8.0 Community Saftey.

INTRODUCTION. Community Safety is viewed by residents as one of the highest priorities. The crime and disorder problems of Dyke House/Jackson are associated not only with socio-economic factors (low employment and education rates) but also the location adjacent to the town centre uses.

RESIDENTS' KEY VIEWS. A threatening street enviroment and antisocial behaviour are seen as major issues. Lack of diversionary activities, alcohol and drug abuse and associated behaviour are all key areas of concern. Crime prevention advice and safety awareness, community wardens, neighbourhood watch, street lighting, alleygates, CCTV, target hardening, and increase provision of diversionary activities are all seen as key local priorities. The need to encourage landlords particularly those in the private sector to take more responsiblity for their tentants was also seen as being fundamental. Increased partnership working between residents, wardens and the Police was also cited as being important.

KEY BASELINE/SURVEY DATA.

Improved home security, through grant assistance for locks, fire and burglar alarms, door entry systems and 'dusk till dawn' lighting, particular for vulnerable groups, was also identified as a major community aspiration. The Dyke House/Jackson domestic burglary rate is one of the highest in the town and is double the Hartlepool average. The area also experiences amongst the highest rates of arrests out of the areas that fall within the 9 most deprived wards; over doulbe the town rate of 112 arrests per 1000 population.

RECENT PROGRESS AND NEXT STEPS. continued...
Community Wardens patrol the area from a base within the neighbourhood at Chatham Road. Residents groups participate in an initiative aimed at helping to build capacity by providing the groups with self selected small items of security (e.g. door alarms, internal dusk till dawn lights) which they disributed within their group area. It has long been recognised however that these improvements alone will not significantly reduce crime and fear of crime.

The prevalence of known local drug dealers and anti-social neighbours throughout the neighbourhood mean that residents are always concerned with community safety. The need to break the cycle of offending and drug dependency are key issues that need to be tackled throughout the town. The Community Safety Partnership, as the themed partnership, is key to overseeing progress is made towards the priorities listed.