About Safer Communities Torbay

The reduction of crime and disorder in Torbay is the responsibility of a dedicated team... Safer Communities Torbay

The Plan

Safer Communities Torbay, a partnership between statutory and voluntary sector agencies in Torbay was established in 1998 as the primary vehicle for tackling crime and disorder issues in Torbay.  Since its inception it has moved from strength to strength reducing crime and improving safety Torbay wide.  The Partnership prides itself on being active and innovative in its approach to crime reduction through effective collaborative working that directly involves service users and the wider community, essentially working with you, for you.  It’s mission statement is:

Working together in our community to make Torbay an even
safer place, increasing confidence, responding to local issues
and enhancing the quality of life for everyone.

A Community Safety Action Plan has been developed and prepared by Safer Communities Torbay on behalf of all the residents of Torbay. It sets out the key priorities for the Safer Communities Torbay partnership for the next three years, having listened and assessed the key priorities of our customers; the Bay Family.

What success will look like…

• Torbay will be a safe environment
• Torbay will have less victims of crime
• People of Torbay will feel safe
• People will be given an opportunity to change

Our priorities for 2008-2011…

• Increase respect and enforcement of anti-social behaviour.
• Community engagement (to tackle fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and hate crime).
• Alcohol-related crime and disorder.
• Drug-related crime and disorder.
• Domestic abuse.
• Killed and seriously injured at road traffic accidents.
• Facilities/services for young people to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Reduce adult re-offending.

Central Government targets and performance

In addition to local priorities determined to meet the Bay Family’s expectations the partnership is also required to meet Central Government targets: - Public Service Agreements, National Indicators and the Local Area Agreement. Performance against all outcomes, targets and projects will be monitored through Torbay.

Economic prosperity

The following outlines some of the ways the Community Safety Action Plan will deliver economic prosperity:

• Businesses will not want to invest in areas with high levels of crime or anti-social behaviour.
• The cost of domestic abuse to Torbay households is approximately ?3.72 million per annum.
• Every pound spent in drug treatment saves between £6 - £12 within Criminal Justice services.
• Young people with criminal records are less likely to contribute to the economy and have less opportunity for employment in certain jobs.

The Partnership

The Safer Communities Torbay partnership is led by the Safer Communities Joint Commisioning Executive Group that meets every three months.

Membership includes representation from a number of responsible authorities and organisations

• Torbay Council
• Torbay Care Trust
• Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
• Torbay Youth Offending Team
• Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
• Devon and Cornwall Probation.

Key Projects to be delivered 2008-2011

Key projects to be delivered include…

• Developing and implementing a Family Intervention Project in Torbay.
• Producing and implementing a communications strategy to increase public reassurance in residents of Torbay.
• To launch a ‘Thinking About Your Drinking’ campaign across Torbay, encouraging safe and sensible drinking and providing support to hazardous and harmful drinkers. This also includes the launch of a new website for advice and information.
• To improve the links between housing, employment, training and education with treatment providers to support drug users reintegrate back into the community.
• Assigning an Independent Domestic Abuse Advisory Service (IDAAS), to provide outreach support to a minimum of 30 victims (male & female) suffering domestic abuse.
• Increasing positive activities for young people providing more things to do, and safe places to go.