Sheffield feels safer with the Lib Dems

12.00.00am GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

A recent Sheffield City Council survey has shown that, after less than two years in power, Liberal Democrats in Sheffield have shaken up the system for dealing with anti social behaviour in the city and local people are feeling safer.

The survey shows that the perception of 'vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage' as a problem had dropped from 40% in 2008 to 35% in 2009. With the Council under Labour control that figure had risen from 36% to 40% between 2006 and 2008.

In addition the number of people in Sheffield with a high perception of anti social behaviour in 2008 was 22.7%. The 2009 survey shows a reduction in Sheffield to 19.1%, below the national average of 22.1%.

Cllr Bob McCann, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Sustainable Communities said: -

"When we took over from Labour in 2008 we said we would deal with crime and anti-social behaviour more effectively. Whilst there is still a long way to go, these latest figures prove that we are on the right track. It goes to show that tough and effective action by the Liberal Democrats has a much greater effect than Labour's all spin but no substance approach."

Last year Liberal Democrats invested in an additional graffiti-clean-up-team, who cleaned an extra 2,130 square metres of graffiti across Sheffield compared to the year before. Lib Dems also launched an annual Sheffield Spring Clean event.

In addition Lib Dems on Sheffield City Council funded an extra 15 Police Community Support Officers out on the beat to make our neighbourhoods safer. Sheffield has also become the first urban area in the country to roll out Community Justice Panels, which have been proven to reduce re-offending rates.

Bob added "We know that feeling safe in the community is one of local people's top priorities. Therefore, I'm delighted that all the extra work brought about by the local Liberal Democrats has paid dividends and local people are feeling safer. What's more it's great news that all these services are set to continue under our budget plans for next year."