Why was the community safety partnership set up?

The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act  (later amended by the Police Reform Act 2002) placed a statutory duty on the police, the local authority, the police authority, the fire authority and health to work in partnership with other key agencies, to form partnerships to prevent crime and improve community safety. 

In 2004, the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership in Blackburn with Darwen 'merged' with the Drug and Alcohol Action Team to become a Community Safety Partnership.  Since this time, the Partnership has looked beyond crime and disorder to focus its efforts on responding to a wide range of broader community safety concerns that local people have identified to be important to them.  The Partnership response to preventing crime and improving community safety ensures a joint and co-ordinated approach across the borough.

What are the aims of the partnership?

The 2005-2008 Community Safety Strategy has been developed to respond to local community safety priorities.  These priorities were identified through an audit of crime, disorder and substance misuse, and consultation with residents and partner organisations, who live and work in the borough.  Findings gathered from the crime and disorder audit, research and consultation identified that the following priorities which have formed the focus of the Partnership's work from 2005-2008:

Reduction of key crimes

• violent crime
• burglary
• vehicle crime
• crimes against local businesses
• domestic abuse

Increasing confidence and safety in neighbourhoods through reassurance

Preventing anti-social behaviour focussing on:

• abandoned vehicles
• deliberate fire setting
• nuisance behaviour
• graffiti and litter
• sex working
• hate crime and harassment
• road safety
• increased support for victims and witnesses

Targeting prolific and other priority offenders

• prevent and deter
• catch and convict
• rehabilitate and resettle 

Reducing the impact of drugs and alcohol misuse

• availability of illegal drugs
• increased access to drugs services / alcohol misuse
• treatment and support for adults and young people
• improving quality of life for communities

Strengthening the Community Safety Partnership

• increased voluntary and community engagement
• improved communication and awareness training
• training / information / inter-agency action

What are thematic working groups?

As part of the Local Strategic Partnership there are nine thematic working groups whose purpose is to deliver annual action plans to meet partnership targets.

Access the information about these groups by following the link below.

Thematic working groups

How can I keep up to date with the work of the community safety partnership?

Use the link below to access current and archived newsletters, which tell you what is happening both locally and nationally

Community safety partnership newsletters

Further information

You can look at the Strategy in full, by downloading the document (pdf)

Community Safety Strategy 2005-2008

For further information please contact the community safety team on (01254) 585717 or (01254) 585473

Email: communitysafety@blackburn.gov.uk

Page updated : 20 February 2009