Enfield questions residents on crime

Enfield Council has launched a major consultation among its residents as a method of gauging which crimes people would like to see targeted most in its reduction strategy, with a survey designed to achieve this very purpose.

Currently, the authority's priority is to combat serious youth violence as a matter of urgency, closely followed by violence against women and girls and acquisitive crimes such as robbery and burglary.

Antisocial behaviour and community engagement languish at the bottom of the list, but residents living in the London borough will have a chance to change the council's priorities by voting in the survey.

Enfield Council's cabinet member for community wellbeing and public health Christine Hamilton is anxious to emphasise that, while the area is extremely safe, the committee remains determined to find new ways to drive down crime.

"It's really important that residents have their say on what crimes we focus our efforts on and make sure the offences we are tackling are the ones that concern our communities the most," she said, adding that 10,000 people had taken part in the survey when it was conducted last year.

The results will be analysed and then put into practice by the Enfield Safer and Stronger Communities Board, which is made up of a number of publically funded organisations including Enfield Council, the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade.

Chief Superintendent Jane Johnson, Enfield Police Borough Commander said: "We are really keen to hear the views of residents in Enfield taking part in this consultation.

"We are focusing our attention on the crimes and issues that matter to them most."

A consultation meeting is set to take place on February 28th at 7pm, with surveys, questionnaires and a token box system of priorities set to be handed out at train stations during peak rush hour.

Published 22nd February, 2013

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