Press Release

16 May 2008

Survey finds people feel safer in Fareham

Residents taking part in the annual residents’ survey across the borough of Fareham have declared that they are feeling safer. Overall 94% of respondents said that they felt very or fairly safe in the borough.

The 2007 residents’ survey was sent to 4,000 randomly selected households across the Borough. Just under 1,000 people replied – giving a response rate of 23%. Analysis and yearly comparisons of the survey results relating to crime and anti-social behaviour are below.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour                                             2007    2006   2005*   2004

Percentage of people who feel safe whilst outside

during the day in their local neighbourhood                                  98%      99%     91%     92% 

7% feel safer in the day (2005–2007)

Percentage of people who feel safe whilst outside

after dark in their local neighbourhood                                          72%      67%     47%     51% 

25% feel safer after dark – local area (2005–2007)

Percentage of people who feel safe whilst outside

after dark in town and district shopping centres in

the borough                                                                                      50%     46%     24%      26% 

26% feel safer after dark (borough-wide) (2005–2007)

Percentage of people who feel that overall it is

safe to live in the borough of Fareham                                          94%     91%     73%      80%

21% more people feel Fareham is a safe place to live

Police figures on crimes committed within the Borough also reveal that crime and disorder is being reduced. Crime levels in the Borough in 2007/08 were down 13% - representing 900 fewer victims of crime. Criminal damage and graffiti is also down by 23%. 

Fareham is subject to a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO)  street drinking ban established and enforced by the Fareham Community Safety Partnership. The DPPO was set up to tackle antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and alcohol related crime in Fareham borough. The DPPO has recently been nominated for the prestigious Tilley Award which celebrates Problem Oriented Policing in the U.K, and is open to all Police Forces and partner agencies. 

Chief Inspector Steve Wallace said:  " We are very proud of last year's achievements and in the last six months, and we have also reduced anti-social behaviour calls by 27% across the Borough.  We are also tackling local priorities such as parking, speeding and littering with other partners." 

Executive Member for Public Protection, Councillor Arthur Mandry, said: “These figures help to confirm that the Borough of Fareham is a safe place to live. The Community Safety Partnership works hard to ensure that crime and anti-social behaviour issues are addressed quickly, fairly and firmly.

“But we will not rest on our laurels with these figures. We will continue to ensure that the safety of our residents remains a top priority for everyone working to reduce crime in Fareham.”

Ends

* The 2005 & 2004 survey gave residents an option to say they neither felt safe or unsafe. This option was removed in 2006.

For further information contact:

Mel McKeown, Head of Communications,  tel: 01329 824507 fax: 01329 821518, e-mail: publicity@fareham.gov.uk