Dublin 'could learn from Liverpool crime-fighting'
The Lord Mayor of Dublin tonight said the city could learn from the anti-crime strategy used in Liverpool.
In the last four years, the British city has seen sharp reductions in domestic burglaries, robberies and vehicle crimes.
Lord Mayor Councillor Michael Conaghan, who is visiting Liverpool as part of a 25-strong delegation, said he was very impressed with its crime-fighting approach.
“It’s very much a partnership approach to crime and security and they seem to be one of the most successful British cities in getting the structures up and going and getting the right results.”
Under the Citysafe programme, more than 20 agencies have joined up to tackle crime in the city, which is twinned with Dublin.
Mr Conaghan said firefighters were helping the police to track down arsonists and street crime wardens were patrolling streets to cut down on petty crime.
“Liverpool is now regarded as a very safe city. The students in university say it’s one of the reasons they come to study there.”
The Citysafe programme has specific targets for the next three years, such as reducing car crime by 20%. Some of its schemes include the forensic marking of school equipment to reduce theft, the provision of bus escorts and the setting up of a citizen’s jury to report on anti-social behaviour.
Mr Conaghan said the partnership approach would develop in Dublin with the introduction of joint policing committees in the Garda Bill.
He and the rest of the delegation are due to visit Leeds tomorrow to study more anti-crime initiatives.
