Local MP Launches Crime Survey

3.51.33pm GMT Mon 5th Feb 2007

Local activists Colin Martin and David Ekinsmyth survey a local resident in Illogan

LOCAL MP LAUNCHES CRIME SURVEY

Following a number of reports of violent crimes across Falmouth and Camborne, local MP Julia Goldsworthy has launched a constituency-wide survey on crime.

The survey ties in with the Liberal Democrats' national 'We can cut crime' campaign and local activists are going to be joining Ms Goldsworthy and asking residents for their experiences.

In recent months there appears to have been a spate of violent crimes, including armed robberies in Illogan shop and St Day Post Office and most recently, a stabbing in Penryn. Ms Goldsworthy has undertaken a survey to try and get a more detailed view of local experiences to see how they fit with 'official' statistics and to highlight areas where future action is required.

Launching the crime survey in Illogan, Julia Goldsworthy MP said:

"The recent armed robbery in Illogan's local shop caused a number of people to voice their concerns about the level of crime in the area. Such incidents can have a long-lasting detrimental impact upon local communities and it seemed sensible to begin my crime survey in Illogan in order to gather residents' views.

"Official statistics show us the numbers of reported crimes in the area, but the results of this survey will give us a clear picture of how local people's lives are being affected by crime - including those cases which don't end up being reported to the police.

"Often, it is the fear of crime that has the greatest impact upon local communities and the robbery, coupled with ongoing reports of anti-social behaviour may have caused this to rise. This survey will reveal how safe people feel in their own neighbourhoods, quite aside from whether or not recorded crime has gone up or down."

Commenting on the initial results of the survey carried out in Illogan, local activist, David Ekinsmyth said:

"With the recent robbery and reports of anti-social behaviour, it is not surprising that, whilst official figures suggest crime in Illogan was down 50% this December, people do not feel any safer.

"Several of our respondents chose not to report a crime in the past twelve months, suggesting that police figures cannot always be accurate and can be potentially misleading. Almost every respondent in Illogan felt as at risk to crime or more so, compared to last year, many feeling unsafe in their neighbourhoods and some unwilling to leave their homes after dark."

The crime survey will continue across the constituency and Ms Goldsworthy and her team will be in the following areas over the next couple of weeks:

Saturday 10th February - Camborne

Wednesday 14th February - Redruth

Thursday 15th February - Camborne

More times and locations are to be confirmed.