Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has welcomed Government investment into tackling local anti-social behaviour, and has urged Bradford Council to bid for a share of the £150 million that has been made available through the Safer Streets Programme.
The Safer Streets Programme provides funding to areas most affected by crime and anti-social behaviour and will allow local authorities to bid for up to £500,000 per year for each project. The latest round of the funding will be the first to be specifically aimed at stopping anti-social behaviour.
Projects from previous rounds of ‘Safer Streets’ funding have made a huge impact on local communities. Funding has been used to improve the security for thousands of homes that were vulnerable to burglary with alleyway gates installed to prevent an easy escape for offenders. Other projects across the country have focused on setting up neighbourhood watch groups, increased CCTV and introducing wardens to undertake community engagement and train members of the public in crime prevention.
Moore has regularly used his position to raise concerns about local anti-social behaviour in Keighley and Ilkley. He meets regularly with relevant Home Office Ministers to discuss theses local issues, and has raised it several times in the House of Commons.
Robbie Moore MP said: “There is no denying the fact that in Keighley and Ilkley, anti-social behaviour is a real issue. This includes so many problems, including drug-taking and the intimidation of innocent members of the public.
That is why securing funding to tackle anti-social behaviour has been one of my top priorities since being elected. I was therefore delighted to see that £150 million will be put towards this as part of the ‘Safer Streets Fund’.
We could get up to £500,000 for measures such as increased CCTV and Neighbourhood Watch Groups as part of this funding, so it is absolutely vital that Bradford Council put in a bid to make sure we get this funding.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our local communities are the beating hearts of the UK and I want our streets to be safe for everyone to go about their daily lives without fear inflicted on them by criminals.
The Safer Streets fund improves the safety and security of areas blighted by crime and helps the police and local councils ensure that everyone is safe on our streets, going to the shops, seeing friends. It also prevents potential perpetrators committing such crimes in the first place so our communities are able to flourish.”
