CRACKING CRIME TOGETHER
(4 December 2003)

The second annual Cracking Crime conference, on 4 December 2003, marked the official launch of the project. Organised by the London BME Cracking Crime Partnership Board, 250 representatives from organisations working within community safety fields and statutory agencies were invited to attend. Cracking Crime ll is unique in providing a London wide platform for local Black and Minority Ethnic community groups involved in crime reduction initiatives.

The aim is to identify and support appropriate activities to reduce the impact of crime on BME communities, which are often disproportionately affected, but whose views often go unheard. The overwhelming message was that BME communities play a significant and often unrecognised role in crime prevention and reduction through faith groups, community groups and concerned individuals. Key issues include:

• How to influence the response of government departments and statutory and non-statutory funding bodies on the issues affecting in relation to BME voluntary sector and grassroots crime prevention and reduction
• Improving local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships' representation and engagement with BME voluntary sector
• The need for a multi-agency, cross-sectoral approach to tackling crime
• The need to develop the capacity of non-statutory agencies
• The impact of crime on young people and young black men in particular
• The need for positive role models and to reinforce positive messages
• The role of education in crime prevention

The London BME Cracking Crime Partnership Board focuses on the roles of BME communities in preventing and reducing crime in London. It brings together key statutory and voluntary agencies including the GLA, Government office for London, Metropolitan Police Authority, Metropolitan Police Service, Association for London Government, TFL, LDA, London Probation Service, Victim support, Phoenix High School, Black Londoners Forum and The London Action Trust.

Further information can be founde on the Cracking Crime website www.bmecrackingcrime.org.uk

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