Community groups across Northern Ireland are set to receive £7.5 million in funding over the next three years as part of a drive to reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour.

At the launch of the Community Safety Strategy today, NIO Minister Des Browne said the initiative would provide a "major boost" to fighting crime at a community level.

The Minister said that the new Community Safety partnerships were "a key element" in the government's focus on tackling crime and the fear of crime.

"The new partnerships bring together a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community groups in each district council area to address local needs. They are an important step towards making our communities safer places," he said.

"I am pleased to say that all 26 District Councils are engaged in the development of Community Safety Partnerships and all of the partnerships will be fully established in the coming year."

Des Browne also said that 30 schemes have already been earmarked to receive £1.5 million over the next three years.

The nine key issues identified in the strategy are:

• car crime
• domestic burglary
• business and retail crime
• offences against individuals, particularly domestic violence and sexual assault
• youth offending and reducing criminality
• offences motivated by prejudice and hatred
• drug, substance and alcohol abuse
• anti-social behaviour and low level neighbour disorder
• fear of crime amongst older people, vulnerable adults, victims and children

The Minister added: "These schemes, which range from a small scheme to promote safety awareness with older people in Fermanagh to a major initiative to extend the use of radio-links in town centres, are the first fruits of this important strategic initiative."

The Minister also stressed the strategy would foster" neighbourhood renewal, health and wellbeing, social inclusion and community development" as well as assisting the District Policing Partnerships.

The government issued a draft community safety strategy in April 2002 for consultation. Almost 3,000 copies of the consultation paper were issued to statutory, voluntary and community organisations and around 60 written responses were received.

(GMcG)