Community Safety is an area of concern for all communities. It is a subject that has consistently been shown to be a high public priority and one that can effect the quality of life for individuals and entire communities. In recent years it has been acknowledged that tackling community safety issues cannot be done by the police alone and that a multi-agency approach can be far more effective.
This partnership approach was enshrined in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which made it a statutory duty for each local authority area to have a Community Safety Partnership in place. CSPs made up of representatives from the local authority, the police force, the police authority, the fire and rescue authority, the local health board and probation. Partnerships are required to produce 3-year Partnership Plans, revised annually and based upon an annual strategic assessment.
In addition to the specific role played by local authorities as part of the partnerships, many other core local authority services contribute to making Wales’ communities safe including:
- transport: for road safety;
- education: promoting citizenship and to divert young people away from crime;
- environment: responding to and preventing environmental crime such as graffiti and fly-tipping;
- housing: protecting residents from anti-social behaviour;
- social services: protecting vulnerable people and the victims of crime and coordinating Youth Offending Teams;
- leisure and culture: providing alternative activities for those at risk of offending;
- planning: designing a built environment that discourages crime and anti social behaviour;
- community services: providing warden schemes and CCTV schemes;
- regulatory services: promotion of the statutory licensing objects under the Licensing Act 2003 regarding the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of the public.
The role of local authorities in helping to deliver the community safety agenda is further reinforced by the broad duty set out under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act whereby local authorities are required to consider crime and disorder and anti social behaviour in the discharge of all of their functions.
Local Authorities also have a duty to have in place a Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee to review and oversee the work of CSPs.
WLGA Views and Activities
The WLGA’s primary purposes are to promote better local government and its reputation and to support authorities in the development of policies and priorities which will improve public services and local democracy. The WLGA represents the interests of local government in respect of community safety, as well as the interests of its associate members.
Community Safety covers a broad area of policy including, but not limited to, policing, crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, domestic abuse, and fire. Community Safety is located within the Equalities and Social Justice directorate of the WLGA.
The WLGA currently facilitates and provides the secretariat support to the All Wales Community Safety Forum.
WLGA Spokesperson
- Cllr Des Hillman: WLGA political spokesperson on Community Safety
WLGA Advisers
- Stephen Carr: Community Safety Manager: Cardiff
- Steve Williams: Head of Public Service Support: Torfaen
- Phil Rafferty: Head of Regulatory Services: Conwy
- Helena T Hunt: Community Safety Manager: Blaenau Gwent
- Sian Jones: Community Protection Team Leader: Flintshire
For more information contact: Seth Newman