City center safer with crime-fighting cash.
Ben Adams, the police, fire and crime commissioner has committed PS150,000 to make Newcastle’s center safer for tourists.
The money will go towards improving lighting and installing gates along alleyways. Additional CCTV will also be installed to protect blindspots.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council oversees a large part of the scheme.
Gill Heesom, the authority’s cabinet portfolio holder in community safety and well-being, stated that she was very pleased with the funding.
“The police and council have done a great job in the town centre with antisocial behaviours and other elements crime – but this news is fantastic because it means that we can improve what’s already happening.”
Eight new CCTV cameras will be installed in the town centre, which will feed into existing control rooms.
They will be located on Ironmarket (two), Lancaster Building (two), High Street (two), Guildhall, Midway, Midway (two), or Goose Street.
On Goose Street, street lighting will be upgraded at a cost of around PS3,000. Lancaster Building lighting will be upgraded at a cost of approximately PS12,000.
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Tree pruning will also be done on Goose Street, High Street, and Iron market to increase CCTV coverage.
An additional PS40,000 was allocated for antisocial behaviour campaigns.
A number of alleyway gates that it believes are not fit for purpose will be replaced by the council.
They also plan to establish a scheme for street pastors to help with the nighttime economy.
Cllr Heesom stated that this would help support an existing project that aims to create a safe place for girls and women.
She stated, “We use Lancaster Building, and it’s open every Friday night from 9pm to 2am.
“Any woman who is uncomfortable in a situation or needs support can come to us.
“It’s all volunteer-led. I’m one the volunteers. We hope the street pastors can tie in with it going forward.
“If street pastors are in the center of the town, they might actually see people who may need support that we aren’t currently reaching.
“So they can bring women together, or direct them towards the right place.”
The CCTV will be installed by March 31st, and there will be improvements to some of the subways in the area.
