A PARTNERSHIP set up to reduce crime in Hadleigh is to seek financial help to help publicise its efforts.The Babergh Crime and Disorder Partnership is hoping to work with local residents in Hadleigh to reduce criminal damage and arson in the town.

A PARTNERSHIP set up to reduce crime in Hadleigh is to seek financial help to help publicise its efforts.

The Babergh Crime and Disorder Partnership is hoping to work with local residents in Hadleigh to reduce criminal damage and arson in the town.

Members of the partnership include the police, the fire service, Babergh District and Hadleigh Town councils.

They will be focusing on abandoned vehicles, child management and working with the town's young people to deal with persistent problems of arson and damage to property in Hadleigh.

In a bid to reduce arson attacks that have plagued the town for some years residents will be asked to report to Babergh as soon as they suspect a vehicle has been abandoned in their neighbourhood.

Then Babergh council, which is seeking Government money for the initiative, will ensure any vehicle confirmed as abandoned will be removed within five working days.

Greater efforts will also be put into getting parents to keep in more regular contact with their teenage children, especially at night, and the town's Pubwatch scheme is being extended to other outlets that sell alcohol.

Tim Mutum, head of Babergh's community and leisure services said:

"We hope to harness that spirit by focusing on the actions ordinary people can take to help out."

Insp Lincoln Pratt, Hadleigh police sector commander said although Babergh was one of the districts least affected by crime in the country there were some issues that needed to be addressed.

He said: "The partnership is keen to work with the public in identifying practical ways whereby all of us can reduce incidences of criminal behaviour and increase its detection."