COLCHESTER is to receive almost £1 million in funding to tackle an “above average” level of anti-social behaviour and sexual offences.
The cash boost will benefit the city centre and the Greenstead estate where Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst says there is a fear of crime.
Mr Hirst said the design of the estate provides a lot of alleyways which are badly lit and cause people to worry for their safety.
And in the city centre there is a “significant fear of crime” among residents, particularly from women.
The money from the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund will see £264,043 invested in Greenstead, matched by £226,492 from Colchester Council.
The city centre will receive £283,555 from the fund and £226,492 from the council, helping to fund nights of action, the SOS Bus and an enhanced ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme.
“We all want to see less crime in our communities and this focused investment will mean we can drive down neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour in these areas,” said Mr Hirst.
“We have been told by communities that there is a real fear of crime in these areas, especially among women and girls.
“Nobody should feel afraid to go out in their community and this work will help create safer spaces which everybody can enjoy without fear.”
Mr Hirst added there is a “higher-than-average” level of anti-social behaviour and sexual offences compared to the rest of Essex in Colchester.
In Greenstead, the vital money will help move forward plans of installing a mobile, re-deployable CCTV camera system.
A full-time neighbourhood warden will also be employed as part of the landmark funding, alongside local projects to increase safety along certain routes.
The University of Essex will also be engaged with during a series of events looking to tackle issues on the estate.
Colchester Council’s housing and communities boss Julie Young said the funding is “fantastic news”.
The Greenstead councillor added: “By drastically stepping up the action we take to deter the small but disruptive number of people who are blighting our neighbourhoods and the town centre, we can better prevent crime."
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