SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY SAFETY

The latest assessment of crime, anti-social behaviour and residents’ views on these issues has been put under the spotlight by Thanet District Council’s watchdog body.

The council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel looked at the annual Community Safety Strategic Assessment at its meeting last night (Tuesday 11 January). This gives an overview of the levels and types of crimes committed between October 2009 and September 2010. It also includes details of anti-social behaviour and data gathered from people over the last year about their views on how well the issues are being dealt with.

The assessment shows that all crime in Thanet has risen by 1%, which means 100 more crimes were committed, compared to the previous year. Violent crime is down by 584 incidents, with thefts of vehicles down by almost 100. Crimes on the increase include burglaries from homes, which are up by a third and thefts from vehicles, which have increased by a quarter. Criminal damage has gone up slightly by 2.1%.

Thanet has the second highest number of anti-social incidents in Kent. Research shows that 27.3% of people think teenagers hanging around is a very or fairly big problem. Although higher than the Kent average, that figure has reduced by 8%, compared to a year earlier.

64.6% of people either strongly or tended to agree that the police and local council were keeping them informed about how they were tackling anti-social behaviour and crime. That’s the highest score anywhere in Kent and has improved since 2010. Another figure that’s improved since 2010 is the number of people who think the police and local council are dealing with anti-social behaviour. That stands at 62.5%.

The assessment will be used to help shape the work plan of the Community Safety Partnership over the next year. Local people will also be asked for their views on the issues that they think should be tackled. Look out for details of drop-in sessions across Thanet coming up during February and March.