CRIME prevention Minister Jeremy Browne MP has praised the work carried out by Newquay Safe, stating it is an "exemplar to the rest of the country".
The group was formed back in 2009 in collaboration with Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council, the NHS and several other agencies in response to the deaths of Andrew Curwell and Paddy Higgins in separate cliff fall deaths.
It is believed the two teenagers had fallen to their deaths from cliff tops after consuming alcohol in the resort and calls were made to make Newquay a safer place for young people to visit.
Mr Browne, Lib Dem MP for Taunton Deane, visited Newquay last week where he was accompanied by the town's MP Stephen Gilbert.
He met with members of the Newquay Safe group to hear about the work that has helped to see a reduction in criminal damage, violence and antisocial behaviour.
Mr Browne said "It was a great pleasure and real encouragement to see and hear about the work that has happened in Newquay.
"Antisocial behaviour is a real problem in towns and cities across our country and the work that has happened in Newquay has pioneered a new approach in tackling the problems and shows that real results can be achieved when communities and authorities work together.
"It's an exemplar for the rest of the country."
Figures have shown that since 2009 criminal damage in Newquay is down by almost a quarter, that violence is down a third and that the amount of antisocial behaviour is also down, Mr Gilbert said. "In 2009 Newquay was in a bad place, there had been two tragic deaths and residents were under siege from antisocial behaviour that stemmed from the excess of the night time economy," he added.
"In 2009 I was clear that enough was enough and, working with local residents groups, we fought a determined campaign to get the local authorities to take action. Since then the Newquay Safe partnership has provided excellent leadership in tackling the worst of Newquay's problems and has seen real results."
He continued: "The partnership, bringing together local councils, police, fire and health authorities, as well as the many volunteers who help keep people safe in Newquay has had real results although there is still a way to go."
Mr Browne also met with residents groups and local authorities and heard of the good work of the street pastors, the Coast Safe project and Street Safe scheme.
