Thames Valley & Hampshire receive funding for crime initiatives
It is to deal with things like burglary, vehicle theft and robbery
Last updated 3rd Jun 2021
Thames Valley and Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioners will receive goverment funding to crack down on neighbourhood crime.
The funding is part of a national initiative worth £18m, with 40 areas across England and Wales successfully applying for the cash, to help make streets safer.
It will be used to deal with crimes like burglary, vehicle theft and robbery, using measures such as more street lighting and CCTV, as well as changes to the design of streets such as locked gates around alleyways.
Hampshire's PCC will get £600,030 - while Thames Valley's PCC will get £401,950.
The money comes from the Government's Safer Streets Fund and follows a bidding process by police and local authorities.
The next round of the Safer Streets Fund opens today, providing another opportunity to bid from a fund of £25m for the year 2021/22.
This next round of funding is primarily focused on helping make women and girls feel safer on the streets.
It will encourage police and local authorities to secure innovative bids for plans to do this, as well as projects which could include an emphasis on changing attitudes and behaviours in local communities.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
"I will not stand by while criminals inflict fear and misery on our communities, which is why I launched the Safer Streets Fund to improve security in areas blighted by crimes like burglary, robbery and theft.
"But it's more than just environmental change - we need to prevent people from committing these offences in the first place..."
"That is why the next round will rightly look at behaviour change, with a primary focus on women and girls who are disproportionately affected by crimes like harassment in public places."
National Police Chiefs' Council Chair, Martin Hewitt said:
"Neighbourhood crimes such as burglary and theft have a detrimental effect on local communities, with people often scared to leave their homes.
"We know that better street lighting or CCTV can do a lot to prevent crime, which is why we welcome the latest round of the Safer Streets Funding to ensure projects can continue to have a positive impact on the communities that are hardest hit.
"We also know that changing attitudes is key in the long run, which is why police and local authorities are being encouraged to focus new bids on behaviour change and community engagement."