Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across England
and Wales will be able to bid for Safer Streets Fund
investment for measures aimed at preventing acquisitive
crime in disproportionately affected areas.
Initiatives could target vehicle theft, robbery or
burglary, among other crimes, and could include
interventions to improve home security, such as
installing better locks and gating alleyways, and make
streets better lit at night.
Each crime prevention plan will have the potential to
make communities safer while freeing up the time of
police and other agencies to focus on more complex
crimes.
The fund has been designed to ensure local communities
can participate in the development of these plans and
will also include money for community projects that
complement them.
It will also target areas disproportionately affected
by these crimes. Analysis shows that robberies,
burglaries and theft disproportionately take place
within certain communities - in 2017-18, the top 5% of
local areas recorded 23% of all acquisitive crimes.
PCCs must work with local authorities and other
partners to develop these plans, which need to be based
on evidence, demonstrate value for money and engage
local communities.
As they are rolled out, each initiative will be
assessed to help inform future government investments.
Funding will be available to areas from April 2020.
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and
the Local Government Association were among those
consulted on the design of the fund.
