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Public views on crime plan sought Public views on crime plan sought
(about 3 hours later)
The public is being asked to give its views on a new five-year plan to tackle crime in Northern Ireland.The public is being asked to give its views on a new five-year plan to tackle crime in Northern Ireland.
The community safety strategy will be published on Monday. The draft proposals of the community safety strategy were published on Monday.
Official figures show that recorded crime in Northern Ireland has fallen by 15% during the past five years - an average of 82 fewer offences each week.Official figures show that recorded crime in Northern Ireland has fallen by 15% during the past five years - an average of 82 fewer offences each week.
"But the perception of many members of the public is that it has increased," said BBC NI home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney. "Making NI a safer place to live, work and socialise is a top priority," said Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins.
The new strategy aims to reduce crime and incidents of anti-social behaviour, as well as to increase public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system. "Public confidence in the criminal justice system is increasing, but we cannot afford to be complacent. Crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour have a devastating impact on individuals and communities and it is vital that we continue to tackle these issues at all levels."
It will bring together a range of government agencies, councils and local community initiatives, such as neighbourhood watch schemes, working in partnership with the police. Mr Goggins said the draft proposals put a clear focus on "ensuring that the needs of the community come first".
Families
"And we want to enable local people and their community organisations to be directly involved.
"We are putting added emphasis on diversion and prevention, with a clear focus on families, young people and the need to build strong confident communities."
The new strategy brings together a range of government agencies, councils and local community initiatives, such as neighbourhood watch schemes, working in partnership with the police.
It sets out proposals for community safety in Northern Ireland for the next five years under three key themes: Creating Safer Neighbourhoods, Focus on Families and Young People, and Building Strong Confident Communities.
Responses to the draft document can be submitted to the Northern Ireland Office's Community Safety Unit until 19 January.