Initiatives to make streets safer in West Mercia receive landmark funding

PCC John Campion has secured £1 million as part of the Government's Safer Streets initiative and boosted the pot to £1.5 million, through match-funding, to make West Mercia’s communities safer.

As part of the fifth round of the Government’s Safer Streets initiative, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, in partnership with West Mercia Police, is funding fourteen initiatives focused on reducing three of the public’s key priorities, overseen by a project manager.

To tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), £556,164 will be spent on a first-of-a-kind peer-led ‘Healthy Masculinity’ programme as well as bespoke training for police officers to identify predatory behaviour when on patrol, and additional street lighting in Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

Focused on combatting anti-social behaviour, £450,712 of funding will see the launch of OurSide Evesham to deliver targeted work with teenagers, the installation of new CCTV cameras in Telford and Oswestry, and engagement activities in Leominster, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Evesham.

More than half a million pounds (£592,525) will be used to introduce measures to prevent neighbourhood crime. The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Worcestershire will be extended to cover more locations, as well as a further rollout of SmartWater to deter burglary in both north and south Worcestershire.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I know this extra funding from the Government, which I have match-funded by more than £600,000, will make a real difference to communities across the three counties.

“I am focused on ensuring you are safe and feel safe, therefore this money will help combat issues of anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime in hotspots across West Mercia as well as tackling the societal issue of violence against women and girls.

“As PCC, I will ensure this investment alongside the resources I have made available to West Mercia Police, delivers more for communities.”

Deputy Chief Constable Richard Cooper said: “The safer street funding means we can continue to deliver innovative initiatives right across our three counties in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire to help make a real difference in local neighbourhoods.

“We know violence against women and girls, anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime have a real impact on local communities, and we welcome the additional funding.”

For information on all the projects being funded through Safer Streets 5, visit – www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/saferstreets5