The City Together is reviewing its Community Strategy, 2004-2014. We want to hear from you about one of the key areas which we believe will be essential to delivering a World Class City:
How we can help to support a World Class City which is safer and stronger?
Below, we set out some of the key facts and some of the challenges we will face over the coming years, as we see them. We are already working to address some of these issues and challenges, but we want your views on what else should be done.
Some facts
- Levels of crime in the City are low compared to London and the nation, and overall, crime figures are reducing year-on-year.
- There is an effective and long-standing relationship between City Police, businesses and City Corporation on security and anti-terrorism.
- The City’s population is predominantly white – the Bangladeshi community accounts for 4%.
- Over ¾ of residents agree the City is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together.
- Satisfaction with opportunities to be consulted are higher in the City than the inner London average.
- There are about 150 voluntary and community organisations, based in or providing services to the City’s communities.
The challenges we need to address
- There will be growth in the night-time economy leading to concerns about alcohol- related anti-social behaviour (urination, noise, violence).
- Other kinds of anti-social behaviour of concern to local people include homelessness, skateboarding, cycling offences, free newspaper distribution, taxi touting.
- It is important to maintain a police focus on counter-terrorism and fraud.
- The Government – through legislation – is demanding public services provide stronger accountability to local people, and to engage more with communities.
- We want to build community cohesion, and work to address potential conflicts between different members of the communities, including the negative perception about young people.
- We need to balance the needs of the City’s varied communities - residents, workers and businesses.
- We want to support the voluntary and community sector in its evolving role as a key deliverer of services.
What we are doing already
- Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership initiatives, e.g. Safety Thirst, Young City Safe, Domestic Violence advice, and a Taxi Marshalling service is helping to improve late night travel
- Planning for the City’s new Crime Strategy 2008-2011.
- Bringing different communities together to discuss key issues and to help local public service providers develop the right services and policies, e.g. resident meetings.
- Interfaith work (e.g. City inter-faith forum).
- Ensuring disadvantaged communities get appropriate investment and support.
- Establishment of a local Compact and a new City ‘council for voluntary service’ called City.comm (which is now actively engaging with half of the City’s voluntary and community organisations).
- City Action and Heart of the City programmes are helping to promote volunteering amongst City workers and businesses.
What else can we do?
We want to know what you think!
- Do you agree with the issues and challenges outlined above?
- Are some more important than others?
- Is there anything missing?
- What else can we do to tackle these issues and meet future challenges?
- What is the role of public sector organisations, and what is the role for individuals, businesses and communities in tackling some of these issues?