Nearly £400,000 has been issued to the Safer Streets project for Newark in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime. Following a successful bid to the Home Office by Nottinghamshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, a total of £374,500 will be awarded to the town across the next two years.
This funding will go towards lighting in the town to help deter crime, and will also be used to install three door entry systems on nearby apartments, additional CCTV around the town, make safer spaces and environmental improvements for visitors, and gate St Marks precinct to stop unauthorised individuals entering the car park and delivery area. Additionally, £20,000 of the funding will be used to tackle neighbourhood crime, specifically vehicle crime.
This will include faraday bags for car keys, also known as signal blocking pouches, to help prevent criminals from stealing cars through using the car key signal. As part of tackling vehicle crime, there are plans to buy specific screws for number plates which make them harder to be removed and placed on other vehicles and then used to commit crimes.
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Inspector Matt Ward explained that areas being well-lit makes a large difference when it comes to crime taking place, and that while some people do still dare to commit crimes despite CCTV being present, it also helps officers dealing with offences. When asked about the project, he said: "As a whole it ultimately is the uplifting of the environment and the fact that it can be tailored into where we have problems with particular crimes and issues.
"It's bound to have a positive effect. St Marks had an issue with young persons getting into the car park, that has already been significantly reduced now, and that's through the NCP themselves and limiting access to the car park."
This has been done through new gates at the St Marks precinct, which over the years has experienced a variety of issues with anti-social behaviour, including individuals displaying anti-social behaviour in the car park and delivery area for the businesses, as well as causing difficulties for local businesses.
Insp Ward added: "When people think about anti-social behaviour they always go to youths, which is quite a narrow view." He explained that there are many different forms of anti-social behaviour, including disturbances between neighbours and vehicle crime, in addition to the common associations of verbal abuse, fighting and vandalism.
At the moment officers are currently visiting primary schools in addition to secondary schools, to get to know students and help educate and prevent them from becoming involved with anti-social behaviour. Insp Ward added that a lot of people causing anti-social behaviour in the castle ward of Newark, which covers the town centre, are "coming from the other areas" of the town.
When asked about her thoughts on the funding for the project in Newark, Police Crime Commissioner, Caroline Henry, said: "I'm really pleased about it as this is building on the work we have already done. It means we can really increase feelings of safety for the people here."
She added "we have been listening" and wants people to know they will continue to listen to what people feel needs doing in the area. Similar projects are being undertaken across the county, with a total bid of £3million being secured for across the entire county.
Eleanor Smalley, Safer Streets project manager for Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, said: "We are lighting up a particular area of Newark which is the St Mary's garden, as that has been a large area for anti-social behaviour. It's really dark around the church as they have those great big trees that even in the day time block out the light.
"We are hoping to light up the paths and light up the side of the church which will then reflect back." She explained that there will also be a CCTV camera installed for the area.
Of the funds received, £125,000 will be spent on providing three door entry systems for nearby apartments at Tithe Barn Court and flats on Lovers Lane. The new systems will stop just anyone from entering the building, as visitors will have to ring the buzzer and residents will then be able to see on camera who is at the door, before deciding whether or not to let them in.
This is something that has been done as part of the safer streets project in another area of Nottinghamshire. Eleanor added: "It's had great results over there, so it makes sense to do it again."
The successful bid from the Police and Crime Commissioner will be matched with funding from Newark and Sherwood District Council. Keith Girling, deputy leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "Any additional funding to help improve people's perceptions of the town and the security of the town will be a good thing.
"A lot of good work has been done but this helps by putting a bit more focus on the trouble areas. I'm looking forward to seeing some results from it."
Through more deterrence being placed on specific types of crime in Newark and additional street lighting, it is hoped that the town's residents and visitors will feel more safe in the town. Head of Newark College, Penny Taylor, said: "Having the safer streets scheme allows us to have a safer environment for our pupils.
"We want them to feel safe as they come to and from college, as well as whilst they are on the premises." She described the project as "really valuable" for the community.
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