Rutland's MP 'delighted' with new funding to make public spaces safer

Rutland's MP says it will make women and girls here feel safer

Author: Greg DeanPublished 11th Oct 2021

The MP for Rutland and Melton says funding to install new CCTV, improved lighting and maintenance in parks here will "make a real difference".

Rutland and Melton have been awarded £550,000.

This is part of the Government’s Safer Streets fund – with a further £23.5 million committed to make public spaces safer for all, and with a special emphasis on women and girls.

Alicia Kearns has been working with the new Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure that the policing and safety priorities of Rutland and Melton are taken into account – and this is just one of her priorities to make communities safer.

Since her election, Alicia has been working with Government Ministers, Councils, Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to secure more CCTV coverage, more 4x4 police cars, more police officers, more fly tipping cameras and to secure a greater emphasis on rural policing. She's also backing a new law on livestock worrying.

Commenting, Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton said:

"The safety of everyone in our communities is my first priority – so I’m delighted that the Home Office has awarded us these funds.

"It will make a real difference – enabling women and girls in particular to feel safer on our streets.

"I’ve been pressing to make our streets safer since I was elected, and lobbied our Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver more CCTV for our towns – and this is only the first step."

The funding will be used to:

• Install 31 new CCTV cameras

• To improve lighting in parks across the area

• For improvement works to increase visibility and reduce seclusion in parks through the cutting back of undergrowth and foliage

• For the launch of a new safety campaign to challenge misogynistic attitudes

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