Bridgnorth has topped the table partly because its crime figures are considered to be relatively low, and also because of improved road accident statistics and other criteria which measure the safety of local communities.
Figures from the most recent quarter – July, August and September – show there were 6.3 crimes committed per 1,000 people in the population, a rate which compares very favourably with many other districts.
A successful campaign by the partnership to reduce fatal accidents involving motorcyclists has had impressive results and there has not been a fatality of this type this summer. A variety of community safety messages have been taken into schools and many sectors of the community by agencies working together under the partnership’s umbrella.
Partnership chairman, Councillor John Hurst-Knight, praised all those involved in the projects, which include local councils, police and fire officers, schools and other agencies. He said Bridgnorth’s excellent performance was the result of much hard work.
“We do have some anti-social behaviour problems in the district, but we are living in a low crime area, indeed a very low crime area,” said Mr Hurst-Knight. “I would ask everyone to be diligent in reporting crime in any form so that the appropriate action can be taken.
“I would like to thank everyone on the Safety Partnership for their hard work and enthusiasm in actioning projects to maintain safety in our area”.
The partnership has handed over its mobile CCTV cameras to Bridgnorth Town Council to be placed in hotspots including St Leonard’s Close and Cartway and Highley High Street. Funds have been allocated to pay for outreach workers to work with young people in Bridgnorth as a pilot project to explain the dangers of alcohol to the young.
A grant of £10,000 has been made to combat crime at Birchmeadow Park, Broseley, the Severn Valley Country Park and Highley, and 450 shed alarms have also been distributed in the district following a number of shed break-ins. Work is also being done to combat domestic violence.
Bridgnorth District Council chairman Ed Shirley said he was “delighted” at the figures. “I congratulate all concerned on behalf of the local community,” he said.
Council leader, Councillor Elizabeth Yeomans, welcomed the news, but said there was no substitute for extra police on the streets to make people people feel safer.
“This is positive news – and I particularly welcome the introduction of outreach workers to engage with young people – but I don’t think these statistics give the full picture of what’s going on in the district,” she said.
“There are pockets of crime and problem areas where people don’t feel safe, and we need more visible policing.”
