Harlow is granted Respect Area
status
Government Minister Harriet Harman was in
Harlow today (22 Jan) to see some of the pioneering work being
carried out to combat anti social behaviour and to award the town
Respect Area status .
She opened a new “Respect Shop” in the Harvey
Centre that has been set up by the Safer Harlow Partnership and
spoke to local people who have played their part in tackling
nuisance.
Respect Area status has been awarded to only
40 areas across the country and it recognises the work that has
been carried out to prevent and combat anti social behaviour
problems. Harlow will receive over £150,000 for new initiatives
such as a Family Intervention Project and a “Super Nanny”.
Harriet Harman met representatives of the
Safer Harlow Partnership and also local people including Jayne
Forshaw and the King family who both suffered antisocial behaviour
and intimidation from neighbours. She also met Council community
safety officers, dog handlers, and Skye the German Shepherd
dog, who are working to target environmental anti social
behaviour, and joined a meeting with police officers and police
community support officers.
Harlow currently has the lowest crime rate in
a comparison group of similar towns through the UK. Recent
statistics are showing an across the board reduction in anti social
behaviour reports received by the Council compared to last year.
The Safer Harlow Partnership has been recognised nationally as one
of the leading proactive Crime and Disorder Reduction
Partnerships.
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Safer Harlow Partnership Chairman, and Chief
Executive of Harlow Council, Malcolm Morley said: “We need to
challenge assumptions that anti-social behaviour is caused only by
young people. Our experience is that anti-social behaviour is
caused by all age ranges. This is particularly the case in
relation to neighbour nuisance. Indeed, one of the people here
today was harassed by an elderly neighbour.
“We were delighted to welcome the Minister to
Harlow and to receive confirmation that we are a Respect
Area. The Council is increasingly receiving recognition for
the improvements it is making and put in place a Respect Team some
time ago. It works effectively with its partners and the
community to cut crime and anti-social behaviour.”
The Respect Shop will be staffed by the Safer
Harlow Partnership. It will be open for one week and staff
will be distributing information and encouraging local people to
get involved with initiatives in their area. There will also be eye
catching displays of items such as mini motos that are frequently
cited as a major form of nuisance.
A “Spot the Respect Ball” competition
will be running where local people will have to spot 12 footballs
hidden in shop windows. The competition runs from Thursday
18th January to Saturday 27th January. Entry
coupons will be in the Herald newspaper, can be collected from the
Respect shop or downloaded from http://www.saferharlow.info/.
One lucky winner will receive an iPod and two runners up will
receive £20.
-ends-
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