FOLLOWING a successful bid for £550,000 for the Warrington Safer Streets project by Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer, in November, police and partners have begun to roll out initiatives.
The money is to be used to tackle violence and intimidation against women and girls, increasing the feeling of safety for the borough’s residents. The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, Cheshire Constabulary, Warrington Borough Council and partners are working together on a number of projects that are already underway.
The funding has secured the services of two well respected national organisations who will deliver innovative education programmes in every high school in Warrington. This is designed to equip our children to understand key issues around ‘consent’ and ensure they are able to stay safe as they develop into young adults. It is anticipated some of this work will be ground breaking and set the standards for other areas to follow. It is anticipated this initial investment will facilitate a curriculum in schools which helps to keep people safe for years to come.
Aside from this long term approach there are some more immediate changes anticipated in the area:
Town Centre closed circuit TV has been further reviewed and is being enhanced; street lighting is also being enhanced to improve surveillance and improve feelings of safety. This is adding to the improvements already made around Bridge Street, Winwick Street and the bus station area.
Warrington police officers have received specialist training which helps identify potential perpetrators, enabling early intervention where required. Over the festive period there will be an increase in officers to help those frequenting the town feel safer.
The partnership is also working on measures to reassure people using licensed taxis and implementing specific training to ensure our taxi services are as safe as possible thereby increasing feelings of safety.
Bespoke training is also being developed for businesses, services and those working or volunteering around the night time economy to spot vulnerability and provide safe interventions, along with recognising harmful or predatory behaviours. It is hoped through this training we create a cohort of capable guardians who are active and vigilant around the Town Centre to keep people safe.
Mr Dwyer said: “This work continues to build on the innovative and collaborative working already in place between partner agencies. Tackling violence and intimidation against women and girls is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan, and once this project is complete my aim is to look into the effectiveness of this work if it was rolled out across the county.
“I want to reassure women and girls in Cheshire that their safety is taken extremely seriously by the police and partners. Violence against them is not their fault. Total responsibility lies with the people who commit these crimes and this funding will be key in helping to change attitudes and behaviours.”
Chief Constable Mark Roberts added: “Collaborative work is vital to help us succeed in our priority to tackle violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls. Crimes predominantly affecting women and girls, such as sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and forced marriage, have a long-lasting impact not only on those directly affected but their families and communities, which cannot be underestimated.
“We are resolute in our aim to ensure that not only are perpetrators brought to justice but that people in Warrington can feel reassured that everything is being done to ensure they can go about the town in safety.”
Further initiatives in the pipeline include procuring a provider for education and bystander work focused on young people at high school and college level, responsible guardians in the town centre to support victims of violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls alongside working closely with the council to identify opportunities for environmental improvements based on responses to a recent survey.
Cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “Community safety partnership working to tackle violence, intimidation and harassment against women and girls in Warrington is absolutely critical. I’m therefore pleased to see this collaborative approach being taken forward to provide practical support, such as enhancements to CCTV and street lighting, alongside longer-term support and advice through the comprehensive training programmes in our schools.
“This programme is an important strand of our Central 6 masterplan which spans Warrington’s inner wards and the town centre, but is equally about ensuring everyone in our borough can go about their lives safely. The council takes harassment and violence against women and girls extremely seriously and, working with our partners, we are determined to ensure the Safer Streets programme is rolled out effectively.”
