Council is finalist in crime fighting project

St. Helens Council would like to say a big thank you to all residents and colleagues who voted for it in a national  crime-fighting award.

The authority came fifth out of 11 finalists in the 2012 Tilley awards for a project run by St. Helens Community Safety Partnership has been nominated for a national award.

The St Helens  2011 'Be a Good Guy - bin it, don't burn it' initiative, designed to reduce antisocial behaviour around Halloween and Bonfire Night, received thousands of votes in the on-line competition.

St. Helens Council and its partners including Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, and local housing associations encouraged reporting of the build-up of bonfire materials, ensured rubbish was quickly removed and put on extra activities for young people both in and out of school.

This resulted in a 37 per cent reduction in fires compared to 2010, while reports of antisocial behaviour to the Police dropped by eight per cent. Street bonfires reduced by 58 per cent, and the fire service experienced no attacks on crews during the period.

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection and Safer Communities at St. Helens council said:  "To get to the final at the first ever attempt at sending in a bid is a tremendous achievement.  More than 70 projects entered this year's competition so to come fifth is all the more rewarding. I'd also like to say a big thank you to all those residents who phoned in to report the build-up of bonfire materials - without these crucial bits of information, we wouldn't be so successful in tackling anti-social behaviour and preventing dangerous bonfires"

Minister of State for Crime Prevention Jeremy Browne said:   "The Tilley Awards are recognised across the world for highlighting the very best of British crime fighting and this year is no exception. Today's finalists should be proud that they have beaten some tough competition to make it through to the finals. 

"These projects show that when police, councils, charities and the public work together they can make the real, positive changes to issues that  matter to  local communities."

Local resident and member of Moss Bank Tenants and Residents Association Jim Sorby applauded the campaign adding:  " It was the quietest bonfire night in years.  What a difference a year makes."'