Burglary
People in Guildford are worried about their homes being burgled. While statistics show a 16% rise in offences up to March 2001, the truth is that most burglaries were committed by a handful of criminals who have now been dealt with.
The Strategy
-
To ensure there are no more than 8 domestic burglaries per week.
-
To reduce the fear of burglary in Ash Vale, Clandon, Horsley and Westborough by 5%, in Tillingbourne by 10% and Lovelace by 15%.
-
To bring the average fear of burglary down to 25%.
Improving Safety in Public Places
Guildford is a safe town but people need convincing about its safety.
Violent crime rose by 14% to March 2001 and the number of people who deliberately avoided Guildford town centre doubled between the 1998 and 2001 Fear of Crime Surveys, even though they were unlikely to become victims of crime.
It is clear that pubs, clubs and transport centres are particular hotspots for violence and disorder. The town centre attracts 37% of the borough's violent crime.
Both the level of violent crime and the public's fear of crime need to be tackled.
The Strategy 2002 - 2005
-
To reduce injury assaults across the borough by 5%
-
To reduce recorded injury assaults in the town centre by 30% by September 2002
-
To reduce by at least 25% the number of people who avoid the town centre by making them feel safer
Street Drinking
Rough sleepers and homeless people in the town centre are worrying both residents and businesses even though they commit very little crime. Most have access to hostel or other accommodation but some prefer life on the streets during the day and problems include drunken behaviour, littering and begging. Abandoned drugs paraphernalia is also a health problem.
The Strategy 2002-2005
The new strategy takes a more positive approach to the needs of these people as well as protecting the public from antisocial behaviour.
It aims
-
To cut down the number of street drinkers
-
To provide more acceptable places where they can congregate
-
To provide better access to detoxification and rehabilitation centres.
Communities against Drugs
The Safer Guildford Partnership recognises the significance of illegal drugs in relation to crime.
People do not automatically make the link between burglaries and the need to steal to buy drugs but this was dramatically brought home when the eight most prolific Guildford burglars in 2001 were imprisoned : They were all heroin addicts.
Guildford has particular drugs problems. They are comparatively cheap and caused 11 deaths in 2001. Around 25% of burglaries and a small spate of knife-point robberies are linked to drug takers. A recent successful operation saw the robber caught, convicted and sent to prison. The highest number of people arrested and referred to ACORN, the Community Substance Misuse Team in Surrey came from Guildford Custody Centre.
Drugs are on the increase and top level suppliers are getting more difficult to target.
The Strategy 2002-2005
Vehicle Crime
Vehicles are most at risk of being stolen or broken into in Ash, Fairer and St Nicholas and Stoke but the Fear of Crime Survey 2001 flagged up Christchurch, Normandy and Westborough as the areas where people were most worried about car crime.
Residents were also very concerned about theft from vehicles in Pirbright.
The Strategy 2002-2005
-
To reduce vehicle offences to a maximum of 24 per week
-
To reduce fear of car theft in Christchurch and Westborough by 10%, and in Normandy by 5%
-
To cut the borough average fear of car theft from vehciles to 15%
-
To reduce fear of theft from vehicles in Christchurch, Normandy and Pribright by 10% an Westborough by 5%
Vulnerable Young People
Guildford is a great place for the young. Pubs, clubs, cafes and bars draw young people to the town centre from miles around, but this magnet creates problems. Young people between 16 and 24 are the most vulnerable to crimes of violence. Bus and train stations and Bridge Street are particular hotspots.
But even though it is the young people themselves who are often the victims of crime, they were also perceived as threatening by other people. Some 30% of people replying to the fear of crime survey said they were worried by young people "hanging around".
The Strategy 2002-2005
To reduce the number of young people committing crimes by 10%
To reduce the number of young people becoming victims of crime by 10%
Truancy
Truancy is a problem in parts of Guildford. Young people who skip school end up with poor education or career opportunities and this affects the quality of their adult lives. Truants are also vulnerable to becoming involved in, or victims of crime. This is a particular concern for communities in North Guildford.
The Strategy 2002-2005
-
To reduce the level of truancy at primary, secondary and special schools
-
To continue to reduce the amount of crime committed by pupils during school hours.
