Abbeyview is 'totally different' community
Matt Meade • Published 4 May 2012 08:35
3 Comments
AN ABBEYVIEW-BASED community worker said fighting and drinking on the estate's streets is now a thing of the past.
Once maligned as an abyss of anti-social behaviour, Mandy Donaldson said the area had been transformed dramatically in just one decade.
The senior community warden for Dunfermline said, "If you'd seen the place 10 years ago it was a hugely different area to what it is now.
"People used to drink on the streets and there was fighting - you just don't get that any more."
She spoke to the Press at the launch of the Dunfermline Policing Plan last week at Dunfermline Police Station.
As the Press reported recently, crime figures have fallen by half over the last seven years.
This achievement was reinforced at the launch by area Chief Inspector Bob Baker (pictured) who spoke of the "excellent" relationships the force has forged with the community.
Mandy added, "I first thought partnership-working was a bit of a cliché but it really does work.
"You get the back-up of all your partners as well and that's how you get problems sorted out.
"People don't do the things Abbeyview used to be known for. If they do they get short shrift."
Her comments were backed by Dunfermline South councillor Mike Rumney, who lives in Whitelaw Crescent in Abbeyview.
He said, "It's a totally different community.
"We can't afford to take any step back from this community engagement model because it works well.
"That's been the main drive towards the reduction in crime figures.
"In Dunfermline South in particular, I like to think community policing started there."
Dunfermline Chief Inspector Bob Baker said the results his force had achieved in the face of the "most challenging financial period in the force's history" had been "outstanding".
Meanwhile, Area Chief Inspector Angela McLaren said results of policing of South West Fife during the 2011/12 were also "outstanding".
She was speaking at the launch of the South West Fife area plan at Inverkeithing Civic Centre on Thursday and reported an 11 per cent increase in detections.
"Whilst I am very proud of the efforts of my staff, I cannot stress enough that these results are attributable to our communities and our partners who fully support and engage with us," she said.
Chief Inspector Baker will retire from his post on 10th November.
He said, "When I started in the police I remember my first arrest and I remember my first day on duty as if it was yesterday.
"As time goes on and you get away from the frontline policing and more into management. I engage with my young officers and enthusiasm exudes from them - they love doing that work.
"The community policing now is better than I have ever seen. We have really dedicated officers that go out and want to do a really good job.
"I live in Dunfermline and I see them walking the streets.
"I can't envisage a time when we wouldn't do business by engaging with the communities."
Councillor Joe Rosiejak paid tribute to Chief Inspector Baker and said, "I think the success has been down to Bob's method of management, he's frugal with his budget.
"Locally Bob and his team have done a fantastic job and I think he's handled the (budget) cuts well.
Councillor Mike Rumney said, "Bob's been a godsend to the Dunfermline area.
"I hope that whoever comes in when Bob Baker retires won't rest on their laurels but build even further on the success of the community engagement model."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 02 May 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
redrobin
285 posts
May 4, 08:54
Report comment -
DunfermlineEast
137 posts
May 4, 11:09
Report comment"People don't do the things Abbeyview used to be known for. If they do they get short shrift."
Is it not more due to the fact that they have demolished most of the homes and decanted the worst types to Rosyth and other sink estates? Remove the worst offenders and the area is bound to look better on paper, but all you do is move a problem and not solve it. Sounds more like self patting on the back rather than deserved applause. Crime rates have risen in parts of Rosyth...
Recommend?
Yes 31
No 2
-
stormxxx
132 posts
May 10, 02:20
Report commentOr it could be that more are on drugs now rather than alcohol..i believe drugs cost less an more or less make folks like zombies rather than violent thugs. And em..people will be whatever, wherever..Abbeyview i have to say cannot be blamed for individuals personal actions..not these days! There is no so called - Avtio - anymore..hasnt been since forever!!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 8
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
