MEDIA RELEASE

Funding injection for crime prevention welcomed

For immediate release on 17 February 2006

Local Government New Zealand is delighted with the announcement by Local Government Minister, Hon Mark Burton, of a contestable fund of $250,000 for councils to strengthen crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).

“The National Crime Prevention through Environmental Design guidelines were launched in November last year to assist councils with reducing crime in public spaces. This fund is great news as now councils can apply for financial support to assist with completion of CPTED assessments and plans,” says Local Government New Zealand’s Social Well-being spokesperson, Mayor Jenny Brash.

“Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are required to promote the cultural and social well-being of their communities. Part of ensuring a sense of well-being means doing what we can to make people feel safe within their cities, towns and rural areas. Crime prevention through environmental design can involve simple things like trimming trees to increase visibility through to more comprehensive approaches such as re-designing town centres.

“Councils are the main caretakers of our open spaces and are in a position where they can help reduce opportunities for crime to occur. This funding will assist councils with the first steps towards making our communities safer places to live, work and play in.”

ENDS

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