Posted on 17th Nov
Major improvement work has got under to transform lighting levels in Newark as part of a project to increase safety.
Nottinghamshire Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Foody visited the Chatham Court and Lovers Lane area of the town, where Via East Midlands Street Lighting Operatives are upgrading existing lighting with new, brighter LED lanterns.
The works are part of the Safer Streets partnership being delivered by Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire County Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Via East Midlands.
Nottinghamshire secured £550,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which is being channelled into a series of crime prevention measures in the Chatham and Northgate areas to improve the prevention and detection of acquisitive crime including burglary, vehicle crime and bicycle theft.
Project leaders have earmarked £150,000 for improved street lighting in the town alongside new CCTV/ANPR cameras, environmental improvements including the removal of graffiti, target hardening to improve security at the homes of victims of crime and increased cycle security.
A community hub to house a warden-type service to provide a single point of contact for residents to easily access support, advice and assistance is being developed.
LED lights emit white light that gives improved colour rendering and can help with police identification and CCTV.
The work will see the replacement of 72 older sodium lights in the Chatham Court, Albert Street, Castle Brewery Court, Eldon Street, Hardwick Avenue, Harewood Avenue, Princes Street, Rufford Avenue, Southend Avenue and Spring Gardens areas of Chatham Court.
Meanwhile, 31 new lights will be fitted in Lovers Lane, Alliance Street, George Street, Mumby Close, Tithe Barn Court and Warburton Street.
Emma said: “This is an important milestone in the Safer Streets project and one of a long list of practical changes being made to improve safety in Newark.
“The addition of new lighting in these areas will make a huge difference to public confidence and will help to reduce the fear of crime while also assisting police to detect crime. Together with the other security measures being invested in this area, including additional CCTV and ANPR cameras, we hope to significantly reduce the risk of crime to those who live and work in Newark.”
Chief Inspector Elizabeth Rogers, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “This very welcome improvement programme will play a positive role in our ongoing work to tackle burglaries, bicycle thefts and vehicle crime.
“Burglary in particular is a deeply upsetting crime that can have a lasting impact on people whose homes and lives have been violated. Targeting those responsible and protecting people’s property is a key neighbourhood priority and I am sure that this improved lighting will help us in our efforts.”
