Wyre Strategic Assessment (2009/10 Refresh)

The Strategic Assessment is a legislative requirement of all Community Safety Partnerships, as part of the Crime and Disorder Review.  Its purpose is to present and interpret the summary findings of an intelligence analysis, and provide knowledge and understanding of community safety problems that will inform and enable the partners to;

• Understand the patterns, trend and shifts relating to crime and disorder and substance misuse.
• Set clear and robust priorities for the partnership.
• Develop activity that is driven by reliable intelligence and meets the needs of the local community.
• Deploy resources effectively and present value for money and undertake annual reviews and plan activities, based on a clear understanding of the issues and priorities. 

A full copy of the is available for download.

• Wyre strategic assessment for 2009/10 (Acrobat pdf file - 832kbb)

The Strategic Assessment will inform the Partnership Plan and will become a key document in the allocation of resources and achieving LAA outcomes, indicators and stretch targets within the Safer and Stronger Communities block.  The priority areas identified are detailed below.

Domestic Violence / Abuse

Domestic violence is a hidden harm which disproportionately affects one sector of our society.  Fylde Coast Women’s Aid and the Probation Trust report that their clients both have complex dual needs ranging from mental health, substance misuse and housing.  Both agencies reported housing as a real concern for their clients and with evidence suggesting that the problem is worsening substantially, domestic violence/abuse is of real concern to the Community Safety Partnership in order to prevent and protect.

Substance Misuse – Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol is the cause of considerable harm, to both individuals and the members of our communities.  It is an identified root cause of crime and disorder; particularly violent crime, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, all of which are consistently raised at PACT meetings and area forums across the district.  Alcohol is a driver towards feelings of insecurity and is also a cross cutting issue for many other community safety problems.  Alcohol is strongly associated with poor health and social deprivation and with the problem worsening slightly, the members of our community are considered at risk.

North Fleetwood – Pharos and Mount

North Fleetwood and the problems within it is a significant driver towards feelings of insecurity and consist of many cross cutting issues, all affecting public confidence.  This area of the district is currently being managed by the North Fleetwood Neighbourhood Management Team.  Community safety issues are substantially worse in North Fleetwood than any other area in Wyre.  The Wyre Community Safety Partnership will adhere to the Safe and Confident Neighbourhoods Strategy when tackling issues in this area.

Anti-Social Behaviour - Environmental

Environmental disorder is a driver towards feelings of insecurity and a signal indicator towards crime and anti-social behaviour.  Overall, the district compares favourably to its surrounding authorities, with regard to recorded environmental disorder.  However, the community satisfaction rate is in doubt when environmental disorder is consistently raised at PACT meetings and local area forums across the district.  Focus needs to remain on the cleanliness of the district.

Anti-Social Behaviour – Disorder

Anti-social behaviour is a distinct precursor to more serious crime and disorder and has a massive impact on the members of our communities; particularly in terms of the perception of their safety.  It is without doubt that there are areas of real concern within the district, where anti-social behaviour needs to be challenged; however the majority are low level ASB issues.  The focus needs to be on public confidence and perception.  Evidence shows that ASB has improved throughout the district; however the public’s perception has remained pretty much the same, with only a slight reduction recorded.

Substance Misuse – Drug Misuse

Drug use/dealing is a driver towards feelings of insecurity and is a cross cutting issue within a number of community safety problems.  Drug misuse can also be regarded as a causation factor to crime and disorder, particularly acquisitive crime, violent crime and anti-social behaviour.  Evidence suggests that the problem is worsening slightly and with the added threat of the proposed increase in alcohol prices, the district is at risk of further substance misuse problems