Cash for “dramatic improvements” to Midland Road in Bedford has been secured to make the area safer.
£434,000 was secured by Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) after applying for a share of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Campaign.
Money will be spent on a number of crime reduction measures including, enhanced CCTV coverage, gates and fences around car parks and back alleys, home security equipment and crime prevention advice for residents and businesses.
Research into the “perceptions and concerns around crime and Anti Social Behaviour” was carried out across the whole Borough by the PCC’s office, Bedfordshire Police’s Community Policing Inspector, the Architectural Liaison Officer and Bedford Community Safety Partnership.
Midland Road was highlighted as a key area of concern due to its “exposure to street drinking, homelessness and drug use”.
“This successful bid is such good news for Midland Road residents who have been blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour,” said Castle Ward Councillor Lucy Bywater.
“We look forward to seeing this funding make a real difference to people’s lives.”
The project will be run by Bedford Borough Council and overseen by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), with local residents’ organisations helping keep local people involved in the projects.
“I want local residents and businesses to own these projects with us. They know the area best and can contribute to making these neighbourhoods safer for the community as a whole,” said PCC Holloway.
Workshops for local residents to help make sure the money is spent in the right way will be announced shortly. If you’d like to take part, contact the OPCC via PCC@Bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk
