New deal cuts crime by a third

The government’s £2 billion new deal for communities
has helped cut crime by 30 per cent in some areas, according to the
first annual review of the programme, writes Clare
Jerrom.

The report shows that partnerships are making genuine progress
in boosting employment, improving health, raising educational
achievements and in engaging residents in making decisions about
communities.

Lord Falconer, neighbourhood renewal minister, said: “Decades of
neglect mean for all NDC neighbourhoods that there is long way to
go, but we will ensure that they continue to receive the support
they need to deliver long-lasting change.”.

The new deal was launched in September 1998, and now operates in
39 neighbourhoods across England. It is testing out new approaches
outlined in the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal aiming
to change and improve the delivery of main public services in
deprived neighbourhoods.

Joe Montgomery, head of the government’s neighbourhood
renewal unit, said: “The lessons learnt from the NDC experience
will feed into the work of other neighbourhood partnerships in
England starting to implement the neighbourhood renewal
strategy.”

“The 39 NDC partnerships have started to build firm foundations
for the future,” he said.