On a visit to the Cambridge Community Safety Partnership Mr Campbell met with local residents, officials and businesses to find out more about the projects that have been set up to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Cambridge. So far this year the Partnership has been allocated around £30,000 from Safer Stronger Communities Funding to tackle problems in the city, which include street drinking, drug disruption and the anti-social use of cycles and vehicles.
The Community Safety Partnership also runs the Safer Neighbourhoods initiative which provides residents with an opportunity to influence the community safety priorities of the police, city council and other agencies.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said:
"As Home Office Minister for crime reduction, tackling anti-social behaviour is my top priority. I am determined to give people a louder voice about how crime is tackled in their communities so we can continue to drive down crime and drive up public confidence. As part of that it is vital that authorities listen to the concerns of the public and use the anti-social behaviour tools and powers available to them as effectively as possible.
"By dealing with issues that matter to local people we show them that the authorities are here to help and will listen if they have the confidence to come forward.
"I am encouraged by the work being done in Cambridge with the help of government investment from the Safer and Stronger Communities fund. But I am not complacent. There is still much more to be done to tackle anti-social behaviour and, today, I will be meeting with the police and local authority to challenge and support them to do more to make communities across Cambridge safer."
Ian Martin, Home Office Regional Deputy Director said:
"Partners in Cambridge have ably demonstrated how anti-social behaviour issues of most local concern can be effectively tackled through multi-agency working. This is not only helping to improve the lives of local people but also tackle their fears about crime and anti-social behaviour."
During his visit Mr Campbell took a minibus tour around the city centre of Cambridge to look at hot spot areas affected by antisocial behaviour.
The Minister met local market traders and officials to find out how the community is benefitting from a project called 'Streetlife,' which aims to tackle issues affecting local businesses such as street drinking and anti-social behaviour.
One local market trader who has benefitted from work carried out by this project is Lindsey Loker, who runs a fruit and vegetable stall in Market Square. She said:
"There was a group of up to 20 street drinkers who hung around near our stalls. Sometimes they were aggressive to us and to our customers and could become a bit of a nuisance. We talked it over with our local police officers, who've been able to move them on and now things have significantly improved."
