Braintree District Council, in partnership with the Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex, has successfully secured £300,223 of funding under the Government’s Safer Streets Fund round five for investment in specified areas of Halstead. Previously Braintree District Council secured funding for Safer Streets Fund round four and delivered a programme of activities in key areas of Witham.
For Safer Streets in Halstead, a total of £150,171 has been matchfunded by partners which include Halstead Town Council, Essex Police, Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse (CARA), Fusion Lifestyle, Neighbourhood Watch, Essex Youth Service (Essex County Council) and Eastlight Community Homes. This Safer Streets funding will enable the implementation of an approved delivery plan which has a focus on reducing anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood crime and violence against women and girls.
The Braintree District Community Safety Partnership is working on delivering a number of activities over the next eighteen months. These activities include the installation of additional CCTV cameras by Halstead Town Council at car parks in order to discourage crime and provide robust evidence that can be used in investigations.
The funding includes anti-social behaviour and crime prevention police patrols and a Street Warden employed by Halstead Town Council. This will provide a visible high-profile presence to give the public greater reassurance of their safety and help reduce the fear of crime.
The Essex Youth Service will deliver an enhanced education programme that will focus on re-engaging young people in Halstead with education. Fusion Lifestyle will also engage with young people by offering free diversionary activities as part of their outreach sports programme. CARA will provide one-to-one specialist sexual violence therapy sessions for women and girls from Halstead. The coverage of Neighbourhood Watch will be expanded in the bid area and beyond to the wider community of Halstead.
Cllr Mary Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “It is fantastic that we have managed to secure Safer Streets funding for another area of the district. We’re really keen to hear feedback from our residents about how safe they feel in their community and what we can do to make them feel safer.”
Safer Streets round five funding has also been secured by two other local authorities in Essex which include Basildon Borough Council and Colchester City Council.
Halstead residents are encouraged to respond to the online Safer Streets survey to share their views on feelings of crime and safety and what they think the key issues are in the area. Those who take part have the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher.
