Campaign to make streets safer for all users

THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is urging residents of the force area to take a few minutes to let police know where and why they feel unsafe.

The Home Office’s new StreetSafe tool is collecting data to anonymously flag places where people feel unsafe to the force and partners.

Commissioner Alison Hernandez said data gathered by the tool would prove extremely useful to identify areas where additional resources such as street lighting, high-visibility policing and CCTV might reassure people and deter criminals.

“The tragic cases of Sarah Everard and, locally, Lorraine Cox have thrust the issue of safety in public spaces to the front of the national agenda,” she said. “Everyone has the right to feel safe in public, wherever they are and whatever time of day they choose to go out. Sadly, too many people, both men and women, still feel unsafe and threatened.

“Information gathered through initiatives like the StreetSafe tool will help us make informed decisions to improve our public spaces and deliver better services.

“I am urging residents of Devon,

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to take a minute or so to tell us where they feel unsafe by visiting www.police.uk/ streetsafe.”

Areas may be reported due to environmental issues such as street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, like people being followed or verbally abused.

The interactive map will be available on the StreetSafe website for two more months while the pilot scheme takes place.

Police are urging residents to remember that the new pilot scheme is not intended as an alternative for reporting serious incidents but will allow people to raise concerns with the police, regardless of whether a crime has been committed.

The Home Office launched StreetSafe last month, when a round of Safer Streets funding was announced. The Police and Crime Commissioner coordinated successful funding bids for Exeter and Plymouth.

Anyone in immediate danger should call 999. Any non-emergency crimes can be reported online or via 101.