£1.5m funding for community safety projects across the county has today been announced by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
Details of the latest tranche of funding, totalling £1,574,342, from the PFCC’s Local Safer Streets Fund have now been announced.
The money has been granted to 19 community projects across Essex which all aim to help communities make streets and public spaces safe and secure.
A major project to improve community safety in Castle Point district has received £1,041,534 for 64 new CCTV cameras and improved CCTV infrastructure. This project includes new cameras on Canvey Island and in Benfleet and Hadleigh.
This bid has received match funding of £183,207 from partners and the new CCTV system will benefit from monitoring arrangements with Southend City Council’s control system, providing economies of scale through close collaboration between authorities.
Among other areas which have received funding include Epping Forest, Basildon, Braintree, Colchester, Chelmsford, Thurrock, Tendring and Southend.
All applications to Safer Streets which met the established criteria were successful in receiving funding. The efforts of applicants are appreciated the PFCC is committed to supporting initiatives that align with the Police and Crime plan.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build success, prosperity and well-being for all.
“I am delighted to allocate Local Safer Streets funding from the round two, tranche three, to improve the lighting, CCTV, install safety measures and support awareness campaigns in key areas across Essex.
“Safer Streets funding is making a difference in Essex – anti-social behaviour incidents in Essex are now 70% lower than they were in 2016
“We aim for no person to feel unsafe in their community or in public, but we have a particular focus on the safety of women and girls. All these projects will build community safety in our county.”
Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council, said: “This investment is a game changer and will ensure that people in Castle Point will feel safer with the knowledge that the Borough is protected by these new cameras, monitored 24/7.
“Community safety is of vital importance for the Council and we will work closely with Essex Police to determine the most effective locations for them, including antisocial behaviour spots.”
Another project to receive funding is CCTV installation, lighting improvements, diversionary activities and community projects Oakwood Hill housing estate in Debden. This project has received £167,500, supported by match funding from local partners, including Epping Forest District Council, of £141,000.
Cllr Paul Keska, Portfolio holder for Regulatory, Technical & Community Safety Services at Epping Forest District Council, said:
“We are thrilled to have secured this funding for the Oakwood Hill Estate Safer Streets Project.
“This project presents great opportunities to enhance the community, promote a sense of ownership in the environment, and address safety concerns and anti-social behaviour. This cross-service initiative, supported by our own investment, marks a significant step forward for the Council as we work towards creating safer and more secure communities within the district.”
The £1.5m Safer Streets funding can be split into two distinct areas, large scale infrastructure projects to improve community safety and smaller grants up £20,000 to fund community intervention projects helping people get help and support to stay out of criminal activity.
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