CCTV cameras and Neighbourhood Watch have been identified as number one priority in AltonÕs bid to fight crime.
The decision made by East Hampshire District CouncilÕs north west area community committee was based on the premise that Òprevention is better than cureÓ and that a community should take greater responsibility for its own safe well-being.
It followed a presentation at last weekÕs meeting by EHDC community safety co-ordinator, Sandra Tuddenham, on the emerging Community Safety Action Plan for 2002/05.
The plan aims to ensure that the police and local authorities work together in tackling the issues most important to local people.
With the current three-year plan coming to an end in March, local residents have once again been consulted to ascertain their fears and experience of crime.
According to Ms Tuddenham, while East Hampshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the county an audit, undertaken by the University of Portsmouth, has revealed that fear of crime, crimes against property, anti-social behaviour and the need for better access to support services are of concern to local people. In addition, access to transport and leisure was found to be an important factor for young people.
During the debate that followed, the swell of opinion was in favour of pursuing an on-going bid for CCTV cameras in the town and the further development of community initiatives which have already had significant impact on reducing crime levels in the area.
While the most recent bid by former Alton police Inspector, Nigel Hindle, to install CCTV in the town had failed because crime levels were not high enough to attract funding, it was agreed to follow his lead and try again.
Running with a suggestion from the floor, Jim McKell (Alton SE) felt the installation of CCTV cameras to be Òvitally importantÓ in the control and prevention of crime. They had a proven track record of crime reduction in places like Petersfield and Alton should not be deterred by the arguments against. He urged the committee to obtain costing for a scheme.
ÒIn Alton we have crime every Friday and Saturday night in the form of ambushes and fights. We want to stop that sort of thing,Ó he said.
Mr McKell also suggested that CCTV would help in the implementation of a Ôno drinkingÕ policy while walking in the streets which he believed would cut down on aggressive behaviour.
Stewart Glasgow (Beech and SW Alton) agreed with others that the cost of installation and monitoring CCTV cameras would be balanced by the subsequent reduction in crime and damage.
ÒWe have a problem with recruiting police and are therefore asking too much of those we have got. We need CCTV,Ó he said.
Anne Storey (Four Marks) was concerned, however, that putting CCTV into Alton would see a displacement of crime into the villages.
While believing that CCTV could provide part of the answer to AltonÕs problems, Bob Booker (Alton NW) pointed out that the UK was now the most watched of all populations in Europe. ÒWe have more CCTV cameras than anywhere on the Continent and IÕm not sure that itÕs the only answer,Ó he said.
Sandra Tuddenham agreed. ÒI would be interested in looking at costings for a CCTV scheme for Alton but I donÕt want to give the impression that it will be a Ôcure-allÕ. It is a wonderful tool when used in conjunction with other community safety initiatives,Ó she said.
Bob Booker was keen to stress the role of the local community in helping to stem crime.
ÒWe should applaud the work of such community initiatives as Neighbourhood Watch, Pubwatch and Shopwatch which have been very successful.
ÒPeople used to think of Alton as Ôeasy pickingsÕ but not anymore. A lot of people have been caught and prosecuted thanks to those schemes,Ó he said.
His plea was for greater community involvement. ÒYou are our ears and our eyes,Ó said Mr Booker who pointed out that there was less reporting of criminal activity now than there ever has been. ÒAs a community we are pretty good in Alton - we are good at reporting crime, but we could be better,Ó he said.
In summing up the recurring theme of the meeting that Òwe should all be involved in the policing of our societyÓ, committee chairman Jerry Janes felt the priority should be to investigate the cost of CCTV cameras and to place greater emphasis on the role of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
ÒI think this meeting sends a clear message that we in the Alton area value the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and we would like the police to support it too.
Two crime conferences have been arranged to discuss the new action plan.
To be attended by members of the district and county councils, the police, business and voluntary sector, the first is for young people and will be held on Tuesday, February 12, at the Millennium Hall, Liphook, while the second, for the wider community, will be held at the same venue from 9 am to 1 pm on Friday, February 22.