Ann Smith and John Reid by the vandalised plaque in Adswood’s Daisyfields estate
The Lib Dem team are campaigning to replace the plaque marking the opening of Adswood’s Daisyfields estate.
The brass plaque on a concrete base was erected in a quiet corner of the estate to mark the opening of the development back in 1991, with a government minister even attending the official opening.
Local residents contacted Ann about helping to trim the shrubs by the plaque. As Ann inspected the site it became apparent the plaque had been vandalised and the metal part stolen.
Now Ann is campaigning for a new plaque to be installed on the site. “The plaque commemorated a new beginning for the residents that moved into the area, many of whom are still here,” she said.
“We are exploring the possibility of replacing the plaque with a non metal version, as a two-fingered salute to the metal thieves operating in the area.”
Cllr Sue Derbyshire oversees crushing of 30 illegal bikes
Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Police, working together in the Safer Stockport Partnership, are holding a month long initiative aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour across Stockport.
The ‘Safer in Stockport’ initiative was launched with the crushing of 30 off-road motorcycles that have been seized by the Police.
These motorcycles have been confiscated under Police powers for being driven illegally on public roads, for causing damage to public spaces and for creating nuisance to residents, which is one of the main complaints received over the summer.
Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council said: “We are working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and its partners to show residents that Off-Road motorcycles are dangerous and cause a lot of noise and disruption to others. This event will hopefully show members of the public that you can have a motorcycle as long as you ride it legally and in a safe way.”
See more about the SSP and the ‘Safer in Stockport’ initiative on their website visit or call 0161 474 3143 or follow on Twitter @SaferStockport.
Crime has fallen in Stockport every years since 2003The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released the latest crime figures data, broken down by both type of crime and area.
Stockport’s figures show that recorded crime in Stockport more than halved between March 2003 and March 2013 falling 54%.
Specific areas of crime that came down in that time include
• Criminal damage and arson down 60%
• Domestic burglary down 60%
• Fraud down 67%
• Robbery down 65%
• Vehicle offences down 71%
• Violence with injury down 47%
Exceptions to the trend include sexual offences, reported up 2%,”Violence without injury” has also gone up, a category that includes assault without injury but also possession of weapons and harassment.
Away from the raw statistics, the Crime Survey of England & Wales confirms the falling trend.
But more needs to be dene to combat crime in Stockport. That is why the Council helped create the Safer Stockport Partnership to work closely with the Police and other key agencies in the borough to make sure the trend downwards continues.
Sue Derbyshire addressed the Safer Stockport Partnership conference
Lib Dem Councillors Sue Derbyshire and Mark Weldon remain determined to keep crime in Stockport falling after the Borough’s partnership model was praised for helping lower crime in Stockport for the ninth year in a row.
The recent Safer Stockport Partnership conference heard how crime has continued to fall thanks to successful partnership working.
The SSP has helped deliver sustained crime reduction in Stockport over the last nine years with over 15,000 victims of crime. Over the nine year period all crime has been reduced by 51% and burglary in people’s houses by 52%.
Councillor Weldon, who opened the conference, said: “It’s a remarkable achievement that crime has continued to fall in Stockport for the ninth consecutive year thanks to the highly successful partnership work of the SSP. However, we are not complacent and we are determined to ensure that crime continues to fall even further by building on the close working relationships with community groups and partner organisations.”
Before and after the graffiti cleanup from a graffiti culprit
A Stockport teenager cautioned by Greater Manchester Police for graffiti offences has removed his graffiti himself.
The formal police warning was followed by intervention from Stockport Council’s Youth Offending Service. The intervention can involve restoration to the victim to repair any harm caused by the offence.
The young person agreed to complete ‘restorative justice’ by removing the graffiti from the skate park at Woodford Recreation Ground.
Councillor Stuart Bodsworth, Executive Member for Communities and Sustainability, said: “The graffiti removal allowed the young person to turn a negative situation into a positive. He said that it made him realise how difficult it was to remove the graffiti and that it would change his behaviour in the future.”
“Graffiti is an illegal practice. It spoils public and private property and can be very costly to remove. The Council’s enforcement team works closely with the Youth Offending Service and the police to tackle incidents of graffiti to keep Stockport an attractive place to work, visit and live.”
Helping residents spot the things car theives look for
A car seized from a criminal under the Proceeds of Crime Act (pictured) was used by Stockport’s Safer Stockport Partnership (SSP) togive local residents insights into the minds of potential car thieves.
The car was parked in Mersey Square displaying the sticky ring left by a stolen sat nav on the windscreen, a lap top on the floor of the car, loose change, a mobile phone, sunglasses on the dashboard and window partially wound down.
The partnership consists of the Police, the Council and Greater Manchester Fire Service, and arranged the display to make people aware that most vehicle crime takes place where valuables are on show and the car is insecure.
Councillor Mark Weldon Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Supporting Communities, said: “Crime has fallen in Stockport for the 8th consecutive year and we are committed to reducing it even further. This event was a great way of getting the message to residents about how to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle crime. Taking simple measures such as removing valuable items from vehicles and ensuring vehicles are locked with the windows fully up will reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.”
Chief Inspector Leon Jacobs of Greater Manchester Police’s Stockport Division, said: “People can take some really simple steps to protect their property, such as parking in secure or well-lit areas wherever possible. They should also close all windows, use a steering lock and remove all valuables, especially sat navs and their mounting cradles. All doors should be locked and the immobiliser activated if you have one.
“It is a good idea to register valuables at www.immobilise.com and to security mark them with your postcode and house number or vehicle registration number. Motorists should also keep a record of the make, model and serial number of such items. Finally, car keys should be kept hidden at home and away from doors and windows to prevent hook-and-cane thefts.”
This event launched an extensive crime prevention campaign in Stockport to help prevent vehicle crime. Other activities taking place over the summer include:
· Distributing Safer Licence plate kits to local residents to secure licence plates and prevent their theft
· Talking life-sized cardboard cut-outs of Police Officers in foyers of stores with large car parks reminding people to remove their valuables and secure their vehicles.
· Posters and leaflets with crime reduction advice placed in community buildings and handed out at events.
To find out more about how to prevent your vehicle being targeted by thieves, visit www.saferstockport.org.uk or call 0161 474 3143.
