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Fear of crime drops in East Hampshire

Friday 12th of February 2010

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Residents feel East Hampshire is becoming a safer place to live according to a recent survey.

The results of the poll, run by East Hampshire District Council, show more people now feel East Hampshire is a safe place to be than they did in 2007.

In 2007 81 per cent agreed the area is a safe place to be when they go out during the day. This has risen to 94 per cent in 2009, an increase of 13 per cent.

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In 2007 35 per cent agreed the area is a safe place to be when they go out in the dark. This has risen to 51 per cent, a 16 per cent increase.

In addition to this, 90 per cent of residents voted 'working with the police to reduce crime' as the council's top priority.

The result is good news for the Commuity Safety Partnership which has been working hard to overturn perceptions that the district has a high crime rate. East Hampshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and the partnership strives to maintain this.

The Community Safety Partnership includes EHDC, Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Primary Care Trust, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, the Youth Offending Team, Community First East Hampshire, the probation services and housing associations.

Cllr Hilary Ayer, Chairman of the East Hampshire Community Safety Partnership, said: "Fear of crime has been a big focus for us over the last couple of years and these results illustrate the success of the partnership.

"We are also always trying to change the perception that tackling crime is all down to the police.

"We frequently tell people at public meetings how tackling crime is a partnership responsibility working together with communities. This result might indicate that residents appreciate the important part they have to play."
 
The main focus for the Community Safety Partnership this year will be on:
 

• community engagement
• confidence in the service it delivers
• and ensuring that it deals with the issues that matter most to our communities.