Dear Sir,
I received two pieces of good news about crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in my ward last week.
The first was that, last year, Woodham/Middridge had the lowest crime rate in County Durham (one sixth that of the worst area in County Durham). The second was that, in April this year, ASB in Woodham was (at 9 reported incidents) the lowest in Great Aycliffe, whilst ASB in Greenfields (the area which includes the southern half of my ward) was second-lowest, at just 11 incidents. This is fantastic.
Why should this be so? One of the reasons is Insp. Sarah Honeyman’s multi-agency Great Aycliffe ASB Group, which has been meeting to coordinate the response to anti-social behaviour. As the various agencies have met and shared information, ASB in Great Aycliffe has all but halved.
There are, however, other factors at work than effective enforcement. The Police especially praise the residents’ associations in the ward for the work they do to lay on events and build community cohesion. They also comment how people in Aycliffe North ward are willing to help the police, to offer information, and to report issues.
I would like also to suggest two further reasons. I congratulate the young people of the ward – random vandalism has dropped away of late. And I would also draw attention to the growing pride of the community in itself, which leads people to care about their neighbours and their neighbourhood.
This does not mean that we can stop being vigilant and proactive, or that I am minimising the harm crime does to its victims. Neither does it mean that there are no problems to address in Aycliffe North ward (one such being low employment skills and qualifications).
But, for the moment, let’s just enjoy the fact that we live in a place which is not only tops when it comes to its green and healthy environment, but which is one of the safest places to live in the county.
Cllr John D. Clare
