You might not think it from reading the newspapers, but crime has fallen over the last 10 years.
Not that this matters to those unfortunate enough to have been a victim.
And nor does it mean we can afford to relax.
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It does show the gap between the reality of crime and perceptions about it.
And one way of closing that gap is to try to increase people's confidence in the criminal justice system. As the saying goes, 'justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done'.
It's something we have been pioneering in Blackburn over the past five years.
I have chaired nearly 50 residents' meetings on a regular schedule around the town.
These involve the police chief and local officers, the leader of the council, senior council officials and local councillors - and now the health service too.
These meetings discuss and report back on the concerns of residents.
Attendance is always good and I have no doubt that the change in confidence in the police has been palpable.
Another way of building this kind of confidence is through the development of "community courts". The best examples are in Liverpool and Salford. The Liverpool court is one building together with all the major criminal justice agencies, from the police and Crown Prosecution Service to probation and drug teams.
A single full-time judge manages proceedings, meaning he's come to be seen as a key figure in the community.
It's such a successful idea that we are getting more schemes under way across the country. One day it'd be great to see one in Blackburn. The value of community courts is that they provide a degree of continuity and familiarity.
Just as it helps a pupil to perform better if they are taught by the same teacher, so an offender is more likely to turn away from criminality if supervised over time by the same District Judge or magistrates' panel.
The evidence is that this approach can mean an offender is less likely to miss his or her court appearance, is more likely to complete their sentence and most importantly, there's a lower likelihood of reconviction.
Knowing who you are dealing with, and will continue to deal with, sustains confidence in almost any situation, but is especially important where the individuals concerned - the offenders - typically come from chaotic backgrounds.
The schemes work because of their links with the community. They are rooted in the communities and can only work if they respond to the community.
The inspiration for the Liverpool court was one which operates in Brooklyn, New York.
I visited it last month, and sat with the judge on the bench as a number of offenders had their cases reviewed.
There were some heart-warming cases of people who'd committed offences and been punished, but also, thanks to the nature of the court, been given support and encouragement towards a better future away from crime. In one woman's case, we all gave her a round of applause, such was her success in fighting drugs.
One of the keys to its success are the familiar faces.
If those in charge constantly change, and are distant from the people they are working for, they'll be less effective and more out of touch.
But if they get close to the community, they do their jobs better - and we all get a better service.
Posted by: Nostradamous, Blackburn on 3:03pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Jack come on mate,give us some credit,we do have a brain ya know,crime as fallen you say,or are you really meaning the way we now report crime as took lots of crime out of the counting,this is no way a safer place to live now than it was 10yrs ago,and everyone who reads this post must surely agree with that,or maybe they look at the world through NEW labour glasses,(notice i didnt say RED)LOL..
Jack come on mate,give us some credit,we do have a brain ya know,crime as fallen you say,or are you really meaning the way we now report crime as took lots of crime out of the counting,this is no way a safer place to live now than it was 10yrs ago,and everyone who reads this post must surely agree with that,or maybe they look at the world through NEW labour glasses,(notice i didnt say RED)LOL..
No wonder Jack Straw and his legal cronies are keen on community punishments. Repeat offenders are the lifeblood of the legal industry and the government (consisting chiefly of solicitors, lawyers and barristers) will never be keen to cut of such a rich source of revenue, even if society at large has to suffer as a consequence.
No wonder Jack Straw and his legal cronies are keen on community punishments. Repeat offenders are the lifeblood of the legal industry and the government (consisting chiefly of solicitors, lawyers and barristers) will never be keen to cut of such a rich source of revenue, even if society at large has to suffer as a consequence.
Posted by: Nostradamous, Blackburn on 8:19am Fri 28 Mar 08
Dead right there Bob,Blair and his wife and all the rest of these boys and girls have really spanked the British public with there new laws,the solicitors and barristers would never ever want LABOUR (yes can you believe i said Labour)out of office.i liken NEW labour to the football club MK Dons they highjacked a footy club moved it about a bit and called it a new name that in no way resembles the old club,BUT the supporters of the old club are at last beginning to wise up.
I really fear as to what they will do next to keep hold of power,short term financail fixes thats what will happen,just wait and see i feel so,so sorry for the up and coming generation they really have no chance,and they will live there lives under an unenforced curfew,as they would dare not travell the streets at night for fear of being robbed or murdered,in truth it isnt far from that now.
The country is in ruins because of these pretenders,it will certainly take some pulling round,and as my name suggests i predict years of misery to follow this lot..amd may i appologise now as i DID vote for them..i am so sorry.
Dead right there Bob,Blair and his wife and all the rest of these boys and girls have really spanked the British public with there new laws,the solicitors and barristers would never ever want LABOUR (yes can you believe i said Labour)out of office.i liken NEW labour to the football club MK Dons they highjacked a footy club moved it about a bit and called it a new name that in no way resembles the old club,BUT the supporters of the old club are at last beginning to wise up.
I really fear as to what they will do next to keep hold of power,short term financail fixes thats what will happen,just wait and see i feel so,so sorry for the up and coming generation they really have no chance,and they will live there lives under an unenforced curfew,as they would dare not travell the streets at night for fear of being robbed or murdered,in truth it isnt far from that now.
The country is in ruins because of these pretenders,it will certainly take some pulling round,and as my name suggests i predict years of misery to follow this lot..amd may i appologise now as i DID vote for them..i am so sorry.
Posted by: Johnnyboy, Blackburn on 4:46pm Fri 28 Mar 08
So this all comes from 'our Jack' who has his own bodygards and has his own heavily secured home.
Yet,
A worrying trend is how many young people are actually murdering EACH other all over the country which is beyond alarming yet 'OUR JACK' posts this totally skewed drivel.
What sort of future is Jacks policies creating for our children.
Are suspended life sentences around the corner because weve nowhere to put them.
So this all comes from 'our Jack' who has his own bodygards and has his own heavily secured home.
Yet,
A worrying trend is how many young people are actually murdering EACH other all over the country which is beyond alarming yet 'OUR JACK' posts this totally skewed drivel.
What sort of future is Jacks policies creating for our children.
Are suspended life sentences around the corner because weve nowhere to put them.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 1:20pm Sat 5 Apr 08
Isn't it the job of a Politician to give the 'appearance' that something is being done about something.
Without actually ever managing to resolve anything.
Isn't it the job of a Politician to give the 'appearance' that something is being done about something.
Without actually ever managing to resolve anything.
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