Dorset receives nearly £1M of Home Office funding to make the county safer
A joint bid was put in by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council and Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner
Initiatives aimed at making Dorset’s streets safer will go ahead after a successful bid was made to the Home Office.
The county has been given nearly £964,055 to drive forward projects around the safety of women and girls as well as tackling crime in Dorset’s more rural communities.
‘Safer Streets’ will see the introduction of a Women’s Night Safety Charter which will actively promote women’s safety within the night-time economy.
Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, said: “This investment will support us in creating a safer night-time economy for all residents whilst also tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) which I appreciate is an issue of great concern.”
The funding will be felt across the whole county with 38 new CCTV camera’s being put up in hotspot areas such as Bournemouth’s Horseshoe Common and West Hill as well as Weymouth and Sherbourne.
Additionally, one thousand theft and burglary prevention packs will be given out to mark rural farm property.
Police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said: “The range of projects that will receive help is on a scale that we haven't seen before, from providing vulnerable victims of burglary with video doorbell systems to supporting the Pineapple Project in Weymouth with their Guardians project."
Nationally, the “safer streets” campaign has been a success with investment into street lighting and home security to cut neighbourhood crime.
Councillor Laura Beddow, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities for Dorset Council added: “Crime prevention and public safety will always be key priorities for our communities, and this funding will help deliver innovative projects to ensure Dorset remains a safe area to live and work.”