Seal of approval for Safer Streets project

A public safety programme set up by South Kesteven District Council has been given the seal of approval by the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire.

Sara Munton visited Grantham to see the Council’s Safer Streets Project in action.

She watched self-defence classes at Grantham West Academy; was shown how the town’s Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes work; and visited the District’s CCTV unit.

Sara was joined by SKDC’s Cabinet Member for People and Communities, Cllr Rhea Rayside, and Safer Streets Co-ordinator Peter Harrison.

The project was made possible thanks to Home Office Safer Streets funding secured by Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones. SKDC successfully bid for £172,000 to implement a series of initiatives, with a further £93,000 contribution from the Council.

Sara said: “The PCC’s office is delighted to be able to secure funding to help keep the people and streets of Grantham safe for residents.

“The projects being completed by the council are a great example of innovation and how, when you work in partnership, you can provide much more effective services for communities.

“I was impressed with the commitment and determination of everyone involved and hearing about the real difference the projects are making in the area.”

The project is supporting:

• Free self-defence classes, provided by EWF Martial Arts instructors, for secondary schools in Grantham
• Upgraded communications for Pubwatch and Shopwatch schemes that allows members to report concerns to CCTV operators and other pubs and shops
• Upgrade of CCTV coverage across the District

In addition, training will be provided for pub staff on the Ask for Angela initiative, where people feeling threatened in a public setting can seek help from bar staff or door staff; protection against drink spiking with Drink Safe Covers; and anti-spiking bottle stoppers and test kits have been made available.

• Retro bar: Premises licence holder Lee Doherty; SKDC Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead Beth Goodman; SKDC CCTV Operations Supervisor Kevin Taylor; DPCC for Lincolnshire Sara Munton; SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Communities Cllr Rhea Rayside; PC Jen Senette-Crofts; SKDC Safer Streets Co-ordinator Peter Harrison.

As a visible deterrent, more night-time and weekend patrols of anti-social behaviour hotspots have been carried out by SKDC’s neighbourhoods and licensing officers.

District-wide work includes gathering intelligence to disrupt county lines, child exploitation and violence against women and girls, all closely linked to the night-time economy.

Cllr Rayside said: “These initiatives have been designed to help make the area feel safer for those who are out and about.

“Overall, our District is a warm and welcoming place but it is not immune to the impact of anti-social behaviour and other crime and this initiative is an important part of ongoing efforts to reduce this.”

Peter Harrison said: “We have worked with local venues, the police, the PCC’s office and public, businesses, charities and volunteer groups, as well as statutory agencies across South Kesteven to make a difference to how safe people feel.

“The Safer Streets Project is a great example of successful partnership working and is a key contributor to SKDC’s commitment to make the District a better place to live, work in and visit.”

Ian Parke, Head of Security for the Isaac Newton Centre, part of the Shopwatch scheme, said: “Thanks to the new radios we now have much better communications with the CCTV centre, while many more shops have joined so we have greater communication with shops throughout the town and surrounding area as well.”

The Safer Streets project provides self-defence classes for pupils at West Grantham C of E Secondary Academy.

Pictured in the school gym are PE teacher Dom Brown; SKDC Safer Streets Co-ordinator Peter Harrison; DPCC for Lincolnshire Sara Munton; Senior martial artist at EWF Martial Arts Grantham Jo Copeland; SKDC Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead Beth Goodman.