Have a crime-free Christmas

We all like to know that our families are safe and secure - especially at Christmas time.

And it's wonderful to see that so many communities around the city are already tapping into our £1 million per year Community Safety Fund.
The fund is being used to fight crime in many different ways, including putting up gates and fences to cut off access to private alleyways to burglars and vandals.
It will also help pay for extra street-lighting schemes, as well as safer car-parking facilities and security alarms. (You can read more about this in the January issue of Hull in print.)
In the meantime, on the subject of fighting crime, in this issue -on pages 12 and 13 - you can get tips about staying safe and crime-free over the Christmas period; plus you can read about a new scheme which is making Hull's bars and clubs safer.
It's also great news that an overwhelming majority of shops and businesses voted to make the city centre a Business Improvement District. Around £1.45 million will hopefully be available for crime-prevention schemes in the area over the next five years. (Read more about BID on pages 20-21.)
Finally, although Christmas, for many, is a time for celebration and enjoyment, we also need to be aware of the things that we can do to sustain and help the environment. The feature on recycling, on pages 15-17, gives some important information about protecting the environment .
On behalf of everyone at Hull City Council, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cllr Carl Minns
Leader, Hull City Council