26/03/2009

Regeneration award

Liverpool has been named the best council in the country for its regeneration success.

It has won a top award at the local government 'Oscars' for its partnership work with Merseyside Police to make the city centre safer.

The council beat off stiff competition from Birmingham and several London boroughs to be named the 'Best Council for Regeneration' at the LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London last night.

Even with a 25 per cent increase in footfall and 10 million visitors coming to the city during European Capital of Culture year, the number of crimes have plummeted by an incredible 40 per cent since 2005/6 - resulting in 6,000 fewer victims.

Lib Dem Council leader Warren Bradley said: "More than £3 billion has been spent transforming the city centre in recent years and we have been working tremendously hard to make sure visitors are safe while they are here.

"This award is national recognition of the incredible success that we are having in making Liverpool a great place to live, work and visit.

"Our strong relationship with partners such as Merseyside Police, the NHS, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses is helping us make great progress in creating a safer city."

The judges were impressed with the city's successes, which include:

• A 60 per cent reduction in theft

• Halving the number of domestic burglaries

• A 78 per cent reduction in stolen vehicles

• A 20 per cent reduction in injury from violence

Liberal Democrat Councillor Marilyn Fielding, Executive Member for Safer, Stronger Communities: "This reduction is incredible when you consider the huge increase in visitor numbers, the massive expansion in the number of bars, clubs and restaurants and the relaxation of licensing laws in Liverpool.

"It is a fantastic achievement which is virtually unprecedented in a major city, and confirms that we are one of the safest big metropolitan areas in the country."

The success has been achieved through a series of pioneering initiatives, including:

• Gold Zone policing - 12 additional dedicated police officers for the city centre paid for by the city council

• Taxi rank marshalling - to enable people to get into cabs safely on their way home, and reduce the risk of violence

• CCTV system covering the entire city centre, which acts as a deterrent and means police can get to trouble spots quickly

• Working closely with bars and clubs through the Chamber of Commerce to promote training for door staff and to educate bar staff how to say no to people who have drunk too much

• The Best Bar None accreditation scheme for Public Houses within the city aiming to raise the social responsibility and reducing crime.

The city was almost among the first to ban the drinking of alcohol in the street, which has been extended to the whole of the city centre, and uses anti social behaviour orders to ban troublemakers from the city centre.

Through the Business Improvement District, local bars and clubs in parts of the city centre already contribute towards additional street cleansing and litter collection to help keep the area tidy.