RESULTS from the biggest ever survey of Crime and disorder throughout Wigan and Leigh are set to be unveiled early in the New Year.

Council and police chiefs are currently analysing the findings and putting the finishing touches to their crime and disorder 'audit' - a detailed dossier outlining the main problems in all parts of the borough.

The audit is the first practical result of the Government's flagship Crime and Disorder Act, which requires councils, police forces and other partners to work together on drawing up a strategy in consultation with local people.

One finding is that overall figures for crime are lower in the Wigan borough than in most of Greater Manchester. In the 12 months up to 1998, the borough suffered almost 28,000 crimes recorded by the police, amounting to some 90 crimes for every thousand residents.

This compares to 122 per thousand in Greater Manchester and 87 in the country as a whole. The figures will also show that over the past five years the rate of crime in the borough has been falling faster than the county average.

Since September, a team from the council, the police, probation and health services have been gathering the statistics that paint the fullest ever picture of crime locally. Once the report is published early in January, the team will be undertaking one of the biggest ever consultation exercises aimed at getting the views of local people about the findings, and where the main priorities for action lie.

Wigan Council's deputy leader, Cllr Tom Sherratt, said: "The borough has a good record on crime prevention and this new Act is partly built on the positive experience of partnership that the council, police and other agencies have developed.

"Crime is one of the biggest issues for our local communities and it's our job to work together to reduce it. It is no longer simply a task for the police - all agencies and council departments have a role to play, as do the public."

Early in the New Year, every household in the borough will receive information explaining how people can comment on the audit, which will be widely available.

Local questionnaires will be published and public meetings held to obtain the views of community groups and residents.

For a copy of the audit when it is published, or to comment now, contact the Community Safety Team on 01942 705266.

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