The Neighbourhood Wardens Team administers a programme that funds a uniformed semi-official presence in residential and high crime areas with the aim of reducing crime and the fear of crime, improving the environment, quality of life and safety. Neighbourhood wardens work closely with residents, police and local authorities to tackle deprivation and anti-social behaviour at grass-roots level. They promote community safety and community engagement, assist with environmental or housing improvements and help with neighbourhood management, fostering social inclusion. Often they provide a reassuring presence in a community, and have a number of roles depending on local needs.

The Neighbourhood website provides plenty of information on wardening, including funding, awards and training visit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/nmwt/wardens.asp or telephone 08450 82 83 83. There is also an online resource for warden scheme managers and practitioners to share good practice, news stories and other items of interest at www.ecommunities.odpm.gov.uk

A National Strategy Action Plan devoted to Neighbourhood Renewal was launched by the Prime Minister on 15 January 2001. The Strategy sets out the Government's vision for narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country. At a national level, the Action Plan is implemented by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU) which is part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The NRU aims to attack the core problems of deprived areas, such as weak economies and poor schools, focus existing services and resources explicitly on deprived areas and give local residents and community groups a central role in turning their neighbourhoods around. On the website you can order factsheets or publications and learn about sources of funding such as the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

For more information visit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk or telephone the helpline 08450 828383

Community Support Officers do not have the same powers as a fullyfledged police officer, yet they are a visible patrolling presence and an effective crime deterrent, especially with regard to anti-social behaviour. As well as being able to issue fixed penalty tickets for minor anti-social behaviour, CSOs can demand the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner. Other CSO powers include being able to confiscate alcohol being consumed in a public place, confiscate tobacco from young people and seize any vehicles that are being used to potentially harm other people.

For more information visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/communitysafety/#4   or visit the online information resource for crime reduction at www.crimereduction.gov.uk or telephone 01347 825058

Crime is tackled in every local area by Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) – a combination of police, local authorities and other organisations and businesses who have come together to develop and implement strategies for tackling crime and disorder at the local level. There are 376 CDRPs to cover nearly every local authority area in England and Wales. Each one produces an audit and strategy for its local area.

For further information visit www.crimereduction.gov.uk  to get ideas for local crime reduction initiatives or to view crime statistics or telephone 01347 825058

Launched by the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit of the Home Office, the TOGETHER campaign aims to get tough on anti-social behaviour. An ActionLine is available every weekday on 0870 220 2000, to provide information, and to discuss solutions and best practice to help practitioners tackle anti-social behaviour throughout England and Wales.

For further information visit www.together.gov.uk