Extra funding into tackling neighbourhood crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls has been welcomed by residents in parts of where a project is making a difference. Nottingham City Council and The Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured up to £314,639 in Safer Streets Funding for the Bestwood, Radford, Hyson Green and Arboretum wards of the city.
Of the funding up to £211,100 will be spent between October 2022 and March 2023 on CCTV related purposes across the four wards, which includes £157,100 on new CCTV installations, £30,00 on CCTV upgrades and £24,000 on two CCTV/999 points. As part of the Safer Streets project, a focus has been put on tackling antisocial behaviour and neighbourhood crime in Bestwood, as the neighbourhood is described as having high levels of public order and violence against the person offences.
The funding will also provide community and youth intervention projects in this ward, which includes provision and staffing of suitable premises. The projects will be run by the the council's Children’s Services and will focus on the younger generation, as well as the winder community and parenting to help discourage people from criminal and anti-social activity.
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Since the project began making changes in the area, residents in Bestwood say they are pleased action is being taken. Retired Janina Duffy, said: "I hadn't heard about the project but it is a good idea for the area, I'm glad they are doing it.
"I haven't experienced any anti-social behaviour in a while, but we have had some issues previously. We also had a break in a while ago at the back."
When asked for her thoughts about increased CCTV for Bestwood, she said: "Yes that's all lovely, that makes me feel safer." Rail worker, Peter Bush, 62, of Bestwood, said he has noticed some antisocial behaviour near the shops and school.
He said: "There's all sorts of people there, drunks and druggies, and sometimes their trousers are falling down. I think the increased CCTV will be good yeah."
Peter also described the plans for youth intervention projects as "good" and said "it will help keep them off the streets." He added: "We have a lot of problems with dog mess around here with people not picking it up, the pavements are all disgusting.
"I hope all this CCTV can help with that, as we've never seen anyone doing it so it would be good with cameras to catch that." Speaking of the project, a 58 year old resident who did not wish to be named said: "I've not experienced anything, but I do think it's a good idea as it mainly happens on the estate.
"I do think it's good for the area, although I've not experienced anything. Although we do get fast cars going along here as well and that's a problem."
She added: "I think the groups are a good idea for the younger ones but I don't think it will have an impact on the hardened ones that are going to go and do things like that anyway." Cleaner Jane Page, 55, said: "It's nice to know that someone is bothered about things."
Jane praised the scheme and explained: "I think it will help everyone." She also said the groups for young people will be a good idea as from her own experience she knows that kids "aren't just naughty" and sometimes need a club or social outlet to keep them on the right track.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “Safer Streets is all about making people feel safe in public spaces and their own homes by directing extra funding into tackling neighbourhood crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls. It is having a real impact on safety and feelings of safety in the areas where projects are being rolled out.
“Nottinghamshire Police and all the local authorities already do an incredible job working together to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour – so to be able to bring an extra £3m to fund additional projects such as CCTV, street lighting and automatic number plate recognition cameras is a massive boost.”
Councillor Neghat Khan, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion at the council, said: “We are delighted that the City Central Safer Streets bid has been successful.
“This additional funding will enable partnership delivery of a range of measures designed to tackle acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour, and improve the safety of women and girls in our city.
“It is targeted towards areas of the city which are disproportionately impacted by these issues, with Bestwood, Hyson Green and Arboretum, and Radford all benefitting from this particular round of funding.”
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