Victims and witnesses who have successfully spoken out against crime and anti-social behaviour were praised today by the Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey on a visit to Sheffield.
Sheffield will receive additional funding of up to £95,000 as one of 60 areas across the country that have signed up to become new Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas, delivering a key recommendation of the Casey Review. The new pioneer areas will each appoint a dedicated person - a Neighbourhood Crime and Justice (NCJ) Co-ordinator - to build public confidence in the police and courts by ensuring that the public have a greater say in the way their streets are policed and how offenders are dealt with.
During the visit Louise Casey met a witness who was instrumental in providing the necessary evidence to evict two individuals from their council tenancies as a result of drunken, abusive, threatening and noisy behaviour. The witness helped support other residents affected and stayed strong throughout the court process, despite facing abuse and threats towards her and her family. She is a shining example of someone 'taking a stand' against anti-social behaviour in her area.
Louise Casey said:
"Increasing public confidence is essential in the fight against crime as crime can only be tackled effectively when the police, the public and the criminal justice system work together. The most important thing is that victims and witnesses are protected by the authorities and supported by the community.
"I'm delighted that we are investing an additional £95,000 in Sheffield as one of the new Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas and look forward to seeing real changes on the ground."
