Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

42 mental and physical health, access to employment and training, financial issues and family relationships. Evidence suggests that supporting people with the right support at the right time and ensuring that there are not any gaps or inconsistencies between agencies may be most effective way in reducing crime. 11.3 It is known that both crime levels and perception of safety impact on peoples’ health and wellbeing. Although it contains some of the most deprived areas in England (as measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation), the district of Tendring is a relatively safe place to live. Essex has one of the lowest crime rates in England; Home Office figures show that only four police forces, of the 40 in England, had a lower crime rate. “Community safety is … a key concern for ward members. It determines how people perceive their neighbourhood and helps to reduce the fear of crime. In particular, a low crime rate is frequently seen by local people as their priority for a good place to live. And despite falls in crime rates, the public demand for community safety, and in particular a reduction in anti-social behaviour, remains very strong.” 41 11.4 Knife Crime 11.4.1 Prevalence of bladed weapons, particularly among children and young people, is increasing. This is evident at local and national level. Only Cowards Carry runs an education programme for children and young people but schools cannot always afford to run it, which means that the messages are not always getting to where they need to be heard. They would like to be able to offer sessions to parents, social housing estates and community groups across the district. There are nine weapons amnesty bins across Essex, collecting approximately 10,000 bladed weapons when they are emptied every six months. Driven by the fatal stabbing of her son, a Clacton mother founded the organisation “Only cowards carry weapons awareness”. It is based in Clacton 42 and its mission is:-  For weapons awareness education to be added to the national school curriculum  To raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a weapon  To petition for tougher action against knife and weapon crime  To change the mindset of teenagers who think they are 'cool' and 'safe' by carrying a weapon. The organisation works with schools, academies, Essex Police, Crime Stoppers, Fearless and other partner agencies. It is extending its reach across Tendring, further into Essex and beyond to raise awareness and lobby for change. It also places bladed weapon Amnesty Boxes around Tendring to enable weapons to be surrendered without question. 11.4.2 An analysis of overall recorded crime, together with an evaluation of responses from public engagement, identified that the key priorities for the Tendring Community Safety Partnership 43 should be the following: 1. Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour and Acquisitive Crime 2. Protecting Vulnerable People from Hidden Harms 3. Reducing Violence and Knife Crime 41 Local Government Association, Community Safety Councillors Workbook, October 2012 42 “Only cowards carry weapons awareness” website 43 Tendring Community Safety Partnership, Tendring District Council