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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.
From May 2006, Cheshire County Councils’ Community Safety Team has taken the role of Project Lead of Criminal Damage on behalf of the 6 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
Analysis of the criminal damage problem throughout the Cheshire Area has already taken place and has highlighted three key areas of work:- repeat offenders, repeat victims and hot spot areas. The County 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.
For further information on the criminal damage project, please read our business case and project action plan.
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