Safety and crime prevention continue to be high priorities for local people according to the results of the public consultation on the Interim Community Strategy. Worthing is actually a comparatively safe town, with rates of crime and disorder below the national and county averages, but a number of crime ‘hot-spots’ persist. Moreover, the fear of crime is a significant factor in how people feel about where they live.


THE TOWN WE WANT

Worthing will be a place where people are safe and feel safe, whether visiting, at home, at work, in the town centre or just out and about. The Town We Want will deliver a safer Worthing through a combination of prevention, education and enforcement, focusing on five priority areas:

• A safe night-time economy.

• Reducing crime relating to young people.

• A safer town.

• Tackling hate crime and domestic violence.

• Reducing drug misuse and drug-related crime.

WHAT WORTHING TOGETHER IS GOING TO DO NOW

• Tackle violent crime, including that related to binge drinking, through education, enforcement and the review of licensing, planning and transport policies.

• Tackle anti-social behaviour and its causes and effects by enforcing regulatory powers (eg anti-social behaviour orders and acceptable behaviour contracts), and by working with offenders, including oung people, to promote awareness of crime and its consequences, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

• Deliver a full neighbourhood uniform presence (Police Community Support Officers or Neighbourhood Wardens) across Worthing.

• Encourage greater community involvement in identifying and creating solutions to issues of crime and disorder.

• Reduce environmental crime such as deliberate fires, graffiti, litter, fly tipping, and abandoned vehicles.

• Improve the support and assistance available to victims of hate crime and domestic violence and encourage the victims of these crimes to report offences to the authorities.

• Reduce the effects and misuse of illegal drugs, alcohol and other substances.


WHAT WORTHING TOGETHER IS GOING TO DO IN THE LONGER TERM

• Deliver a balanced nighttime economy across the town which creates an environment where people of all ages feel safe.

• Promote good citizenship and encourage a law abiding community across all generations.

• Challenge behaviour that results in hate crime.

• Create an environment where the use of illegal substances and the abuse of alcohol are socially unacceptable.


HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

• Join Neighbourhood Watch.

• Support your community in tackling crime.

• Participate in joint community / agency groups to address local issues.

• Report problems in your area to the Police or Borough Council.

• Become a Special Constable.


If you wish to get involved in any of these opportunities, please call either :

Community Planning Team Worthing Borough Council Tel : (01903) 221051

Or

Worthing Council for Voluntary Service Tel : (01903) 528620