The Safer Neighbourhood Programme, Birmingham

The city had experienced crime and anti-social behaviour problems in specific, disadvantaged communities and neighbourhoods for many years. The city's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership identified that a community based, partnership model was required to respond to complex problems these areas presented; Crime Concern's Neighbourhood Safety model was deemed to be the most appropriate.

The Birmingham programme was based upon the tried and tested ‘Audit to Action’ approach of Crime Concern's own Neighbourhood Safety Pilot programme that ran successfully from 1998-2002. The programme offers a way into priority neighbourhoods which engages both the community and the agencies. Through the identification of the problems, the planning, delivery and performance management of work, the local partnership targets the key prorities for the community using situational crime prevention methods. In the Birmingham programme, the city recognized that the need to focus at a local level and to involve the community was imperative.

Contact:
Irene Cole, irene.cole@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Home Office, Allington Towers, 19 Allington Street, London
www.crimeconcern.org.uk

The project started in 2001.
Last review: December 2004.