Safer Streets Fund provides Greater Manchester with more than £800k to tackle anti-social behaviour

GREATER Manchester has secured more than £800,000 from the Home Office to help tackle anti-social behaviour and stop crimes such as robbery in two areas of the city-region.

The Safer Streets Fund aims to stop offences that blight communities and cause misery to victims from happening in the first place.

Following a bidding process back in January two Greater Manchester boroughs, Manchester and Wigan, had funding approved which totals more than £883,000 and will include a range of safety measures to support the communities

Wigan’s bid was for funding in West Leigh and the Manchester bid covers parts of South Manchester.

Plans will be made to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve safety for residents particularly affected by acquisitive crimes including burglary, vehicle theft and robbery.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said: “I welcome the news that these areas have received more than £800,000 from the Safer Streets Fund. This funding will enhance our efforts to effectively deliver crime reduction activities, working with local people to strengthen communities and keep them safe.

“This money will be used to support measures proven to cut crime rates and make Greater Manchester a safer place to live and work.”

Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for police, crime and civil contingencies at Wigan Council, said: “For some time now it has been a top priority for all partners to tackle anti-social behaviour in specific areas of Leigh. To secure this funding is fantastic and will enable us to bring about real change in the way we work for residents in the area and allow us to implement practical measures to make the streets safer.

“The work of the Place and Community Safety Partnership and of local councillors has been vital to securing this funding. I hope residents feel reassured we are taking their concerns extremely seriously and are committed to making a long-term impact. We knew these issues wouldn’t be solved overnight but it is still high on our agenda to improve the quality of life for this community.”

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We are of course glad to see any additional funding that comes Manchester’s way to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The next step will now be working with our partners to ensure we are able to put in place measures that will make a significant and lasting change for our residents.”

The Safer Streets Fund forms part of the Government’s concerted action to tackle crime.

Article Published: 03/08/2020 10:12 AM