Braintree District Council, in partnership with the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner’s Office for Essex (PFCC), has successfully secured £297,202 of Safer Streets funding from the Home Office with an additional £150,506 match funded by various members of the Braintree District Community Safety Partnership to support the bid.
The Safer Streets programme focuses on key areas in Witham and aims to improve people’s perception of safety. The programme has a primary focus on reducing Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The Braintree District Community Safety Partnership is working on launching a number of proposed activities that will be delivered over the next year. Partners include Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner’s Office for Essex, Essex Police, Witham Town Council, Neighbourhood Watch, Fusion Lifestyle, CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), Eastlight Community Homes, Crimestoppers and Essex County Council.
The funding includes ASB and crime prevention police patrols and two part-time Street Wardens employed by Witham Town Council. This will provide a visible high-profile presence to help reduce the fear of crime and give the public greater reassurance of their safety. Witham Town Council’s CCTV network will also be extended to discourage crime and also provide robust evidence that can be used in investigations.
Fusion Lifestyle will be implementing an outreach sports programme for young people and offering free self-defence classes for women. CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) is providing one-to-one specialist sexual violence therapy sessions for women and girls from Witham.
Safer Streets funding has also been secured by other local authorities in Essex including Chelmsford City Council, Epping Forest District Council, Colchester Borough Council and Thurrock Council.
Cllr Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Whilst the district is relatively safe, nowhere is free of crime and women and girls in particular are struggling to feel safe walking alone or at night. We hope this funding and investment will help to create an environment where our residents feel safer.”
Witham residents are encouraged to visit the webpage https://www.braintree.gov.uk/community/safer-streets-programme to respond to the Safer Streets survey to share how safe they feel in the town and what they think the key issues are. Those who take part have the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher.
