Tenants of council-owned residential buildings in Newark are feeling safer in their homes thanks to the Safer Streets project.

They say the new security investments have “100% made a difference”.

Earlier in the year the entry ways to residential buildings Lover’s Lane, Tithe Barn and Queen’s Court were fitted with new intercom systems that allow tenants to use their landlines or mobile phones to open their door and, if they have the system set up on a mobile phone, they can view who is at their door through video.

A tenant at Queen’s Court said: “This new system is better for me because I can access it conveniently from my phone and I can see who is coming to me.”

A tenant from Tithe Barn added: “Being able to see who is at the door makes me feel safer. I can open the door from my home and don’t have to go downstairs now to let visitors in.”

A tenant from Lover’s Lane said: “The new system has 100% made a difference. I can open the door from anywhere in the flat and don’t have to stop what I’m doing to let someone in and it’s really good to be able to see who’s at the door.”

LED lighting to the external balconies was also renewed, with the new lighting programmed to power down to 10% and activate to 100% when someone is in the vicinity.

The sites were also fitted with new interactive community noticeboards that allow residents to be kept up to date with community news, safety information, to take part in tenant surveys and more.

The news follows the success of similar installations in previous Safer Streets projects, which left residents feeling more secure in their buildings.

Coun Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am thrilled to see the positive impact the Safer Streets funding has had for these residents, and the improvements they have had on their feeling of safety. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their home.

“The Safer Streets project is well under way with multiple investments including these already implemented and making a difference in our community, and it is always great to know residents are feeling the benefits of the work we have committed to alongside our partners from Nottinghamshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire.”

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry added: “The new intercom systems that have been put in place are one of many innovative ways that Safer Streets is protecting communities and making them feel safer.

“The fact that the only people who can now access the buildings are those that need to, provides comfort and reassurance for residents as well as preventing the risk of anti-social behaviour.

“This work has been made possible by the partnership working between Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottinghamshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire.”

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood said: “Hearing from residents themselves the impact these measures have had on their lives and how safe they feel is great.

“This is what the Safer Streets funding is all about and getting to hear first-hand from people using the scheme and the improvements they’ve had as a result – it really helps put into perspective how important projects like this are to the people in our communities.”

The funding for Newark comes as part of a £3m windfall secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Nottinghamshire for projects across the county.

The Home Office’s Safer Streets fund is aimed at projects to tackle neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour and prevent violence against women and girls.

A number of projects, due to be completed by September are currently being implemented in Newark and Sherwood to create a safer district. In addition to the investments at Tithe Barn, Lover’s Lane, and Queen’s Court, the funding is being used to:

Improve lighting on paths and provide additional CCTV in areas identified as hot spots for anti-social behaviour
Increase CCTV across a number of town centre locations
Install new secure gated entrances for vehicles and pedestrians at St. Marks Place
Support a new initiative to reinvigorate the Shop Watch scheme
Provide By-Stander training for night-time economy staff to address violence against women and girls
Invest in environmental improvements, including additional litter bin provision, relocation of street furniture and improved lighting
Increase targeted police patrols

In total, the OPCC was successful with four £750,000 bids, after working in partnership with Community Safety Partnerships across Nottinghamshire, as well as Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.

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