Partners took to the streets to raise awareness of a safety initiative taking place in and around Stockton town centre.
Staff from Cleveland Police, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Thirteen Housing engaged with residents on the Portrack Estate. They let them know about the Home Office-funded Safer Streets 5.
Many households in Portrack and Tilery, in Stockton Town Centre, as well as parts of Ropner, are eligible for “target hardening packs.”
The packs contain a number of home security measures. They include window locks, doorbells fitted with cameras, solar motion sensor lights and plug-in timers.
Listening to residents
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner said: “Where I’ve rolled out Safer Streets projects in other areas of Cleveland, they have proved to be a massive success.
“I’ve listened to residents in central Stockton and have heard their concerns. I’m proud to be in a position to support them. I have no doubt that delivering Safer Streets 5 in this area will be successful. A range of measures will provide safety and peace of mind for residents.”
Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: “The free equipment available to residents in the Stockton Town Centre ward and parts of Ropner ward is a vital tool to help ensure members of the community can feel safe when they’re at home or at work.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this scheme alongside our partners. I would encourage anyone who is eligible to get themselves signed up to access the free home security equipment, like cameras and window locks.”
Fantastic free gift
Paul Payne, Cleveland Police’s crime prevention specialist for Stockton, said, “This is a fantastic free gift as part of Safer Streets funding. It is a perfect opportunity to further protect homes from burglars but will also help make a difference to the wider community.
“Already we have had a great response. Up to 50 residents in Portrack are interested in taking up the security equipment, which we will be looking to deliver in the coming weeks.
“We will also be looking to roll out the equipment further in other parts of Stockton. Therefore I’d ask homeowners to keep an eye out for our postcard to sign up.”
Angela Corner, Thirteen’s Head of Community Resilience, said: “We were delighted to join partners to raise awareness of the free home safety equipment available for eligible homes in Stockton Town Centre and parts of Ropner ward.
“This is a fantastic initiative, and the equipment will help make a real difference in reducing crime and ASB in these areas.”
The Home Office-backed programme is led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland. It is working in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Council, Cleveland Police, the Power of Women, a Way Out and Thirteen Housing.
Safer Streets 5 aims to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.
Extra street lighting and CCTV cameras are also being fitted in Stockton’s Safer Streets 5 zone during this financial year.
In addition, work has started to install metal railings in Ouseport and Devonport Roads. They aim to deter nuisance bikes and quads from accessing spare ground.
Up to £331,000 will be spent in Stockton over 18 months. Work in the town is part an overall Safer Streets package of almost £1m across Cleveland.
Safer Streets 5 will run until March 2025.