ADDITIONAL funding has been secured to tackle neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls across West Mercia.
As part of the fourth round of the Government’s Safer Streets scheme, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, in partnership with the West Mercia force, submitted four bids based on local needs.
The grants awarded have also been match-funded, which means the total amount going into the various projects totals £3.76million.
This includes an investment of nearly £400,000 in a West Mercia-wide project to improve safety for women and girls.
The cash will be invested to increase the number of StreetWatch schemes, provide a digital platform for volunteers to support victims, run education programmes for partners working in the night time economy and schools and colleges, focusing on healthy relationships and raising awareness in communities.
The other bids will cover targeted projects in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin.
Mr Campion said: “This substantial announcement will make a massive difference in our communities, helping people to be safe and feel safe.
“I am proud to support it with my own investments, as part of my ongoing work to make communities safer.
“This will allow a multi-faceted approach which tackles the issue at the root, changing behaviours whilst also putting structured support in for victims.”
West Mercia Police’s Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “We are really pleased that this additional funding has been secured.
“The crime prevention measures we’re able to implement as a result of this investment will help us to make real tangible changes to the communities we serve – they will help protect people from harm by preventing crime and help make our villages, towns and cities be and feel safer.”
