Government funding to tackle neighbourhood crimes

The money, from the government’s Safer Streets Fund, will go towards measures proven to cut crime, including simple changes to the design of streets such as locked gates around alleyways, increased street-lighting, and the installation of CCTV.

Projects across the country have focused on setting up Neighbourhood Watch groups, increased Automated Numberplate Recognition Technology, and CCTV and introducing wardens to undertake community engagement and train members of the public in crime prevention.

Home secretary, Priti Patel, said: “I will not stand by while criminals inflict fear and misery on our communities, which is why I launched the Safer Streets Fund to improve security in areas blighted by crimes like burglary, robbery and theft.

“But it’s more than just environmental change – we need to prevent people from committing these offences in the first place as we build back safer. That is why the next round will rightly look at behaviour change, with a primary focus on women and girls who are disproportionately affected by crimes like harassment in public places.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council chair, Martin Hewitt, added: “Neighbourhood crimes such as burglary and theft have a detrimental effect on local communities, with people often scared to leave their homes. We know that better street lighting or CCTV can do a lot to prevent crime, which is why we welcome the latest round of the Safer Streets Funding to ensure projects can continue to have a positive impact on the communities that are hardest hit.

“We also know that changing attitudes is key in the long run, which is why police and local authorities are being encouraged to focus new bids on behaviour change and community engagement.”

The successful recipients for the second round of Safer Streets are: Bedfordshire PCC, Birmingham City Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Bristol City Council, Cambridge and Peterborough PCC, Cheshire PCC, Chesterfield Borough Council, Cleveland PCC, Cumbria PCC, Durham PCC, Dyfed Powys PCC, Essex PFCC, Exeter City Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Gwent PCC, Hampshire PCC, Hertsmere Borough Council, Humberside PCC, Ipswich Borough Council, Kent PCC, Leicestershire PCC, Lincolnshire PCC, Manchester City Council, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, Merseyside PCC, Newcastle City Council, North Wales PCC, North Yorkshire OFPCC, Northamptonshire PCC, Nottinghamshire PCC, South Wales PCC, South Yorkshire PCC, Staffordshire OPFCC, Surrey PCC, Thames Valley PCC, Wealden District Council, West Mercia PCC, West Yorkshire PCC, Wiltshire PCC, and Wolverhampton City Council.