Safer Streets programme produces measurable ‘legacy’ to benefit city

A15-MONTH project to tackle antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls in and around Truro is now inspiring other areas to follow its approach.

Safer Streets 4 launched in the summer of 2022 backed by a £1 million fund which was part financed by the Government’s Safer Streets Fund.

The programme brought together more than 20 organisations and council teams across Truro to boost the work already being done and to pool forces for maximum impact.

The difference the programme has made can be seen on the streets – from the extra deployment of antisocial behaviour policing patrols to new CCTV and radio equipment – but most crucially, it has initiated a step change in the culture of the city.

Thanks to a training drive, Truro has built a community of active bystanders; people with the skills to challenge unacceptable behaviours.

The city’s youngsters have also been given extra support to help them feel part of the community and to facilitate a holistic, preventive approach to antisocial behaviour.

This includes an extensive programme of group and one-to-one sessions in partnership with Young People Cornwall, as well as ongoing diversionary activities with everything from zorbing equipment to an outdoor projector funded through Safer Streets 4.

More than 7,000 young people have also been reached in a peer-topeer partnership with Truro and Penwith College and Falmouth University to improve awareness of what makes, and doesn’t make, a healthy relationship among students.

The programme has been embedded in the curriculum running throughout the 2023 academic year and is proving so successful, a Creative Commons licensing approach has been adopted for the learning resources to enable them to be used by other towns and cities.

Truro is also leading the way in the creation of safer spaces. With the support of Safer Streets 4, a pioneering partnership has been developed

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Following success in Truro, and before that Falmouth, Cornwall has attracted further funding from the Home Office for the next round of Safer Streets projects

with New Look in Truro offering a high-profile safe space for women and girls – an initiative that has the potential to expand nationwide.

Cherilyn Mackrory, Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “Unfortunately antisocial behaviours and violence against women and girls is an issue that many towns and cities across the UK face. Through Safer Streets 4, the community, businesses and partners have united to tackle it head-on – making a difference today but also longterm by educating and preventing negative behaviour in the future.

“Of course, this is just the start, and I shall continue to be by Truro’s side to ensure it is a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”

Helen Toms, Cornwall Council community safety officer and Safer Streets 4 programme lead, added: “In 15 months huge progress has been made and although the project has formally wrapped, the brilliant work of all the partners involved will very much continue.

“The programme has been designed to create a legacy in the city which will benefit communities for years to come.

“Following success in Truro, and before that Falmouth, Cornwall has attracted further funding from the Home Office for the next round of Safer Streets projects.

“This will enable the continuation and ongoing development of some of the Safer Streets 4 initiatives including tackling violence against women and girls and healthy relationship awareness, alongside new investment in street lighting, CCTV, mobile police engagement and public guardianship in Camborne and Redruth.”