Coventry Community Safety Partnership

"NOT IN MY CITY"

NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED WITH TOUGH MESSAGE:

VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR IN COVENTRY WON'T BE TOLERATED

Overall crime in Coventry continues to fall and this contributes to the city being a great place for people to live, visit and invest.  Figures continue to show that people feel confident about the way the police, local authority and other agencies work together to reduce anti-social behaviour. Total recorded crime has reduced by 8.8% over the last 12 months and 23.4% over the last 3 years.  However, violent crime is still a priority for the Community Safety Partnership and this behaviour in public places and in households is still too high, accounting for a quarter of ALL crime in the City. Much of this behaviour, including aggression, assault and physical injuries is alcohol fuelled and will no longer be tolerated.

This new anti-violence campaign brings together the work of a number of agencies delivering on-the-ground visible activity to tackle the problem together with a clear message that if you are violent in this City don't be surprised if:-

• You are arrested.
• You are referred and required to receive alcohol treatment, drug treatment or anger management.
• Your housing provider writes to you to inform you that your behaviour is in breach of your tenancy conditions.
• You receive contact from social care services and particularly child care services if you have children.
• Your children’s school is informed to assess any impact your behaviour may be having on your children’s well being.
• You are prevented from going to certain places in the city or from doing certain things.
• Your local neighbourhood policing team and partner agencies regularly monitor your behaviour.

With the strap-line "Not in My City", the campaign builds on work that took place at the end of last year to tackle anti-social behaviour in Coventry and is designed to encourage reporting and make sure offenders know that violence will not be tolerated and victims will be supported.

Chief Superintendant Steve Glover, the Local Policing Unit Commander for Coventry said, "People should feel confident in expressing their dissatisfaction at acts of aggression, violence and drunkenness. It is not acceptable In our City and the behaviour has to change. Violent behaviour impacts on children, health services, business and ultimately the reputation of Coventry."

Martin Reeves, Chair of the Coventry Community Safety Partnership Board and Chief Executive of Coventry City Council said, "Current levels of violence must come down and the organisations that make up the Coventry Community Safety Partnership are bearing their collective weight to make individuals think twice before they resort to violence and aggression."

Ends

For more information and interviews contact:

Tim Coleman, Coventry Partnership Communications Officer on:

02476 83 1743 0r 07939250752

E-mail: tim.coleman@coventry.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

The Coventry Community Safety Partnership (CCSP) is a statutory partnership which includes Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust, registered social landlords, Coventry Youth Offending Service, local service providers and representatives from the voluntary, community and business sectors. The work of the CCSP is guided by a three year local strategy (Community Safety Plan) that outlines how it aims to cut crime and anti-social behaviour and address drug and alcohol misuse.