App to launch this week as businesses get new radios

Part of the Safer Streets fund has gone towards creating a new Ashford Streetwise app which will launch tomorrow (Friday).

It has been designed to show users the places in town with the best safety provisions such as monitored CCTV, good street lighting, high footfall, ‘Safe Spaces’ and high presence of guardians.

A ‘Safe Space’ is a designated premises open to anyone in need of immediate help, whether that’s contacting a carer, friend, family member or the emergency services.

Anyone who needs help can enter any premises displaying the ‘Safe Space’ logo and ask for assistance without fear of embarrassment.

The app also offers safety features such as SOS alerts and information on the closest defibrillator and emergency trauma packs.

DI Simon Johnson of Kent Police said: “The Streetwise app and the Safe Spaces scheme will help keep people secure in the town centre and are the latest in a range of initiatives we are pursuing with our partners to tackle violence against women and girls and make our public spaces safer.

“The Streetwise app will give people living, working and visiting the town the best possible information to keep themselves safe, and the Safe Spaces scheme ensures that anyone who needs help can seek safety in a local business.

“These schemes come on top of other measures we have already been able to bring in, such as active bystander training, new radios for businesses, a smart tag initiative and improved CCTV.

“We will continue to work with partner agencies to identify and implement any measures which protect our communities and help keep Ashford safe.”

One of the mirrors in Park Mall shopping centre