutely vital
that we continue to fight for any funding we can get for housing
renewal in this city. We need to keep pressure on the government,
identify new funding sources, work with communities and private
partners and make positive decisions for the areas which need it the
most.
The scrapping of HMRI funding was a huge, huge blow to this city,
and even if we are successful in securing this funding, it will be a
drop in the ocean compared to what we have lost. The narrow criteria
also meant there were a number of areas in the city not eligible for
this funding. But I want to reassure those residents not included in
this bid that we will continue to work tirelessly to secure funding
from other sources.
There are many challenges ahead, but this bid for transition funding
reaffirms our commitment to do everything we can to improve life our
most vulnerable residents, and forms part of our wider plans to
drive forward housing renewal in this city."
Merseyside’s Pathfinder programme is one of five in the country
identified as ‘most challenged’ by the Government, making the region
eligible to bid for a share of the £30 million Transition Funding.
As well as stipulating that funds should be focused on streets or
areas with between 10% and 50% occupation rates, the criteria when
applying for funding also states:-
► Extensive intervention has to have already been made in the areas
using HMR grant funding.
► It cannot be used to ‘open up’ new phases of acquisition and
possible demolition.
The strict criteria meant other areas looked at closely by the city
council, including Anfield Breckfield Phases 6 and 7 and Welsh
Streets Phase 3, are not eligible for HMR Transition Funding and
could not, therefore, be included in the city’s bid.
The city council is now exploring longer term solutions for these
areas, so that regeneration and housing renewal can continue.
A decision on the award of HMR Transition Funding is expected to be
made by the Government in August.
|
