Amanda Taylor

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Community safety priorities set

by admin on 20 January, 2010

Government requires public bodies active in the area of public safety to produce an annual plan setting out their priorities for the year. In Cambridge, there is a Community Safety Partnership comprising the city and county councils as well as the police, health services, voluntary organizations and a trade body of local businesses.

The plan was presented to city councillors last Monday (18th January).

Five themes continue from previous years: house burglary and personal robberty, alcohol-related violence, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and reducing reoffending, together with a special project to tackle cycle theft.

Analysis of shop theft,the links between drug and alcohol abuse and theft were added as new areas.

Members were keen to emphasize their support for continuing to combat cycle theft, and it was pointed out that too often, cycle theft is a direct consequence of inadequate parking arrangements. Fortunately, the City Council has been addressing this, with newly installed cycle ‘loops’ at lamp-posts, the well used cycle park underneath Grand Arcade, and a study of new sites for bike racks.

Although this supp0rt was consensual, the lone Conservative councillor, Chris Howell, moved an amendment for the Partnership to prioritize cycle theft, despite assurances that this was already happening. It reminded me of those boys on the bus who insist on pressing the button even when the ‘Bus stopping’ sign is already lit up, so they are able to say ‘I did it’.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith, agreed to relay all comments back to the Partnership.

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