The St Albans Community Safety Partnership wants to hear the views of local residents on crime and anti-social behaviour so that it can use these to help set priorities for the forthcoming year.

It would like to find out what types of crime are of concern and has put together a short online questionnaire for residents to complete at:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CZLRRVR

The Partnership, which includes St Albans City and District Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary, has been set up to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in St Albans City and District.

Its annual review of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in St Albans City and District, has found that from April 2010 to Dec 2010, crime fell by 13.1%, compared to the same period the previous year. In real terms this means that 821 fewer crimes took place across the District. A number of Partnership projects have all contributed to this reduction. These include:

• issuing over 300 Smart Water property marking kits to help prevent and detect dwelling burglaries,
• the Onside football project that runs in six locations across the District, which is attended by around 160 young people every week, and
• Community Involvement Days whereby police, council and fire officers visit specific locations to provide advice and to obtain details of residents priorities on crime reduction.

The Partnership is keen to continue reducing crime and to build a safer City and District, and is inviting residents to take part in a public consultation and to comment on the following key priorities, which will form the basis of the Community Safety Strategy for 2011/12:

• To reduce, prevent and detect crimes such as burglary, theft from the person, theft of and from motor vehicles.
• To reduce and prevent crimes drug dealing and possession.
• To prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour.
• To manage offenders more effectively through partnership working (joined up working between agencies).
• To provide reassurance and information about the work of the partnership and actively work with local communities.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Support for St Albans City and District Council, said: “It is good news that crime and anti-social behaviour has been reduced by 13.1% in St Albans City and District. However, we must continue to find ways of reducing crime even further and would welcome the views of local residents on this.”

St Albans Chief Inspector Richard Hann said: “This is your opportunity to help influence the Community Safety Strategy for 2011/2012.  It is only by working within the partnership that we are able to make a real difference to people’s lives – and this is where you can help – by letting us know what is most important to you.  We want to make sure St Albans continues to be an enjoyable place to live, work and have fun.”

The draft strategy and details of how to respond to the consultation can be found athttp://www.stalbans.gov.uk/community-and-living/community-safety/. Alternatively, please telephone the Partnership on 01727 819305.

Letters have been sent to residents who are members of the Council’s community panel inviting them to contribute to the consultation by 4 March 2011. The deadline for responses has now been extended to Friday 18 March 2011.