Joanne this week launched the second phase of her ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ campaign focusing on crime rates in Church Street.
Joanne has targeted Church Street for the second part of her crime initiative due to the continuing high levels of crime in the area and the effect crime is having on the wider community. Violent crime has risen by 12% in the last year and in August alone, there were 222 recorded anti-social behaviour offences in Church Street, an average of one incident every seven hours. Joanne’s ‘Safer Neighbourhood’s’ campaign in Church Street asks respondents to detail their own experiences of crime and their opinions on possible crime prevention strategies including: increased CCTV in crime hotspots, improved street lighting and 24 hour local policing.
Speaking whilst unveiling the second phase of her campaign Joanne said: ‘The people of Church Street have been let down badly by this Government. Rather than seeking to reassure local residents and tackle crime in the area with a strong police presence Labour has chained police officers to their desks with needless paperwork and box-ticking forms, undermining the well-being and security of residents. The second phase of my Safer Neighbourhoods campaign looks to address this by reaching out and working with the whole Church Street community, to help make the area a safer and better place to live.’
A local resident from the Lisson Green estate welcomed the initiative and Joanne’s emphasis on tackling crime in the area: ‘Car crime, drug taking and anti-social behaviour are a real problem and a constant worry for people living on the estate. This campaign to increase the police presence on the estate around the clock and work with residents to reduce antisocial behaviour deserves everyone's support.'
