Fewer people believe anti-social behaviour is a major problem in South Holland, according to the findings of a community safety survey.
It also revealed that litter and people being drunk or rowdy in public places are the top two anti-social behaviour issues perceived to be a problem in the district.
The East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership had 978 respondents from across South Holland, Boston Borough and East Lindsey to a survey on community safety.
The current priorities are anti-social behaviour, violent crime (including domestic abuse), community cohesion, fear of crime and alcohol misuse.
Each year the partnership reviews crime and incident data and seeks the views of the local community to ensure that it focuses on the issues that matter most to residents.
Some of the key findings for the South Holland area:
l Rubbish and litter lying around and people being drunk or rowdy in public places are the top two anti-social behaviour issues perceived to be a problem
l Fewer respondents (-19.3per cent) think that anti-social behaviour is a “very” or “fairly” big problem compared to last year
l The proportion of respondents who stated that they are “not worried” about being a victim of crime has increased by 9 per cent compared to last year
l Those who are worried about being a victim of crime are most concerned about anti-social behaviour and burglary
l The majority of people think that crime has stayed the same or gone down (67 per cent)
l The proportion of respondents who agree that the police and partners are successfully dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour has increased by 13 per cent compared to last year
l 68 per cent of respondents in South Holland agree that it is important to have CCTV in their area, and 68 per cent agree that it makes them feel safer
l The majority of respondents in South Holland (83 per cent) agree that the partnership’s current priorities are the main areas that the partnership should be focussing on.
The findings are being seen as useful and encouraging and the partnership is keen to build on the work it has undertaken over the last few months.
Coun Nick Worth, portfolio holder for community safety for South Holland District Council, said: “Through continuous dialogue with our communities we can fine-tune our action plan to address the issues that most concern residents.
“It is evident from this year’s survey that there is a large amount of support for CCTV.”
Street drinking and the undesirable behaviour associated with it is one issue which was highlighted by respondents as a key concern, and one which negatively impacts on feelings of safety.
The partnership will look at ways in which it can build on work undertaken to date to ensure that street drinking is reduced and residents feel safer.
The priorities will be ratified at a meeting of the East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership in January 2014.
The results are being carefully considered and will be used to help shape the partnership’s priorities for April 2014 onwards.