Community safety and security relies on recognising residents 'as experts in their own neighbourhoods', says report

Partners against crime – councils working to make places safe and secure has been published by the LGA. Researched and written in partnership with Rainer Crime Concern, it contains eight case studies that provide just a glimpse of the range and extent of the contribution of local authorities to community safety and it aims to show the value of prevention and early intervention.

In the north of England, for example, two miles south of South Shields city centre, Horsley Hill estate had benefited from substantial investment in its redevelopment, but even this was not enough to create a ‘feel good’ factor.

As some residents recalled: 'the estate was experiencing a lot of anti-social behaviour and many residents felt intimidated. Bits of the estate were a bit of a mess with overgrown gardens and untidy streets and as residents we felt there were lots of problems that needed addressing.'

The turning point proved to be recognising residents as experts in their own neighbourhoods, and finding creative ways of involving them in analysing issues and developing solutions.

Overcoming early cynicism, 10 residents took part in training in ‘participatory appraisal’, then set off on a journey of talking to other residents and producing ‘actions not words’.

The focus was not just on the problems, but also on the positive aspects of living in Horsley Hill. There were quite a few of these, not least the friendly community, having good neighbours and having family and friends close by. There was also a lot that needed doing, and from their consultations the residents team came back with over 100 proposals grouped under 12 ‘vision themes’.

Suggestions ranged from a new pedestrian crossing to weekly drop-in services for employment and healthy lifestyles information to monthly meetings to address anti-social behaviour.

Seeing early results was important and helped build confidence in what could be achieved. For residents this meant early action to tidy the gardens of empty properties, moving wheelie bins and removing the unsightly brown shutters. Family learning classes, new IT facilities and a ‘do your bit day’ also made a difference early on.

Both then and since, councillors’ involvement was important, acting as champions for the estate and helping get things done. Nine months, 1300 voluntary hours and over 1400 consultation responses later, and the team was well on the way to producing a neighbourhood action plan, also noting resident feedback that 'the area is quieter and they feel safer.'

Residents are right to feel safer. Between 2005 and 2007, motor vehicle theft fell by 74 per cent; domestic burglary by 44 per cent; youth incidents by 41 per cent; criminal damage by 32 per cent and anti-social behaviour by 27 per cent.