Brussels, 30/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 30 November, the Commission published a report on the activities of the European Crime Prevention Network (EUCPN), set up in 2001, following the decision of the Council. The network was further strengthened in 2009 and, according to a Commission press release, the latter “evaluates the efforts of the network to enhance safety and security for European citizens”. The report reviews the initiatives taken by member states to take knives off our streets, address cyber-bullying and foster early detection of addictions. According to the Commission, the EUCPN has been performing well over the last two and a half years but there is room for further improvements. For instance, the EUCPN should, “target its products (thematic papers, reports, studies etc) more at what people working with crime prevention need, e.g. by producing documentation on good practices for practitioners at a regional and local level”. The Commission report also recommends that the EUCPN build closer relationships with EUROSTAT (to introduce better statistical information at EU level), the European Police College, CEPOL (to reach practitioners at the local level), and the European Police Office, EUROPOL (to identify future challenges and priorities in fighting organized crime). In most EU countries, crime levels have been decreasing for about ten years. According to the press release, however, from 2006 to 2009, there was an increase in domestic burglary and drug trafficking. At the same time, recorded numbers of theft of motor vehicles, violent crime and robbery “fell substantially”. (SP/trans/fl)