Millions of pounds in funding is being directed at anti-social behaviour hotspots across Greater Manchester. Three boroughs will benefit from the £2.4 million of cash, called the ‘Safer Streets Fund’.
Manchester, Stockport, and Wigan are the three areas of the city-region which will see the injection of cash. It’s hoped the money will allow for the creation of safe spaces, community wardens, speeding measures, and CCTV.
The specific areas of the city to get the boost are the Fallowfield Loop in Manchester, Stockport’s Brinnington, and Platt Bridge, Woodcock Drive, and Scholes in Wigan. Council bosses in the benefitting areas say tackling yobs is a ‘key priority’.
Of the £2.4 million, some £453,080 will go to the Fallowfield Loop to introduce a community warden, set-up a safe space, install new fencing and lights, give cycling training to local schools, and clear the site to improve safety.
"Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the Council,” deputy council leader Luthfur Rahman, said. “Everyone should be able to live in peace and without the fear of intimidation or violence. That is why with our partners, we have made this successful bid for additional resources to tackle issues in Fallowfield.
"Collective action is the best way for us to transform communities and make them safe, prosperous and happy. I look forward to implementing new measures which can help us fulfil our goals."
A similar sum — £436,810 — is being invested in another suburb in the southern part of the city region. The Brinnington scheme, in Stockport, will see detached youth workers delivering mentoring to young people involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality. That will fall alongside investment in community, sport, and other diversionary activities, and specialist support for vulnerable victims of anti-social behaviour.
The area is one where residents are known to complain about anti-social behaviour — and tackling the scourge is a priority for the council, said Coun Helen Foster-Grime. The cabinet member for communities and housing at Stockport Council said: “Brinnington is aimed at improving the quality of life for people in our communities.
“Safeguarding our residents is a key priority for the council and this grant and the activities planned with it, will help make residents feel as safe as possible in their own neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.”
The largest sum of cash is going to Greater Manchester’s second-most populous borough, Wigan. The £745,518 will be spent in Platt Bridge, Woodcock Drive, and Scholes.
Activity will include investment in CCTV, working with local businesses to help people into employment and expansion of the Safety of Woman at Night initiative by working with schools to deliver sessions on healthy relationships and public safety. Community groups will also be invited to apply for pots of funding to deliver local projects.
Kevin Anderson, who heads up the council’s police, crime and civil contingencies department, said the money will bring about ‘real change’. He continued: “We are absolutely committed to tackling anti-social behaviour across our borough. To secure this funding is huge step and it will enable us to bring about real and visible change for residents.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution made by the Place and Community Safety Partnership and local councillors. We want residents to see that we are taking their concerns extremely seriously and are committed to working with them to ensure they feel safe and secure in the place they live.”
British Transport Police, working with the Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership, has also been awarded £275,000 to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, with a further £490,448 awarded to GreaterSport working with Trafford Council on Active Travel and Active Lives for Women and Girls.
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