Changing Lives Making Communities Safer

This year Devon and Cornwall police force are participating in the Changing Lives Making Communities Safer campaign. This is the second year that the Home Office have invited partners to participate in a regional campaign.

Last year’s Tackling Drugs Changing Lives campaign in 2006 achieved over 640 pieces of coverage and communicated to communities across the country that action is being taken to tackle drugs and make communities safer.

Significant progress has been made in tackling crime, anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol. Crime has fallen by 35% since 1997, the risk of being a victim of crime remains historically low, new and innovative powers are being used to tackle anti-social behaviour, and there are record numbers of people entering drug treatment.

Despite this progress perceptions and fear of crime remain high and we know that the local media is among the main drivers of public perception of crime and drugs. This campaign is an opportunity for participants to communicate the difference they are making and communicate the action they are taking every day and to harness positive relationships with their local media.

Campaign Aims

· To communicate to local communities the work being done to tackle crime, drugs, anti-social behaviour and alcohol misuse in their areas, and the impact this is having.

· To improve people’s awareness of the action being taken, with the aim of helping them to feel safe in their community.

· To provide partners with support, expertise and a forum where ideas can be developed and exchanged, successes can be shared, results can be reviewed for effectiveness and relationships with the local media can be improved.

Government News Network are assisting partners with the campaign. As well as participating in national events, Devon and Cornwall police will be taking part in 3 creative campaigns. These have yet to be decided, but there is a toolkit with plenty of suggestions, held by Richard Turner and Natalie Bates.

National Events

National Tackling Drugs Day- 23 May 2007 & launch of awards

Deadline for nominations for Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards - 23 Aug

Regional finalists for awards announced- 23 October 2007

Awards ceremony- Nov 2007

Not in my Neighbourhood Week- 15-21 October.

The 2006 Tackling Drugs Changing Lives campaign proved there is a real appetite for positive stories. It is hoped the Changing Lives Making Communities Safer campaign will be the same, providing partners with the lever to build relationships with their local media and to maintain the flow of more balanced coverage on crime and drugs.