New street surveillance cameras and security measures for homes are set to be installed in County Durham and Darlington as part of an £830,000 scheme to reduce crime in our neighbourhoods.
Earlier this year, the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, together with Durham Constabulary, submitted two bids to the Home Office’s £18.3 million Safer Streets Fund (Round two), which provides money to evidence-based initiatives across the country that aim to make streets safer and clamp down on burglary and other acquisitive crime.
Both bids were successful, resulting in £333,290 being awarded to Darlington (town centre and surrounding streets) and £505,294 for Easington.
The areas were specifically chosen based on specific criteria and rates of acquisitive crime and the bid had to meet exacting crime prevention criteria.
The money will be used to pay for several new CCTV cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
It will also fund new security measures for victims of burglary in Easington (Easington Colliery Central, Easington Colliery North and Easington Village South).
The houses in close proximity to the victim household will also receive the evidence-based security measures, which include window locks, internal lights on a timer, external lights on a sensor and double locks/deadlocks on external doors.
Crime prevention advice, specific to the target areas, will also be provided to residents.
It is hoped these positive changes for residents and make it a safer place to live and work.
The improvements aim to not only reduce the amount of crime but make it less appealing to criminals.
The projects will be delivered by Durham Constabulary, in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council, and the Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS).
Chief Constable Jo Farrell, of Durham Constabulary, said: “The funding provided by the Safer Streets Fund will make a significant difference to Darlington and Easington which formed the focus of our bid.
“The CCTV and ANPR cameras, as well as the new security measures, will not only act as a deterrent to people thinking of getting involved in any criminal behaviour but also make the community feel safer.
“This funding will enable positive changes to take place – making it safer and improving the quality of life for those that live there.”
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “It is great news we are going to be able provide further security measures to prevent crime, protect individuals and make homes safer across Easington and Darlington.
“The fund will enable more local communities to receive targeted crime prevention advice through work with our local partners. The addition of more CCTV and ANPR cameras as well as securing more properties to prevent burglaries, will help make the communities of County Durham and Darlington safer, stronger and more resilient to crime.”
Councillor Jonathan Dulston, deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council, added: “We’re working closely with police and other partners to ensure Darlington is a safer place to live and work and the Safer Streets funding will enable us to enhance and extend our CCTV network and ANPR cameras in the town centre and surrounding streets.
“Working together on initiatives such as this we can make a difference for residents and businesses, as well as visitors to Darlington.”
Councillor John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We are delighted that significant funding has been awarded to ensure residents in this part of County Durham are as safe and secure as they can be.
“This funding will build on the work we have already done with partners to protect people’s homes, and make sure our residents continue to feel safe and supported.”
You can find out more information on the Safer Streets fund by emailing SaferStreets@durham.police.uk
