The wall of a school set on fire on the Whitehawk estate
Comedian Stephen Grant visits Brighton’s Whitehawk Estate, one of
the South's most deprived estates for a special BBC South election
programme.
The Government is pouring millions of pounds into the estate as part
of its campaign to revive inner city areas. But many residents’ lives
are still blighted by ill-health, poor education and crime.
 |
| Joanne
Stevenson - has had 8 cars targetted by vandals |
Joanne Stevenson
explains how she has been repeatedly targetted by vandals on the estate.
She says that something nasty happens every day.
On the day the BBC South film crew turned up at her house somebody
set fire to the adjoining school.
Police numbers in Sussex have fallen by 250 since the last election,
but the Government's New Deal initiative has paid for extra policing
on Whitehawk.
 |
| Sgt Tony
Lumb |
Sgt Tony Lumb leads
a team of three community officers who spend all their time patrolling
the estate. He says that getting to know local residents is already
paying dividends, as crime has dropped by 11% in the past year.
"New Deal is starting to have an effect," he says. "There is less
rubbish on the estate and less abandoned vehicles. I think visually
that is really important. If it looks tatty it brings people down,
because it looks like crime is rife."
New Deal is also providing money for anti-crime initiatives like the
Responsible Drivers Project, which teaches young offenders about cars.
 |
| Electoral
interviews outside Max Vaughan's house |
But not everybody
on the estate is in favour of such schemes. Max Vaughan has been burgled
three times and he doesn't think that public money should be spent
on criminals. "They are teaching youngsters to drive and become car
mechanics at 14 and 15. The majority of them are out of work and they
buy any old £100 banger and race around the estate."
Tony Blair visited the estate four years ago and told residents that
his Government would do what it could to improve life for local people.
Vote 2001 South looks at whether this has happened and talks to the
local election candidates about their hopes and plans for the estate.
|
'Vote
2001 South - The Estate we're in'
Tuesday 29th May - 7.30 pm on BBC Two
|
You can have your say on urban issues and how we improve life
on housing estates and inner cities in a Vote 2001 special debate
on BBC Local Radio at 8pm on Tuesday 29th May.
Tristan Pascoe will be joined by John Routledge, (Chief Executive
of Urban Forum). David Howe who runs the (Responsible Drivers
Project) and John Mitchell (Community Safety Project)
Join in the debate by e-mailing your comments below. |
As part of this
service you should be aware that the comments you make or questions
you ask, and their answers, may be used on BBC programmes and websites.
Absolutely NONE of your personal details will be used for
any other purpose, or disclosed to anyone else.
|
