New CCTV cameras and improved lighting to make Rutland public spaces safer for women and girls
Funding worth £550,000 has been secured from the Safer Streets Fund
A cash boost worth £550,000 has been secured to make public spaces in Rutland safer for women and girls.
The funding is from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, and was secured by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews.
It 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.
Mr Matthews said:
"Women and girls have a right to feel safe everywhere – at home, online and in our public spaces.
"This funding will enable us to make immediate changes to improve personal safety and reduce the opportunity for crime and violence while giving women greater confidence to walk without fear.
"We have listened very carefully to local women to understand where they feel most vulnerable and at risk.
"For this reason, this project will deliver extensive CCTV provision and additional lighting across our parks to increase visibility and address areas of seclusion.
"We presented a compelling case for this additional funding and I am delighted the Home Office has endorsed our plans with the maximum award available of £550k."
The improvements cover 18 parks across the LLR area:
-Victoria Park, Braunstone Park, Abbey Park, Western Park, Bede Park, Aylestone Meadows, Rally Park and Knighton Park in Leicester
-Bradgate Park and Queens Park in Charlton
-Warwick Park Kibworth Harcourt and Welland Park in Harborough
-Clarendon Park in Hinckley and Bosworth
-Melton Country Park in Melton
-Brock Hill Country Park and Blaby Road Park in Oadby and Wigston
-Cutts Close Park and Tod’s Piece Park in Rutland.
The grant will also fund the launch of a Behaviour Change Campaign across the area to tackle underlying attitudes and inequalities that help to foster gender-based violence.