In February 2006 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council launched the Together Forum. The Forum provided a platform to bring together non statutory agencies, voluntary and community organisations, ward, county and parish members and resident groups to contribute to tackling anti social behaviour across the borough.
Most people care deeply about the neighbourhood and community in which they live, and many play an active role in making their neighbourhood a better place to live. Now that we have come Together the next phase is establish a culture of Respect. Therefore the Together Forum has become the Respect Forum.
This was the second forum of 2007 that builds on the success of the Domestic Violence Forum held earlier this year. Every Respect Forum is based on a theme and the theme for the event that took place on 27 July 2007 was Preventing Arson.
Arson is the largest single cause of fire in the United Kingdom and can lead to loss of life, serious injury and financial hardship in our communities. The cost of arson fires in Hampshire is estimated to be over £100 million per year. In 2003 to 2004, 69% of all fires in Hampshire were arson and this reflects the national trend. The Government has set a target of a 10% reduction in arson by 2010.
This event was jointly hosted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. It provided an opportunity for all Community Safety partners to celebrate and promote some of our initiatives to prevent and tackle arson related antisocial behaviour. It also provided an opportunity to learn from other leading practioniers about the work they are engaged in. The Forum provided the partnership with a chance to explore new ideas on how to reduce the risk of arson in the borough and helped to extend our communication network.
