Claremont isn't a statistic, it has brilliant people so let's talk the community up rather than down
“That’s significant progress, and the facts speak for themselves. But there’s still more to do.”
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has called for greater context around crime figures for Claremont, pointing to the proportion of police investigations taking place in the town centre.
Mr Webb said: “I want to talk to you about crime in Claremont because residents deserve the full facts and the proper context. Let me be clear: Claremont has had its challenges with crime and antisocial behavior. I won't pretend otherwise, and there is still more work to do.
“But Claremont Ward also includes a significant part of Blackpool Town Center, and with our busiest nightlife areas, attracting millions of visitors every year. And Lancashire Police's own figures show why that matters. Of the top 50 locations for Blackpool Police investigations in Claremont this year, 30 are in the town center.
“There’s been 643 investigations across those top 50 locations so far, and 75% of them were in the town center part of the ward, not here in the residential community. For the whole year of last year, 35 of the top 50 locations were in the town center, accounting for 83% of investigations across those top 50 locations.”
He said the figures could be distorted when calculated against the ward's residential population because Claremont also encompasses a busy part of Blackpool's town centre.
Mr Webb added: “So when all those crimes are divided by Claremont's small residential population to produce a crime per 1,000 resident figure, you're not getting the full picture. And the latest year-to-date figures show real progress, building on last year's successes. Theft from a person down 26%, residential burglary down 46%, robbery down 54%, and antisocial behavior down 59%.”
He said further work was required and highlighted investment in neighbourhood policing.
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“That’s significant progress, and the facts speak for themselves. But there’s still more to do. We’re investing in neighbourhood policing, and I’ve delivered on my place to restore visible neighbourhood policing across Blackpool with dedicated neighbourhood policing teams and named, contactable police officers and PCSOs for local residents.”
Mr Webb also praised residents in Claremont and said he would continue working with the council and police.
“In Claremont, we see a proud community. We see residents who care deeply about their streets and their neighbours, and we see a community where, despite the challenges, real progress is being made.
“Claremont isn't a statistic, and it isn't a slogan. It has brilliant people who work with local residents, understand the challenges, and above all, talk this community up rather than down, and that's what I'll continue to do, working with the council and our police, tackling the problems that remain, and making Claremont an even safer place to live.”