ORGANISATIONS in Teignmouth have come together to tackle deprivation in the town. Figures show that there are three areas in the parish, including parts of east, west and central Teignmouth, which fall in the 25 per cent most deprived in the county. Figures are based on criteria that include income, employment opportunities, health and education. Statistics compiled by Devon County Council show that unemployment in areas of Teignmouth east and west is above the district and county averages. But the percentage of low-income households is lower than average. Healthcare findings show that the take-up of incapacity and severe disablement benefits is above average in three of the town's five wards. Pensioners occupy more than a third of households in the town and income support claimants aged over 60 are above the average in some wards in the town. Youth offending in the market town area was above the county average in 2002 and crime levels in 2003/04 in the town area were above average. But crime levels in the outskirts are significantly lower. The conference, held at the Tomorrow's Teignmouth' Information Centre last week, aimed to ensure local organisations were aware of the town's main issues. Representatives including those from the main authorities, Teign Housing and the police, discussed how the concerns of the community could be met by government target areas of support for the elderly, helping children and young people, promoting safer communities and developing the local economy. Regeneration Project chairman Bill Ridley said: 'It is a government push to target deprivation, but we must not give people that live in these areas the thought that they are deprived or are in some way second class citizens. 'It is just a case of identifying areas and groups of people, including the youth and the elderly, that need a helping hand.'
