NEW plans to crack down on crime which are being piloted in Atherton and Hindsford have been acknowledged as "the way forward" by council and police chiefs. Spearheaded by Wigan Council and the Police, local agencies and the community are coming together to develop and implement strategies aimed at reducing crime and disorder in the two areas. Local councillors Susan Loudon (Atherton) and Evelyne Smith (Hindsford) will be leading a team of Wigan Metro officers working in partnership with police officers from the Leigh subdivision.
The team will undertake a detailed examination of patterns of crime in their area, consult with local people on their perception of crime, and come up with plans to combat their concerns and worries. The group aims to involve community groups, Homewatch co-ordinators, schools and businesses in making the area a safer place to live and work.
Cllr Loudon said: "It is the right of everyone in Atherton and Hindsford to live in a safe community free from crime. We all have a duty to play our part in ensuring that this is possible. To be successful at fighting local crime we need local plans and action, but most of all, local people."
Partnership
The initiative has been welcomed by the Council's deputy leader, Cllr Tom Sherratt, who said: "The only way to fight crime and the fear of crime is to work in a partnership made up from the community, the police and the local authority.
"Most crimes are reported by the public and a lot of crimes are cleared up as a result of information received from the public. We and the police value this contribution and wish to build on it for the future."
The Council is aiming to pilot the scheme in the Atherton and Hindsford wards, but other areas will follow. Eventually it is hoped that the whole of the borough will be covered by local community safety groups.
Anyone interested in promoting community safety in their area should contact Cllr Loudon, on 0l942 873175.
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