Work begins on park’s new CCTV cameras to make women and girls feel safer
WORK is under way to install surveillance cameras at Queen’s Park, Loughborough, as part of a drive to improve the safety of women and girls.
Earlier this month, police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews joined Cllr Leigh HarperDavies, Charnwood Borough Council’s lead member for community support and equalities, on a visit to the park, which is benefitting from funding as part of the Safer Streets 3 project.
Under the scheme, Mr Matthews has received £550,000 to help improve the safety of women and girls across the county.
The cash will be spent on 18 parks to install new CCTV cameras, improve lighting and increase visibility.
Working with local authorities and Leicestershire Police,Mr Matthews made a successful bid for the funding in the third round of the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund, receiving the maximum available grant.
It follows Mr Matthew’s survey earlier this year which sought to capture how safe women and girls feel across the county.
“We have listened very carefully to local women to understand where they feel most vulnerable and at risk,” he said.
Site surveys of
Queen’s
Park have been completed by Charnwood Borough Council officers and a tender process has been initiated to appoint a contractor to deliver two new CCTV cameras within the grounds.
Installation work is set to begin mid-February and is due to be completed by the end of March. Mr Matthews said: “Women and girls have a right to feel safe everywhere.
“This funding will enable us to make immediate changes to improve personal safety and reduce the opportunity for crime and violence while giving women greater confidence to walk without fear.”