A few weeks ago several families living on Gulley Flatts rightly complained to their councillors that members of another household were filling their bins with rubbish. Clearly, the whole of the Council's waste collection strategy would break down if this antisocial action continued, and the councillors asked for the support of Louise Kelly at the West Cumbria Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. The next day, all the families that had been the victims of this behaviour were visited by Copeland's enforcement team, who examined the contents of all the bins. They quickly discovered from the contents that the rubbish had come from one particular household, which was given a severe warning, and all the rubbish was taken away.
By making a complaint to people who had the power to act those families proved that reducing crime and disorder is indeed the work of a partnership of which they are members. They did not need to "have a go" or put themselves at risk of retaliation. They complained to councillors who have a responsibility to take action on their behalf. The councillors were able to involve other partners, including the council's enforcement team, the housing association and the police. The Government has given these bodies more than adequate power to take effective action.
The Crime and Disorder Act of 1998 requires all local authorities, town and parish councils, primary care trusts, fire rescue and police services to work together to reduce crime and disorder in their area. This was a major change from the tradition of the police working alone to reduce crime.

Louise Kelly is passionate in her conviction that crime and disorder at any level must be confronted and stopped. She will not turn a blind eye to unacceptable behaviour anywhere, despite personal threats from criminals whose activities she has helped to disrupt. Rowdy behaviour from underage drinkers is the seedbed from which more serious criminal actions will inevitably grow. Violent crimes where alcohol is a factor have increased 18% over the last eighteen months, and the total of all violent crime linked to alcohol is around 27%. The task group has set itself a target to reduce violent crime by 20% between 2005 and 2008.

Prolific offenders can have a dramatic effect on crime in West Cumbria. The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership aims to target such offenders, bring them to justice, try to correct their offending and rehabilitate them into mainstream society. If they do not accept rehabilitation programmes while in gaol they will be targeted again as soon as they are free and will quickly find themselves back inside.
If you are aware of any problem of criminal or disorderly behaviour, don't shrug your shoulders or ask a newspaper to come out with lurid headlines that will make the vandals think they have won. Phone a councillor for your area, from the list that appears on page 7, and ask them to demand positive action from the authorities that have power to act.
Only three years ago people were saying that you dare not walk through the Castle grounds after 7pm for fear of threatening behaviour from underage drinkers. The actions of Friends of the Castle, with the active support of the Police and the Parks Department, have turned the grounds into a peaceful area which it is a delight to visit, and which has earned the recognition of Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards. It proves that determined citizens can turn things around.

If you would like any more information on the work of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, please contact Louise Kelly on 01946 833353.