You said: Living in a safe area with low levels of crime and disorder is really important. Real community involvement and being able to access services is crucial.

Safer and stronger - making Nottinghamshire safer, building a strong sense of community and enriching lives

  • the highest priority over the next ten years for most people in Nottinghamshire is crime; many of you have particular concerns about vandalism, improving police presence on your streets and response times, and you support community wardens
  • tackling drugs crime is a priority across particular Nottinghamshire communities. Supporting parents and ensuring that services working with children pick up early signs of difficulty and providing appropriate support to prevent young people getting into crime are also important
  • older people want to live independently at home but feel that improved community safety both at home and in neighbourhoods is vital
  • young people in Nottinghamshire are worried about their safety both on the streets and in their schools, and want bullying stopped
  • businesses in Nottinghamshire are increasingly worried about crime and want to see crime against business measured so that joint responses can be developed and coordinated
  • all ages and communities feel that having access to good local leisure, social and cultural services and facilities contributes to a sense of inclusion and wellbeing. Many feel that specialist facilities are the answer whilst others want ‘access for all’ improved
  • focus groups identified the sense of community involvement that emerges from improved information and communication and through people having a greater influence on decisions that affect their lives. We need to value and respect all ages and cultures more, and encourage more joint work across communities and generations as well as in schools, to increase a sense of community and encourage active citizenship
  • young children said they want more outdoor activities and access to safe play areas, free from needles, rubbish and dog fouling; disabled children want the same access to leisure and cultural facilities as non-disabled children and young people
  • the most vulnerable people need help to ensure their opinions and experiences are heard, they feel safe, supported and valued and are empowered to reach the goals they set themselves
  • people feel that more choice in amenities and supporting independence will lead to more cohesive communities, better neighbourhoods and quality of life
  • the role of voluntary and community organisations is crucial is supporting involvement and cohesion and combating social exclusion.

We know:

Crime levels are high; the geographic county ranks 6 out of 49 sub regions in terms of total offences per 1,000 population. But once City figures are excluded from the above, crime rates fall dramatically. Of the county's districts Mansfield has the highest rate of overall offences, followed by Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe and Gedling. Rushcliffe and Newark & Sherwood have far fewer offences.

Burglary rates also show marked disparities within the county, with Ashfield, Mansfield and Broxtowe ranking significantly higher than the England average.

'Many agencies, not simply the police, have a major role to play.'

Anti-social behaviour and drinking can sometimes be addressed through licensing or decreased by providing diversionary activities such as sport and recreation. In addition, support to prevent young people misusing drugs and alcohol can be productive.

Each of the county's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships has just published their 2005-8 strategies, based on thorough research and consultation with local organisations and people. All these strategies outline in detail what issues are to be addressed, with specific targets on, for example, business crime, rural crime, anti-social behaviour and so on. This strategy should align with the details in each Community Safety Strategy rather than duplicate activity already underway.

'Domestic violence is a major issue which affects overall crime levels.'

Many agencies, not simply the police, have a major role to play in this area; these include the Probation Service, Victim Support, the Fire and Rescue Service, organisations serving young people and a range of education and training providers

On accidents, including those affecting children, preventative work can pay huge dividends. Safer routes to school and similar initiatives can play a role in this work and we have reduced the number of killed and seriously injured by 11 per cent over the last four years.

There are higher than average numbers of children on the County's Child Protection Register and the safety of children and vulnerable adults can best be addressed through co-operation between many agencies.

Domestic violence is a major issue which affects overall crime levels but this is now being addressed through dedicated support units and joint work between agencies.

'Road and footpath repairs and maintenance, road safety measures and improved street lighting are all playing a part in reducing accidents and the fear of crime.'

Arson and avoidable injuries are a problem in some areas and can be tackled through better joined-up work between agencies.

Road and footpath repairs and maintenance, road safety measures and improved street lighting are all playing a part in reducing accidents and the fear of crime.

Taking government measures, Nottinghamshire ranks as the 12th most deprived county in England. Also on deprivation, Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw are the districts which score highest.

Culture, sport and leisure enrich people’s quality of life and contribute to social and economic wellbeing and stronger communities.

In 2003/04 there was take-up of almost 11,600 adult and community learning opportunities by people in Nottinghamshire. In the same year, 10,810 people attended sports training courses, 216,293 went to council-supported arts events and there were 4,827 visits per 1,000 people to public libraries.

Ashfield and Mansfield have populations with the lowest average ages in the county, whilst Gedling and Newark and Sherwood have the highest. Newark and Sherwood and Mansfield have the highest dependency ratio in the county.

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