TACKLING crime in imaginative and far-sighted ways is becoming ever more important these days.

Crime is rarely out of the headlines and continues to be a major worry to most people - so any initiative that helps to reduce it deserves our continued support.

It is puzzling, therefore, to report that City of York Council is considering whether or not to continue funding the Safer York Partnership (SYP). We all know the council is strapped for cash, but this multi-agency partnership has surely been a great success story.

If the council were to withdraw the £190,000 it gives to SYP each year, which constitutes a vital part of its funding, then this valuable enterprise would almost certainly flounder. And that would be a great loss to the city.

As its name suggests, this crime-busting community partnership looks at ways in which to make York a safer place to live. It brings together different agencies, including the police, the council and local community groups, in an effort to think and act clearly on crime.

The measures it takes are often proactive rather passive. By looking beyond the immediate problem, it can discuss with local agencies the best ways in which to tackle issues such as local crime, antisocial behaviour, drug use, drinking on the streets and domestic violence.

SYP provides a valuable service to the city and should be backed to the hilt.

Updated: 12:08 Monday, November 22, 2004