Police patrols take place to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour in Truro

Patrols are taking place around Truro to help prevent crimes like antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.

The 'Safer Streets' programme involves a range of initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violence against women and girls (VAWG) in and around Truro - to boost feelings of safety.

Part-funded by £664,802 from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund and running until autumn 2023, the programme brings together a number of partners who are together rolling out a series of improvements across the city.

Stephen Lennon, ASB caseworker for Truro sector, who attends some of the patrols said: "I will take care any cases or complaints of antisocial behaviour. We'll do diversions to those agencies to give them advice and solutions.

"Every member of the public wants to see police officers on the beat. They like that reassurance, they want to see officers around, it makes them feel safer.

"It's just extra hands and bodies on the street, we deal with the complex individuals and we get a better understanding to prevent crime."

To help prevent and detect crime, reassure residents and reduce the fear of crime, Safer Streets is providing specialist intervention for individuals behind ASB and providing targeted diversionary activities and opportunities for young people.

This is in addition to improvements in CCTV, streetlighting and police patrols.

Community safety officer Helen Toms said: "The Safer Streets fund itself has a number of different projects. I think it's invaluable, the public want to see and be reassured by a uniformed presence.

"Although the funding has lasted over an 18 month period, I hope these patrols will leave a lasting legacy for the city and having those abilities to be dynamic in response to whatever is happening in the city - to encourage safer streets.

"People like to see the officers on the beat and this has allowed to do that."

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