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HOWARD WINS NEW FUNDING TO FIGHT LOCAL CRIME

Michael Howard has helped secure new Home Office funding to fight crime in Shepway.

Finance for the Action Against Business Crime (AABC) initiative was due to end in August, but o­n Tuesday (3 October) Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker MP wrote to Mr Howard to tell him that, following his intervention, AABC would receive a further grant.

AABC is active in the Folkestone and Hythe area through the Folkestone Area Partnership Against Crime. The partnership has led the way, particularly in preventing and detecting crime related to licensed premises. Folkestone was the first town to be awarded the Safer Socialising Award.

Michael Howard said: ‘These partnerships do a tremendous job in preventing and detecting crime, both locally and across the country. I know that the Folkestone Area Partnership Against Crime has led the way in working with licensed premises to tackle crime.

‘This means that the new funding will allow the partnerships to continue doing their work for the time being. I notice, however, that the Government intends to shift funding solely to local initiatives. I hope that with the right support these partnerships will be able successfully to apply when this happens.’