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Drop in crime figures is a ‘massive improvement’
Alex Scapens28/12/2005
LATEST statistics show Adswood and Bridgehall are becoming safer places to live with crime dramatically reduced.
An assessment of the area - and work funded by the government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) since 1999 - has revealed the burglary rate is now 27 per 1,000 households compared to 95 in 1998 and 49.5 in 2001.
Incidents of criminal damage have fallen from 43 to 33 per 1,000 people since 2001 and the rate of youth nuisance is now 33 per 1,000 with the number of people feeling unsafe halving in three years to 19 per cent.
Insp Graham Dodd, from Stockport West policing division, and Adswood councillor David White say these figures mirror an overall trend of crime steadily declining.
Coun White said: "This is a massive improvement. All indications show crime has gone down to the Stockport average.
"It's not that people have just stopped committing crime, those who may have gone in that direction have been given alternatives.
"And people know if they have a problem action will be taken."
Many measures to reduce crime have been partnership work between the council, police and community groups.
Persistent offenders have been targeted, a safer estates community group founded, better lighting provided, bushes cut back on dark paths and two police community support officers assigned to the area.
Insp Dodd said: "Crime in Adswood and Bridgehall has reduced and there is no reason why that can't continue.
"We've had a few problems over the years but the regeneration money has helped and steered certain groups away from trouble. Relations between police, community networks and residents are currently very good."
The SRB money - which is an annual £250,000 payment matched by Stockport Council - ends in March 2006.
A review of its effect, by Adswood and Bridgehall Community Partnership, has shown improvements in youngsters' educational attainment and more people satisfied with the area and its appearance.
Fewer road traffic accidents and greater access to community facilities, such as Sure Start centres, have also been highlighted.
When SRB money ended in Brinnington earlier this year, Stockport Council vowed to make up the shortfall.
Coun White, chair of the community partnership, added: "I fully expect the commitment to Brinnington to be honoured here. The SRB is very bureaucratic with paperwork to justify every brass tack. When it goes, this red tape will go with it so hopefully future money can be even better targeted and more responsive."
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16/01/2006 at 23:12