Praise From The Top On Crime Battle

Partnership working to tackle crime in south Warwickshire has been praised by the Home Office. The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), being led by Stratford-on-Avon District Council, targets issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug abuse and the fear of crime at a community level.  

A top Home Office official has paid a visit to Studley on a fact-finding trip, which will lead to a government report highlighting the Stratford District as a good example of CDRPs in action.  

"It's safe to say the community was thrilled and excited to have their hard work over the last 18 months or so recognised by the Home Office," said Cllr Juliet Short, the portfolio holder for community services.  

"Studley is one of our priority areas for community safety and it is a credit to everyone involved - the police, all the local councils and local community groups, that our success in tackling crime will be used as an example of good practice by the government."  

Responsibility for local councils to tackle crime through CDRPs is a result of Section 5 and 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which requires specific agencies such as the police, district and county councils, health trusts and fire services, to work within the community in tackling crime and disorder and the misuse of drugs in their local areas.  

Figures show that in 2004/5 there were just under 62 crimes per 1,000 population in Warwickshire, compared with the national average of 105 crimes per 1,000, making Warwickshire one of the safest counties in the country.