Safer Streets: The journey so far
In July 2020, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, secured £436,994 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund that aims to tackle burglary, robbery and theft in crime hotspots. The fund was allocated to the Salthouse Road area of Barrow.
The funding will be used to reduce residential burglary offences and the campaign includes some wide reaching preventative measures such as the completion of a crime prevention survey, new recruitment of community volunteers, installation of new street lighting in the back alleys and an upgrade of existing street lighting across the whole area.
COVID-19 placed delays on the work, however improvements have started in the Salthouse Road area. The installation of new street lighting in the back alley’s began on Monday 7 December. Barrow Borough Council has carried out street cleanings and volunteers have conducted COVID-19 safe, door-to-door survey with residents to get a better feel for what it is like to live in the area, what issues they feel need to be addressed and take part in a home security survey.
The fund is supplying and installing thousands of pounds worth of crime prevention measures and home security equipment free of charge to any home within the area: privately owned, council owned and rented. The security equipment ranges from door chains and locks, window security, security lights for back yards, garage security, letter box security, graffiti removal. All work is being carried out by skilled local tradespeople who are police vetted and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “The Salthouse Road area of Barrow will greatly benefit from the Safer Streets fund and I know that everyone wants to create a safer and more secure community for their families, friends and neighbours.
“I have partnered with the Constabulary, Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria County Council to work together on this project to reduce residential burglaries, robberies and theft in the area.
“It’s fantastic to see the changes taking place, with more to come, and I hope that these improvements make a real difference to the lives of the residents in Barrow.
“I am committed to making Cumbria an even safer place to live and I look forward to being able to take even more steps towards achieving this goal.”
To be part of this project as either a volunteer or to request a free of charge home security survey please email SaferStreets@barrowbc.gov.uk or telephone 01229 876543.
