More local action needed to make Britons feel safe

LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) More should be done to tackle anti-social problems in local neighbourhoods as they have a far greater impact on how safe people feel than the actual number of crimes committed, according to a report today.

Graffiti, dirty streets, abandoned cars and noisy neighbours have a far greater effect on people's perception of an area than the real incidence of offences, the Audit Commission said.

As a result, although national statistics show crime has been falling for the last 11 years, most people believe it is on the increase.

''Our findings show that the actual incidence of crime, including serious crime, is not the principal factor determining how safe people feel,'' the report said.

''For a majority of people, it is their daily experience of anti-social behaviour in their immediate neighbourhood, on their street or estate, or their perception of what is happening locally, that shapes their view.'' The Audit Commission said that despite recent initiatives, such as the creation of crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRP) between police and councils, most approaches were ''too broad-brush''.

Instead anti-social behaviour needed to be targeted at a very localised level with more use made of frontline staff such as housing managers and neighbourhood wardens, as well as local people.

''Measuring crime outcomes at CDRP level can conceal huge differences in local neighbourhoods,'' the report said.

''A typical CDRP covers a population of over 100,000 people. So even if government targets on crime reduction are achieved, many people living in pockets of crime or in areas where anti-social behaviour is rife may not feel any better off.'' The most recent British Crime Survey in January found an increase in the number of people who perceived a high level of anti-social behaviour in their area.

Additionally the number of ASBOs (anti-social behaviour orders) rose 43 percent in the first nine months of 2005 compared with the previous year.

''Crime has been falling since 1995, but what is being measured does not always match the experience of people when they walk down their own street,'' said Michael Lyons, the Audit Commission's acting chairman.

''Local partnerships must focus on neighbourhood areas and work better together to collect, collate and evaluate data more effectively to ensure money is being spent where it is most needed.'' Crime has been a political focal point this week after Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged widespread public dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system.

That came after the government announced over 1,000 foreign criminals, including some serious offenders, who should have been considered for deportation had been released instead.

REUTERS SK PM0531