Press Release

Minister of State gets insight into Community Safety Partnership

Monday, 21 November 2005

The Minister of State David Hanson will arrive in Derry this morning, Monday, November 21st. As part of his visit he will receive an overview of the work carried out by the Derry City Council’s Community Safety Partnership and visit the City Centre Rangers project that is funded by the Community Safety Partnership in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office.

The Derry City Council Community Safety Partnership (CSP) was established in June 2003 to co-ordinate, develop and review, across different agencies and communities, practical and innovative approaches to crime reduction and enhanced safety as part of a multi-agency approach to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Derry City Council area and the environment in which they live.

Mayor, Cllr. Lynn Fleming welcomed the Minister to the city and said the visit was a good opportunity for him to get an insight into the projects.

The Chairperson of CSP, Councillor Thomas Conway said the he was pleased the community safety partnership was being acknowledged for its work.

He commented: “The Community Safety Partnership works with a range of projects to promote safety, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. One of the projects visited today, City Centre Rangers, demonstrates our commitment to improving safety. City Centre Rangers are the ‘eyes in the Street’ looking out for hazards and providing an early warning of potential problems, including anti-social behaviour. The results to date are remarkable, with almost 90% of reported hazards being resolved within 24 hours. They are an example of how supporting community safety projects can make a positive difference to community safety”.

As well as the City Centre Rangers Project, the CSP has been involved in funding the Night Rider Bus, a Community Safety Warden for the Outer North Community Safety taskforce, Ten Stories High (an intergenerational digital story-telling project) and a Good Neighbour Project.

Minister of State David Hanson will meet with Civic Representatives and representatives of the Community Safety Partnership before departing to meet with City Rangers, Hugh Kennedy and Kathleen Hughes.

Ends

Notes to Editor

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

The Minister David Hanson will arrive at the Guildhall on Monday, 21 November, at 11.15 where he will be greeted by the Mayor, Cllr Lynn Fleming ?, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Tony McGurk, Assistant Solicitor, Mrs. Tara Hegarty, CSP Chair, Cllr. Thomas Conway, Vice Chair, Cllr Sean Mackie and CSP Co-ordinator Mena Heaney.

11.20 Mayor Cllr Lynn Fleming will formally greet the Minister

11.30 Group will depart Guildhall for City Centre Initiative Offices (1 St Columb’s Court, Bishop Street) where they will meet with Stephen Kelly, and city rangers.

11.50 Walking tour of the Derry Walls (weather permitting)

12.00 Depart Chamber of Commerce House

Further press information can be obtained by contacting the Marketing and Communications Section, Derry City Council, Tel. 028 7137 6504.

The Derry City Council Community Safety Partnership members represent the following organisations:
· Derry City Council
· NIHE
· WHSSB
· Foyle Community Forums Partnership
· Opportunity Youth
· NIACRO
· Shadow Council
· Chamber of Commerce
· PSNI
· WELB
· DPP
· Newbuilding’s Community & Environmental Association
· North West Development Office
· Foyle Women’s Aid
· Local Strategy Partnership
· Foyle Young Person’s Partnership
· Probation Board for NI

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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