Safer Places for Young People
Young people "hanging around" particularly in Guildford town centre, Ash and Tongham, are seen as a problem but the youngsters are also worried about their won safety. They see themselves as potential victims of violent crime too and the strategy aims to provide safe bases, opportunities and activities for both teenagers and young parents.
The Strategy 2002-2005
The aims are :
-
To extend outreach initiatives to more youngsters
-
to reduce the number of residents citing young people as a problem by 20%
-
To cut the number of young people committing crime by 10%
-
To reduce the number of young victims by 10%
Reducing Traffic Speeds
Traffic problems emerged from 2001 Fear of Crime Survey as the most important concern for people in the Borough of Guildford. More than half identified traffic and parking as the main issue while nearly half specifically complained about loud or fast cars and motorcycles.
The Strategy 2002-2005
Safer Public Transport
People are worried about the safety of public transport and either stay at home or use their private cars, increasing traffic congestion. Results of the 2001 Residential Fear of Crime Survey showed 40% avoided using buses or trains. Safe public transport is important for everyone but particularly for pub-goers and night clubbers on weekend evenings. The strategy aims to help people feel safer about using buses and trains.
The Strategy 2002-2005
- To cut by 10% the number of people who are afraid to use public transport
A Safer Environment
Clean and tidy streets are deeply important for people's quality of life and feelings of safety and a wide range of environmental improvements are already improving the appearance of the borough. Some 20 projects are completed or underway with more to come. Litter, abandoned vehicles or graffiti all make people feel unsafe and residents and businesses also flagged up rubbish, dogs, lighting and subways as areas of concern in recent Fear of Crime surveys. All these areas are being dealt with.
The Strategy 2002-2005
-
To make it unnecessary for people to sleep rough
-
To maintain low tolerance for alcohol and drugs abuse
-
To increase and support Neighbourhood Watch schemes in specific areas.
Residents and businesses are generally pleased with the look and safety of their neighbourhoods and the most widespread complaints are about litter and car-parking. Vandalism, abandoned cars, disturbance by young people and lack of street lighting are also concerns. The Business Fear of Crime Survey gave a unique opportunity for the business community to contribute to the Strategy. Many companies were interested in CCTV initiatives and wanted to become involved in Community Safety projects.
The Strategy 2002-2005
-
Crime Prevention To promote the Property Marking Challenge, high visibility policing and liaison with GRASP, the Guildford response and Action for Safer Premises.
-
Environmental Measures : To meet community groups to identify problems, maintain a daily presence on estates and deal with abandoned vehicles, litter and eyesores.
-
Community Development : To liaise with outreach workers, residents and faith groups and youth.
Domestic Violence
Statistics show that domestic violence is surprisingly common: In Surrey, one in four women over 18 has experienced violence from a male partner or ex-partner. But on average, it takes 35 attacks before she seeks help, and she has to approach up to 12 different professionals before receiving effective support.
Not surprisingly, women in Surrey want this situation improved, not least because 50% of female murders are committed by partners or ex-partners and since 1981, the largest increase in violent crimes has been in the domestic category.
The Strategy 2002-2005
-
To ensure financial support continues for South West Surrey Refuge
-
To secure funding for a joint outreach project to include paid workers covering the Police and Health boundaries
-
To continue to increase public and staff awareness of domestic violence and the range of help available
-
To increase public awareness of domestic violence and the range of help available
-
To develop, with the voluntary sector, an outreach scheme for victims of domestic violence
-
Work in partnership with the Surrey Domestic Violence Project to establish a Perpetrators programme for Surrey
Repeat Victimisation and Hate Crime
The Police have identified 24 streets as targets for repeat burglaries. Each one had suffered up to six burglaries between April 2000 and March 2001.
Flashpoints for repeat violence and public disorder, associated with the saturation of the town centre with pubs and other licensed venues, are Bridge Street, the Bus Station, Railway Station, North Street, Haydon Place and Bedford Road.
New Government crime definitions have brought about a greater willingness to report racially motivated crimes. Hotspots for these crimes have been identified.
The Strategy 2002-2005
-
To continue to support GRASP and prevent repeat victimisation and hate crimes motivated by prejudice
-
To concentrate on hotspots to reduce risk of offences
-
To reduce the level of repeat burglaries by 10%.
Each of these areas is dealt with by the strategy.
For further information please contact Marie Treddenick Community Safety Co-ordinator on (01483) 444510.