Residents join fight against crime and nuisance

Manchester residents are teaming up with the City Council and police to help make their city a safer place.

The first group of community volunteers, from areas including Gorton, Longsight and Rusholme, has received training and they are beginning to help in the fight against crime and neighbourhood nuisance.

The new community guardian KIN (Key Individual Network) scheme, run in partnership between Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police, gives residents the opportunity to adopt their local area and make sure problems ranging from graffiti and fly tipping to off road bikes and burglary are dealt with properly.

Volunteers will work as the 'eyes and ears' of the police and the City Council, acting as an official liaison between the authorities and local communities as part of a wider community force.

The volunteers are an important element of the City Council's crime and antisocial behaviour reduction strategy, which outlines what issues they will concentrate on over the next three years as they work with the police to make the city a safer place to live, work and visit.

The plan, launched at Levenshulme's Inspire Centre on Wednesday July 27, was drawn up after the City Council asked residents what they thought were the most serious problems in their neighbourhoods.

It sets out the five main priorities for the next three years - reducing crimes such as burglary, protecting vulnerable people, reducing antisocial behaviour, reducing drug and alcohol related offending and reducing the number of first time entrants into the youth justice system.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: "The Community Guardian Scheme is already making an enormous impact on our neighbourhoods, and in Manchester we are proud of the contribution volunteers make in our city.

"Our community force is growing in numbers and they are backing the majority of residents who take great pride in their local area. Manchester City Council is helping by supporting the many groups and individuals who play their part in making their own areas into better places."

Longsight resident Liz Sprenger, who has joined the scheme, said: "I feel that this can make a big difference in pulling the community together. It's awfully easy to sit down and complain about what's happening and expect other people to put it right for you, but there comes a point when you've got to do something yourself.

"If we all did a little it would add up to a great deal. I think this scheme will make a big difference in the long term."

Chief Inspector Neil Bholé said: "It is great to see so many residents volunteering their own time to make a difference to the community they are living in. Much of the work they will do will support front line officers and staff meaning that they can spend more time on the beat and be visible on the street."

Anyone interested in volunteering for their community should contact the community guardian team on 0161 953 2733 or e-mail communityguardians@manchester.gov.uk