This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12888206

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Helen Newlove urges communities to help tackle crime Helen Newlove urges communities to help tackle crime
(40 minutes later)
The government's "communities champion" says residents should be able to set the speed limit on local roads.The government's "communities champion" says residents should be able to set the speed limit on local roads.
In a report on tackling neighbourhood crime, Baroness Newlove suggests volunteers should be given speed guns.In a report on tackling neighbourhood crime, Baroness Newlove suggests volunteers should be given speed guns.
The peer, whose husband Garry was murdered by a gang of teenagers in 2007 in Warrington, said crime should not be seen as someone else's problem.The peer, whose husband Garry was murdered by a gang of teenagers in 2007 in Warrington, said crime should not be seen as someone else's problem.
Ministers say the report will help to shape their approach to community activism in England and Wales.Ministers say the report will help to shape their approach to community activism in England and Wales.
Garry Newlove was attacked and suffered fatal brain damage after spending months trying to stop trouble-making youths from vandalising his neighbourhood.Garry Newlove was attacked and suffered fatal brain damage after spending months trying to stop trouble-making youths from vandalising his neighbourhood.
His widow Helen, who carried on his campaign, was made a peer by Prime Minister David Cameron shortly after the 2010 General Election.His widow Helen, who carried on his campaign, was made a peer by Prime Minister David Cameron shortly after the 2010 General Election.
Ministers asked her to visit community activism projects around the UK, gather ideas via a blog and to report back to ministers about what would work in making neighbourhoods safer.Ministers asked her to visit community activism projects around the UK, gather ideas via a blog and to report back to ministers about what would work in making neighbourhoods safer.
In her report, the peer argues that communities can take more responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime and become less reliant on agencies such as the police.In her report, the peer argues that communities can take more responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime and become less reliant on agencies such as the police.
Two of her proposals involve communities getting rewards for doing more to tackle crime.Two of her proposals involve communities getting rewards for doing more to tackle crime.
In the first, called "Bling Back", the proceeds of assets seized from a drug dealer would go directly to the community that provided information leading to their conviction.In the first, called "Bling Back", the proceeds of assets seized from a drug dealer would go directly to the community that provided information leading to their conviction.
She also proposes a form of "community reward" to be spent on crime prevention work where local people have helped to secure a conviction.She also proposes a form of "community reward" to be spent on crime prevention work where local people have helped to secure a conviction.
Council tax rebatesCouncil tax rebates
On speeding, Lady Newlove suggests volunteers could be given speed guns to help police enforce the limit. She says it already happens in Cambridgeshire and Devon and Cornwall.On speeding, Lady Newlove suggests volunteers could be given speed guns to help police enforce the limit. She says it already happens in Cambridgeshire and Devon and Cornwall.
People who take part in community activism should get a council tax rebate or vouchers to spend on local services, she says.People who take part in community activism should get a council tax rebate or vouchers to spend on local services, she says.
"For too long now, too many people have either not known how to get involved, have not been listened to when they have tried to speak out, or simply felt that it wasn't worth it as nothing would ever change," she said."For too long now, too many people have either not known how to get involved, have not been listened to when they have tried to speak out, or simply felt that it wasn't worth it as nothing would ever change," she said.
"This report sets out how we can change things by empowering local communities to reclaim their streets."This report sets out how we can change things by empowering local communities to reclaim their streets.
"Everyone has a role to play, communities must begin to take more responsibility and local agencies must begin to lessen their grip on the decision-making process and trust the people they serve to solve problems for themselves.""Everyone has a role to play, communities must begin to take more responsibility and local agencies must begin to lessen their grip on the decision-making process and trust the people they serve to solve problems for themselves."
Baroness Newlove said she believed there was a big appetite among residents for volunteering to improve their neighbourhoods.Baroness Newlove said she believed there was a big appetite among residents for volunteering to improve their neighbourhoods.
James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime Prevention, said: "Since her appointment, Baroness Newlove has been working tirelessly to inspire, challenge, support and learn from areas across the country.James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime Prevention, said: "Since her appointment, Baroness Newlove has been working tirelessly to inspire, challenge, support and learn from areas across the country.
"I look forward to seeing how her report will help to shape how we approach community activism in the future.""I look forward to seeing how her report will help to shape how we approach community activism in the future."


Comments



Comments

You are not currently signed in. or register.You are not currently signed in. or register.
 
  • id="comment_107655927">
 
  • id="comment_107656357">
It's a cop out! People want POLICE on the the streets, not community support officers and definitely not citizens. How on earth do they think average powerless people can deal with some of the awful families who bully neighbourhoods when police have been able to do nothing?I can trust the police as they are accountable.
Report this comment
Link to this
    • A bigger Police presence and courts that hand out appropriate sentences is the key. Handing responsibility back to communities is an invitation for vigilantism. Perhaps if people were made to be responsible for the actions of their children then things might improve.A bigger Police presence and courts that hand out appropriate sentences is the key. Handing responsibility back to communities is an invitation for vigilantism. Perhaps if people were made to be responsible for the actions of their children then things might improve.
    Report this comment Report this comment
    Link to thisLink to this
    		•
    • Good ideas but will be impossible to carry through report your local thugs bothering your neighbour they will stop then set about making your life a misery,We have laws/byelaws already just need those who are supposed to upho,d the law doing their jobs instead of looking for more ways to control what they should be controlling nowGood ideas but will be impossible to carry through report your local thugs bothering your neighbour they will stop then set about making your life a misery,We have laws/byelaws already just need those who are supposed to upho,d the law doing their jobs instead of looking for more ways to control what they should be controlling now
    Report this comment Report this comment
    Link to thisLink to this
    		•
    • She has some good ideas. The real thing to address however is how to get beyond the "Neighbourhood Watch" syndrome: i.e. that these things tend to be taken up by the middle classes only, in areas where crime is comparatively minor. In order for these things to work, they have to work on sink estates and areas of deprivation. THAT will be the real challenge. Some good ideas though, keep going!She has some good ideas. The real thing to address however is how to get beyond the "Neighbourhood Watch" syndrome: i.e. that these things tend to be taken up by the middle classes only, in areas where crime is comparatively minor. In order for these things to work, they have to work on sink estates and areas of deprivation. THAT will be the real challenge. Some good ideas though, keep going!
    Report this comment Report this comment
    Link to thisLink to this
    		•
    • Baroness Newlove's report is niaive, rewarding "informants" has always been part of the tactics to fight crime. Rewarding a community is unworkable. Communities must have the community spirit to tackle crime in their areas without the enticement of rewards. Police have sufficient powers already to combat crime what they need are willing witnesses to provide evidence!Baroness Newlove's report is niaive, rewarding "informants" has always been part of the tactics to fight crime. Rewarding a community is unworkable. Communities must have the community spirit to tackle crime in their areas without the enticement of rewards. Police have sufficient powers already to combat crime what they need are willing witnesses to provide evidence!
    Report this comment Report this comment
    Link to thisLink to this
           
    Add your commentAdd your comment
    You are not currently signed in. or register.You are not currently signed in. or register.