Have your say on cutting crime

Have your say on cutting crime

LONDON. March, 13, 2008/3mnewswire.org/-- Hundreds of community activists are assembling in Manchester today to share their ideas on tackling crime in the city, as the Government calls for ordinary members of the public to have their say in a major review of crime and communities.

Manchester is one of three cities specially chosen as part of a series of interactive public events which will contribute to a wider dialogue with the public on how to cut crime and make neighbourhoods feel safer. Anyone who wants to contribute their views can log on to the Cabinet Office website or send in their views by post.

The call for information forms part of the Crime and Communities Review, a cross-government exercise looking at how the police and other front-line agencies can improve their services by working more closely with local communities.

It covers four main areas:

* How the police and other agencies can work with communities to reduce crime;

* How to raise public confidence in crime fighting organisations;

* How best to police local neighbourhoods;

* How to ensure the justice system has the public's full support by being open and responsive.

Louise Casey, who is leading the review, said:

"Nobody knows more about the needs of an area than the people who live there, which is why I want to find out what the residents of Manchester think about tackling crime in their community.

"This call for evidence gives people the opportunity to have their voices heard at the top levels of government.

"By listening to local communities we can understand what matters most to them, helping more people work with the police and others to stand up against crime and anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods."

The Review Team is expected to report back by June to a new Ministerial group comprising the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Justice, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Attorney General and the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

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