Anti-crime scheme unveiled

Anti-crime scheme unveiled

Domestic burglary is one of the areas targeted

Anti-crime groups in Northern Ireland are to receive £7.5m from the government over the next three years.

The money will be used for improving street lighting and home security, as well as projects which aim to keep young people out of trouble.

The funds will be shared among community safety partnerships in each of the 26 local council areas.

Criminal Justice Minister Des Browne said it would provide a major boost to efforts to bring down anti-social behaviour and crime.

"This strategy is a concrete expression of the government's unwavering commitment to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our society, and its continuing commitment to making Northern Ireland a safe and secure place for its people," he said.

The new partnerships bring together a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community groups in each district council area to address local needs

Des Browne
Criminal justice minister

The Community Safety partnerships are being established across Northern Ireland.

"The strategy launched today heralds a new way of working, through a partnership of interests, to tackle crime, the fear of crime and increasing anti-social behaviour in our communities," said the minister.

"The new partnerships bring together a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community groups in each district council area to address local needs.

"They are an important step towards making our communities safer places," he said.

District Policing Partnerships

An initial 30 schemes have been approved to receive £1.5m over the next three years.

"These schemes, which range from a small scheme to promote safety awareness with older people in Fermanagh to a major initiative to extend the use of radio-links in town centres, are the first fruits of this important strategic initiative," said Mr Browne.

The areas targeted are:

• Car crime
• Domestic burglary
• Business and retail crime
• Offences against individuals - particularly domestic violence and sexual assault
• Youth offending and reducing criminality
• Offences motivated by prejudice and hatred
• Drug, substance and alcohol abuse
• Anti-social behaviour and low level neighbourhood disorder
• Fear of crime among older people, vulnerable adults, victims and children

Family support schemes and rural watch schemes will also be funded.

Last week, the head of the Policing Board said helping people feel safe was the top priority of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Professor Desmond Rea was speaking following a spate of violent attacks on people in areas across Northern Ireland.

He said measures were being taken to put more police on the ground to combat crime and to reduce sickness levels in the police force.