Even though crime has been reduced by 30% in the last five years, community safety still remains an issue for residents. This alone has in the past negatively contributed to poor perceptions of the estate. However, in the last few years there has been an increased awareness from within the community that the perpetrators of criminal activity are often a known minority and that with the support from the HAT, police, school and other landlords this can be tackled strategically with some notable successes. An example of this is a multi-possession hearing in which 5 possession orders were granted to the HAT.
The HAT pressed for Government to grant increased powers to HATs and other RSLs to deal with anti-social behaviour e.g. through use of ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders). This has been included in the recent Police Reform Bill.
Victim support set up to support people who have been affected by crime | 
Wardens at the Centre Park launch |
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The HAT has adopted an integrated and multi-agency approach to community safety which is now managed by CVCHA. Some of the key components to addressing crime, anti-social behaviour and neighbour nuisance include:
- Working in partnership with the police, CVCHA and schools through ‘ValeWatch’.
- ‘Designing out crime’ e.g. With the introduction of video controlled access or ‘defensible space’, estate-wide traffic calming etc.
- Neighbourhood strategy work to redesign the infrastructure within given areas.
- Wide-ranging Drugs and Substance Misuse strategy.
- A Community Safety Strategy developed with CVCHA and Crime Concern including the appointment of a community safety co-ordinator to oversee a 3 year action plan.
- Establishment of Community Safety Forum, including the holding of regular public meetings and involving residents in developing solutions.
- Supporting community led schemes such as CATCH (Community Action Tackling Crime and Harrassment). This was set up in November 1999 and has already led to a number of successes.
- Addressing domestic violence through the Zero Tolerance campaign.
- Setting up Victim Support.
- Developing a Youth Strategy and working with local schools.
- Developing a package of holiday schemes for children and young people.
- Introducing CCTV in Autumn 2002. This has been funded through a Home Office grant and is mangaged by Merlin Venture.
- Introducing Neighbourhood Wardens in Autumn 2002, managed by CVCHA as part of the Community Safety Strategy for Castle Vale. Click here for more information.
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