Blackpool is safe! Figures out this week have shown that Blackpool’s crime reduction partnership organisation has successfully met its government set targets on crime.

 

Celebrations have started after BSafe Blackpool has helped thrash the government’s PSA 1 targets for crime reduction, bringing some categories of crime down by over 50 per cent in the last four years.

 

The PSA 1 targets were set to reduce British Crime Survey (BCS) crimes by 16% overall in Blackpool based on a baseline figure taken in 2003/04. Working in partnership with Blackpool police, fire and rescue, PCT and Blackpool Council the figures have actually reduced by 17.6 per cent.

 

Councillor Tony Williams, Chairperson for BSafe Blackpool and Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities at Blackpool Council, said:  “When we were first informed of our targets I have to say we were a little overwhelmed at the size of the task ahead of us. Many people said that they were unrealistic and that we would not meet the target or even come close.”

 

Crimes such as All Vehicle Crime have been reduced by 43.6 per cent with Burglaries from a Dwelling coming down by 36.7 per cent and All Robbery down by a pleasing 24.3 per cent.

 

Councillor Williams added: “This really is fantastic news. I cannot express how pleased we are and how proud I am of everyone that has been involved. In order to reach such figures the partnership has funded initiatives from head cameras for the police to sporting clubs for children. All have helped to prevent crime either through intervention or by acting as a deterrent or distraction.

 

“I also want to recognise the people of Blackpool who have helped to reduce crime. Conscientious residents who have taken crime reducing steps such as the introduction of Alley Gates and adopting the No Cold Calling zones are equally responsible for making their town a better place to live. The good news is that Blackpool is now a safer place to live and play.”

 

“Having said that, we cannot be complacent. We have not removed crime completely and I know that is what the people of Blackpool really want. Some areas of crime have increased very slightly but that has been attributed to the positive work we have done to increase the reporting of sensitive crimes. We have to be realistic with what we can achieve but considering the mountain we have climbed to reach this target who knows where we can go from here!”

 

Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver of Blackpool Police said: “Some recorded categories of crime have increased very slightly due to positive work we have done to encourage people to come forward and report what has happened to them when they might have felt less confident to do so in the past.”

 

Wendy Swift, Chief Executive of Blackpool PCT added her thoughts on the news: “Blackpool PCT is delighted with the news of the partnerships achievement towards reducing crime in the town. The PCT has led on the implementation of the highly successful Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) initiatives that aim to get offenders who misuse drugs out of crime and into treatment.  People who misuse Class A drugs often commit crimes to fund their drug habit.  As a result, they can get caught in a cycle of drug misuse, crime and prison.  The Programme aims to break this cycle by making every stage in the criminal justice system – and beyond – an opportunity to get offenders into treatment.

 

“The programme brings together the police, the courts, the Prison Service, the National Probation Service, treatment providers, aftercare support services. These partners work together to provide tailored solutions for drug-misusing offenders from arrest, court, sentencing and prison through to post-prison and post-treatment.”