NEWS STORY: MARCH 2009

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Crime halved in Cheetham!

Police officers talking to a Cheetham shop owner

Police officer talking to a Cheetham shop owner

The number of crimes recorded during the Cheetham Respect Action Neighbourhood (RAN) project is 53% down compared to the same period in the previous year.

What is RAN?

Respect Action Neighbourhoods (RANs) are an extension of the hugely successful Respect Action Weeks.  Police, council and other partners work alongside the community to improve an area by tackling low-level crime, antisocial behaviour and environmental issues.

Building confidence

Sgt Damian Noblett said: ‘The main idea behind this campaign has been to engage with residents, find out what they see as the biggest problems and get results for them. We've stepped up the game in Cheetham. There's a greater police presence and we're engaging with a lot of young people responsible for antisocial behaviour and getting them involved in youth facilities. One of the key factors for the change is that when people see that the police and council listen to their problems, and they see results, it builds trust and confidence.’

How we got involved

Throughout the ten week Respect Action Neighbourhood, Northwards Housing, council officers, PCSOs and private sector housing employees consulted residents about what they saw as the priorities for their community. Teams knocked on 2,500 doors and collected 725 completed questionnaires.

Why we got involved

Jacqui Tomlinson, Local Services Manager at Northwards Housing Cheetham Hill office said: ‘To bring down crime and antisocial behaviour, agencies such as housing and police need to work together - that's why taking part in this kind of initiative is such an important part of what Northwards Housing do. Most people take pride in their area - this is about working with them to make Cheetham a safer, better place to live.’ 

What’s happening?

The results of the questionnaires suggested that people living in the area were concerned about drug dealing, off-road bikes and rubbish dumping. More than 270 people have shown an interest in joining a Homewatch scheme and 207 registered an interest in joining a residents’ group.

What’s next?

The issues that were raised are now being dealt with on a ‘you said, we did’ basis. Three Homewatch drop-in sessions have been arranged. Plus, there are plans to set up a number of tenants’ groups.

 

                       

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