This audit has been prepared by a Working Party formed from within the Allerdale Crime Reduction Partnership Steering Group and follows on from the original document published in 1999.

Three years on, and in publishing the 2002/2005 audit, we are aware of the need for a very flexible approach to dealing with crime and disorder in the Allerdale area.

The Steering Group, therefore, encourages everyone reading this document to endeavour to play their part in helping us maintain and improve the living environment of your individual areas of home, work and recreation. By working together we can all make a difference!!

The amount of information contained in such a document as this cannot be achieved without much research and preparation. Our thanks, therefore, must go to the Cumbria Constabulary, particularly the Targeted Policing Initiative auditing team and Allerdale Borough Council and the Best Value team for providing us with the concise information the document required. Our thanks are also extended to all the organisations which have engaged with us, released information and willingly helped in researching and providing data. Without such assistance this audit would not have provided the comprehensive picture of local crime currently presented here.

It is our wish that in consulting on the audit comments are received from all quarters of the District. These will, where possible, be fed into the next crime and disorder strategy which will address the local crime hotspots identified in the audit as well as the concerns local people may have. These real concerns which, for whatever reason, may not have been detailed in the audit itself but which remain high on the public's crime agenda are seen as important aspects for the coming strategy where attention will be focussed on reducing the fear of crime.

John Head - Chairman - Allerdale Crime Reduction Partnership says:

"This document has been prepared by a Working Party within the Allerdale Crime Reduction Partnership Steering Group and follows the original document published in 1999.
Three years on and in publishing the 2002/2005 strategy we are aware of the need for a very flexible approach to dealing with crime and disorder in our Council area.
The Steering Group, therefore, encourages everyone reading this document to endeavour to play their part in helping us maintain and improve the living environment of your individual areas of home, work and recreation. By working together we can all make a difference!!
The amount of information contained in such a document as this cannot be achieved without much research and preparation. Our thanks, therefore, must go to the Cumbria Police Authority, particularly Mark Clowes and his team and Allerdale Borough Council and the Best Value Team for providing us with the concise information the document required."

"Although Allerdale Borough Council does not have responsibility for the Police or Fire Service, through our corporate objectives, and the services we provide, we still have a direct impact on community safety and on people's quality of life.

Through giving advice on home security, and advising developers on the design of estates we can make communities safer and more pleasant places to live.

We provide many leisure facilities and organise events such as the Spirit of Jazz festival. These raise the profile of the area, raise the self-esteem of people taking part and can also channel people's energies, particularly those of young people, into positive activities.
Through the Allerdale Crime Reduction Partnership, we work with other public sector agencies and with the business and the voluntary sector. This Partnership allows a joint approach to many crime and disorder problems which is often more effective both in financial terms and in the end result.

Allerdale is already a safe place to live, but by raising the profile of the area and by encouraging local investment in education, training and jobs, we hope to ensure that the people of the Borough, particularly the young people, feel they have a future and have a part to play in their local communities."