Ipswich to get improved CCTV and lighting thanks to almost £1m of 'safer streets' funding
It's hoped it will make the town safer at night
Smarter CCTV, safe hubs and improved subway lighting are planned for Ipswich as it makes use of £932,000 funding for safer streets.
The £500,000 awarded to Ipswich Borough Council as part of the Home Office’s safer streets fund has been added to a contribution totalling £432,000 by Suffolk constabulary, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, community improvement company Ipswich Central and the borough council itself.
This is the third wave of funding provided to Ipswich through the safer streets fund, which allows local authorities and Police and Crime Commissioners to bid for investment in initiatives proven to prevent neighbourhood crime.
Labour councillor Alasdair Ross, portfolio holder for community safety at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “This winning bid will mean we can make many improvements in Ipswich that will make people feel more confident, particularly at night, in some of our central areas.
“We have overseen many improvements to make Ipswich safer but we can always do more and these new anti-crime measures will make Ipswich better for all – except criminals.”
The changes will be made in the town centre and waterfront areas of Ipswich, including the main retail, hospitality and business districts as well as at the university area.
Plans include improved CCTV and monitoring, better street lighting, and improved lighting in the subway at St Matthew’s Street.
As part of its focus on violence against women and girls and tackling anti-social behaviour, safe hubs with help points will be created and the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign will be enhanced to include all licensed premises and publicly accessible buildings in the town centre.
‘Ask for Angela’ is a campaign that started in 2016, in which those who are made to feel uncomfortable or threatened by someone they are out with can ask a member of staff for Angela. If trained, the staff member should help them discreetly escape the situation.
Personal safety alarms will be given out, and body-worn cameras will be distributed to door supervisors.
Ipswich is the only council in Suffolk to benefit from this funding, which is solely for areas disproportionately affected by burglary, robbery, theft from the person, and/or vehicle-related theft.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tim Passmore said: “I was delighted to see our recent Safer Streets bid was successful. It will bring much-needed funds to Ipswich.
“Nothing would please me more than seeing other Suffolk communities receiving similar funding to support their local area.
“The application process can be time-consuming but Ipswich’s success shows the endeavour really does pay dividends, although of course there is no guarantee.
“I know from my own PCC fund, despite our efforts, there is a geographic imbalance in the distribution of the funding.
“Every additional pound we secure from national funds takes the pressure off our policing budget, so it’s essential we take advantage of every opportunity.”
Spokespeople for East Suffolk and West Suffolk councils both stated they did not meet the criteria for this funding, but continue to work with partners to reduce crime in the local community.