DURING Not In My Neighbourhood Week, October 13 to 17, we will look at the huge range of work undertaken by a multi-agency partnership in Newport to keep crime down and make communities safe. Jane Helmich reports in the first of a series of articles.

ALTHOUGH statistics show that crime has fallen in Britain by 18 per cent, the gap between perception and reality is still too wide.

Not in My Neighbourhood Week aims to raise awareness of what is being done and create a sense of "empowerment" in communities.

For ten years, Safer Newport has worked tirelessly to make the city a safer and friendlier place.

Formerly Newport Community Safety Partnership, police, council, police authority, health and fire agencies work together to improve the quality of life of people living and working in the city.

It aims to focus on six key areas over the next few years

  • anti-social behaviour
  • violent crime
  • substance misuse (including alcohol)
  • property crime
  • environment and regeneration
  • criminal damage Under each of these themes, task groups are developing projects to cut crime and anti-social behaviour, reduce the harm caused by drugs and alcohol, reduce the fear of crime and many more initiatives that will improve Newport’s environment.

In the last year, £20,000 from the Home Office was spent on tackling criminal damage resulting in a drop of more than six per cent in just six months.

Campaigns to reduce violence and disorder in the city after dark have led to a 7.7 per cent reduction in the last three years.

In the same period, burglary has fallen by 20.5 per cent, vehicle crime is down 29.8 per cent, robbery down 10.8 per cent, and re-offending by young people has reduced.

Many projects have also delivered improved safety measures and deterred crime and anti-social behaviour across the city.

From improved fencing and street-lighting to the use of CCTV, areas including Alway, Moorland Park, Rhiwderin, Graig and Lliswerry have taken positive steps to improve their appearance and reduce the potential for crime and anti-social behaviour.

A new focus on the night time economy of the city aims to improve people’s experience of visiting and enjoying a night out in Newport.

Working with the Probation Service, graffiti across the city is also being targeted. An Assembly grant was used to buy a dedicated graffiti response vehicle.

Alongside the work of the partnership, the Pride in Newport campaign is helping to make the city "cleaner and greener".

Safety and environment is top priority for city initiative

On October 23, the Best Bar None Awards will be presented at the Kings Hotel to recognise Newport businesses taking part in an initiative to make the city safer and more enjoyable.

Pubs and clubs in the city centre, Bassaleg, Rogerstone, Rhiwderin and Caerleon involved in the scheme will receive their awards.

Best Bar None, which will be expanded to other areas of the city in future, has a number of aims including:

  • To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm, disorder and crime
  • Establish a benchmark of good practice among licensed premises
  • Improve the attractiveness, economic vitality and instil in people a sense of pride in their city For more information call 01633 656 656, email bestbarnone@newport.gov.uk or visit www.newport.gov.uk/bestbarnone
  • During this week, we will also look at other ways the partnership is making Newport a better place to live including crackdowns on anti-social behaviour, rogue traders and flytippers.