Kit brings police and council together to tackle crime in Andover

Kit Malthouse MP has brought together police, council leaders and youth workers to agree further action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Andover after his initial summit before the summer. 

They discussed lessons learned and  practical steps to deter offending including reviewing the location and coverage of CCTV cameras, monitoring empty properties, and targeting well known problem areas including town centre car parks and alleyways. 

 Speaking after his latest summit, Kit said: 

"Anti-social behaviour can sound relatively minor until it’s happening outside your home, your business, or on the street you use every day. 

"We know there are particular spots around our town centre where crime and anti-social behaviour are causing concern, from shoplifting and vandalism to drug dealing, so I wanted to get everybody back round the table to see what we can do. 

"CCTV is an important part of that. There’s not much point in having a camera if it’s pointing in the wrong direction or doesn’t cover the place where trouble is happening. So the police are going to look carefully at what we have and where the gaps are. 

"We’re also going to keep a close eye on empty properties, which can become magnets for trouble if they sit neglected. 

"The bottom line is that people should be able to live, work, shop and go about their daily business in Andover without constantly being troubled by crime.  

"And while these preventative measures and visible policing will greatly help, we also need the justice system to do its job. When offenders are caught, there must be consequences that deter them from doing it again."

The meeting also discussed opportunities to secure funding through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund. 

It is the latest in a series of crime summits hosted by Kit and took place at the Guildhall in Andover.