Decision 2022-0013: Safer Streets 4 Middlesbrough

Between March 2022 and May 2022, the Home Office opened applications for the Safer Streets 4 Fund.

The fund aims to address the following issues: acquisitive crime, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and antisocial behaviour.

Bidders had the option to choose one ormore of the target issues for the bid to focus on. Middlesbrough chose to focus on antisocial behaviour in the Hemlington and Pallister Park areas

However, it is expected there will be secondary benefits in reducing VAWG and acquisitive crimes as part of some of the measures implemented.

As part of the preparation for the bid, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (OPCC) worked with local partners including: Middlesbrough Borough Council, Safer Communities, Cleveland Police and Thirteen Housing.

Data was analysed across the target issues and feedback from local surveys was taken into consideration.

The OPCC submitted a bid to the fund in partnership with Middlesbrough Borough Council, Cleveland Police, Thirteen Housing and local charities.

The bid was successful in receiving funding of £696,611 over 18 months, up to September 2023.

The project will target specific parts of Hemlington and Pallister Park in Middlesbrough – areas selected due to the disproportionally high levels of antisocial behaviour incidents.

The key aims of the project are to reduce the number of antisocial behaviour incidents in the target areas; to improve residents perception of safety in the target areas and to evaluate interventions to improve the evidence base around ‘what works’ in tackling antisocial behaviour.

The main outputs of the Home Office funding are:

• Improvements to CCTV and Street lighting
• Environmental changes including: the removal of planters, cutting back of trees and shrubbery, new dual use bins, installation of barriers and kick rails.
• Closure of Cass House road underpass and providing alternative road crossing at this point.
• Blocking off alleyways beneath overhanging bedrooms.
• Staffing – Project manager and community development worker
• Communications and promotional materials
• Target hardening packs for properties in the area and securing of void properties
• Sporting provision and training courses for young people in the target area
• Set up of a professional witness service

Additionally, the following are provided through match funding:

• Staff time, including locality manager
• Conversion of offices in Hemlington to be used as a multi-agency hub
• Additional CCTV and security around the Viewley shopping centre
• Upgrade to existing CCTV
• Resurfacing of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
• Youth outreach services funded through the PCC.

Breakdown of the funding through the Safer Streets 4 bid is as follows:

Decision 2022-0013: Safer Streets 4 Middlesbrough (application, 188kB)