£2m bid to help people feel safer on the street
Making people feel safer in public spaces and the transport network is the aim of a £2m cash injection by Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.
Ms McGuinness says her successful bid for more Government cash will mean “more police patrols, more interventions and more education” and described the investment as a “win for public safety in the North East.”
She says her aim – along with the local councils and Northumbria Police – is to make public places across the force area feel safer for everyone, particularly for women and girls.
The cash-injection – from theHomeOffice’sSaferStreets Fund – will pay for enhanced police operations that identify and crackdown on potential offenders, street volunteer, wardens and youth engagement projects, along with ‘behaviour change’ programmes aimedatyoungmenwhoshow inappropriate behaviours and attitudes towards women.
The money will also see more from the area’s Fun withoutFearcampaign–whichpromotes safer nights for women – and the Safer Transport Northumbria reporting app will also be developed further.
Ms McGuinness said: “We have to accept people don’t always feel safe in some public spaces.
“Thesearenormalthoughts which race through women’s minds. So, let’s make that underpass brighter, educate that bunch of guys.”
She added: “There is no simple fix so our plans are about using every tool we can to keep people safe and drive anti-social behaviour down. We’vealreadymadeastartwith a lot of this and I’m excited to build on it.
Chief Operating Officer at Metro operator Nexus, Martin Kearney, said: “We have worked in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner on the Safer Streets bid, and we’re delighted that more funding has now been secured to boost safety and security on the public transport network.
“It is vital customers feel safe on public transport at all times and we look forward to workingwithKimMcGuinness and our police force on taking the scheme forward.
“Nexus has invested in new CCTV and body worn cameras,haveincreasedthevisibility of customer support staff and put in place a dedicated security team to provide an extra presence in the evenings. The Safer Streets funding will really help us to build on all of this this work.”