Criminal Damage
Criminal damage refers to crimes where a person intentionally or
recklessly destroys or causes damage to another person's property.
Criminal damage, often referred to as vandalism, includes graffiti,
arson and other forms of damage to property, including
vehicles.
It accounts for just under a quarter of all British Crime Survey
(
BCS
) offences, and just
over a fifth of recorded crime. Criminal damage is frequently seen
as a minor crime, but neglected physical environments are unsafe,
cause fear and undermine pride in the local community. Criminal
damage can also be seen as a catalyst to other forms of anti-social
behaviour and crime.
Criminal Damage is the most prolific type of crime committed
within Cheshire, and accounts for 35% of total crime. According to
National Audit Office calculations for Cheshire, Halton and
Warrington in 2006 this equated to £19,407,060 pounds of public and
private finances being diverted to this single issue.
The Community Safety Team takes the role of Project Lead of
Criminal Damage.
Analysis of the criminal damage problem throughout the area has
already taken place and has highlighted three key areas of work:-
repeat offenders, repeat victims and hot spot areas.
The Council’s Project Leads have co-ordinated various activities
through a multi-agency approach, and some work activities have
already taken place, such as
- Environmental visual audits (to scan the area for any signs of
criminal damage),
- Linked in with the National Probation Service Community Payback
to tidy up areas and remove graffiti,
- Working closely with the Housing Associations to identify
vulnerable tenants and possible perpetrators of criminal
damage,
- Working with trading Standards to identify which off licenses
are selling alcohol to under age people.