Posted on 7th Apr
Nottinghamshire Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Foody visited Newark to hand-deliver prizes from a safety survey.
She presented Newark resident Paul Mallory with a 4G solar-powered security camera after he won a prize draw for completing the Safer Streets residents’ survey.
The questionnaire was launched to gather feedback on the results of a £550,000 safety project funded by the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which has seen the PCC, Paddy Tipping, working together with Nottinghamshire Police, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council to deliver a series of measures to prevent burglary, vehicle crime and theft.
Also receiving a high-tech security camera for his home was Newark resident Anthony Simpson, who won second prize.
Safer Streets has funded a series of improvements, including the introduction of a dedicated Burglary Reduction Officer for the area, free security upgrades such as new fencing, high-security doors and windows, and 4G solar-powered security cameras at burglary victims’ homes and neighbouring properties in the Chatham Court and Northgate areas as well as upgraded street lighting worth £150,000 and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras that help police detect crime.
Residents living in these areas were asked to complete a short online survey to help project leaders determine whether the investment is already making a difference to their lives.
Paul, 50, who lives with his wife and four children, said: “We are delighted to have won something that will help us improve our security.
“We have lived here for 11 years and while we have not had any problems with crime ourselves, it just makes you feel much more secure to have a camera, especially at the back of the property where we have the back garden and our shed. We are apprehensive when we go away and this will give us more protection.”
Emma added: “It is rewarding for all the Safer Streets team to know the changes we have made are making people feel safer.
“We listened carefully to what local people felt was needed for the area and we delivered. The impact of these measures will be felt for some time to come.”
The project has also delivered 90 hours of extra police patrols per month while eligible cyclists have received free GPS trackers to protect their property and free bike marking.
Environmental improvements have been carried out to remove graffiti and waste, clear undergrowth and weeds and improve the look of the area while progress is being made to transform a flat in Chatham Court into a new Community Hub where local people will be able to access policing, housing and other council services in person.
