The new projects are a coalition between local police, community activists, local authorities and retailers. Each area has identified the issues that are of greatest concern to their communities and have developed local solutions to test out ideas that can be built on to help transform their neighbourhoods.
The ten areas are: Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent; Croydon, London; Exeter, Devon; Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; Horsham, West Sussex; Lancaster, Lancashire; North Tyneside; Nottingham; Reading, Berkshire; St Helens, Merseyside.
The ten areas form part of a national network of communities working to tackle binge and underage drinking and anti social behaviour which Baroness Newlove will be supporting, including the ten areas announced in May that are sharing a £1m fund and the ‘Newlove Neighbourhoods’.
This network will celebrate and support all the hard work that communities are putting in, allowing them to share ideas and best practice across the country, and together, solve common problems and identify the red tape holding them back.
Baroness Newlove said: “I am convinced that the solution to underage and binge drinking and the crime and anti-social behaviour that comes in its wake can only be found when everyone, those affected and those paid to stamp it out, come together with total resolve to tackle it head-on. It’s not about huge amounts of money either, some of the best most effective approaches involve pooling resources, sharing information and improving existing communications.
“These ten areas, like the original ten, have impressed me with a local plan involving community activists, police, health workers and the retail trade and I want other communities facing similar problems to learn from their innovative example.
“For too long, a small minority has impacted adversely on our happiness, health and security. We have to change society’s tolerance to this unacceptable behaviour and the fight-back will be sown in these grassroots partnerships.
“Their success will be helped by the range of community powers available to them through new Government legislation and I shall be mentoring them and encouraging them throughout.”