Community safety projects in Liverpool gain funding to improve women’s security

Liverpool City Council is set to tackle anti-social behaviour and help women to feel safer at night, as community safety projects in Picton will benefit from almost £1m in government funding.

A project team will work with local universities on a communication campaign raising awareness of crime prevention and helping to integrate student populations with residents’ associations and community groups.

£576,000 has also been committed to the Safer Streets Liverpool campaign to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and improve women’s feelings of safety, particularly on public transport.

Mayor Joanne Anderson said: ‘Improving safety in our neighbourhoods and tackling violence against women and girls are both huge priorities and I am delighted we have secured this funding.

‘We have already had success tackling offences due to the Safer Streets Liverpool campaign, and the additional work we are planning will provide a reassuring presence to students on the way home.

‘It is vital that we don’t just challenge behaviour but also seek to change it, which is why the education element is so important.’

Both Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund worked to secure funding with a joint bid for the programme.

There are plans to spend £390,000 on improving and upgrading street lighting, repairing alley gates, and introducing security equipment to some areas to boost resident safety in Picton.

Communal bins will also be introduced to prevent burglars gaining access to the rear of properties through unlocked alley gates.

An increased uniformed presence around transport hubs in the city centre until the early hours on Friday, Saturday and dedicated student nights has been proposed to protect young people too.

This would be along the main bus route, with 21 CCTV cameras added along the route, while safe spaces in transport hubs will also be developed and student volunteers will be on hand to provide support and help getting home when needed.

Primary schools will see education programmes targeted at changing attitudes and influencing behaviour, as well as programmes targeted at adults to challenge misogynistic and stereotypical language.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: ‘Women and girls told us they feel mot unsafe using public transport at night, and this two-pronged campaign is really focused on responding to their concerns. Using practical solutions such as CCTV, a text message reporting service and bystander training, as well as education programmes and a high-profile marketing campaign, we want to prevent and tackle sexual violence and ensure every woman feels safer and is safer.’

Photo by Aleksey Malinovski