Reducing crime and improving health in NW Kilmarnock using community assets

"It’s not about what we don’t have, it’s about maximising the things and the people we do have.”

Introduction

The areas of Onthank and Knockinlaw in North West Kilmarnock are home to 3,500 people with a fairly even distribution of ages. Due to higher than average rates of crime and violence, this location was nominated by the local police commander as a Public Reassurance area, which indicated the need for increased targeting and co-ordination of public service resources to enhance community safety. The same area also features in the top 5% most deprived areas in Scotland – in fact, out of 6,500 data-zones it features within the top 150 most deprived. However, local people and organisations in this area also had a lot to offer when Hazel Stutely asked them, “what can you do to help others?”   

Read how the use of an assets-based approach can not only reduce violence and crime but also increase health and wellbeing outcomes. 

Tony Bone wrote this case study for Governance International on 12 November 2012.