Improvements in Balderton begin thanks to Safer Streets funding

The funding in Balderton is going towards a number of improvements and initiatives including improved lighting and CCTV, attitude and behaviour change sessions, and raising awareness for reporting ASB. Environmental improvements are also included in the programme and as part of this the first share of the funding has gone towards new bins and benches.

The benches have been installed at Coronation Street Park and replacement bins have also been installed there and at Balderton Lake to help reduce littering in the area. These environmental improvements have been included in the project to target and reduce what is known as the broken windows theory, which suggests that that if an area has littering, graffiti or visible signs of vandalism around it, it will often serve to attract other crime and ASB.

In November it was announced that Nottinghamshire was going to be awarded almost £1 million through the Safer Streets 5 project and as part of this Balderton, Newark would receive a share of that funding to help tackle neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls. This is the fourth time Newark has benefitted from Safer Streets funding and over £1 million has been invested towards a safer Newark and Sherwood from the scheme to date.

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “We have already achieved significant results through our Safer Streets projects, and it is fantastic to see the work beginning in Balderton for Safer Streets 5. Improving community safety and security are the very core focus of the programme of work we have planned as part of the project, and I am looking forward to seeing the progress we make.

“The Safer Streets Project is a great example of our successful partnership working and our commitment to tackling ASB and crime. In addition to this project there are some great things in the pipeline to help make our residents feel safer including our recent expansion of the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, enhancing and improving our CCTV network and more. We will continue to push forward with this work to create a safer Newark and Sherwood.”

Councillor Jane Buxton, Chair of Balderton Parish Council said: “Hopefully, by working together as a partnership with our Safer Street partners and by pooling our local knowledge and experience, the outcomes will be more beneficial for our community. The parish council are so pleased to see the first installations as part of the Safer Streets project coming to fruition. As we move forward with these plans, I sincerely hope our residents soon start seeing the benefits of this project, with a reduction in anti-social behaviour and feel safer when out and about in Balderton.”

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “It was a pleasure to visit beautiful Balderton recently to speak with partners on the Safer Streets interventions coming to the area, thanks to the additional funding we’ve secured through the Home Office.
“We know there have been some troubles in the area with antisocial behaviour, particularly around the park area. That is why the addition of new high-quality CCTV as well as environmental improvements such as new bins and benches will make a massive difference to feelings of safety to the people of Balderton.

“This also marks the first time we’re working alongside a Parish Council as well as a District Council in addition to our partners at Nottinghamshire Police. Safer Streets is an amazing opportunity for us to collaborate and build lasting partnerships locally all while working together to make our communities even safer.”

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood said: “I am aware that anti-social behaviour is consistently a concern for the community and has a significant impact on the lives of local residents and businesses. We have already seen some great successes through the Safer Streets project, and I am pleased to see that Balderton is benefitting from Safer Streets 5. We will continue to work hard, in partnership with both the district and parish council to ensure that this funding is used effectively to make some lasting changes that will benefit the whole community.”

The Council reminds residents to always report incidents whether you are the victim or a witness. If you are reporting urgent cases, call the Police on 999 or non-urgent cases to 101. You can also report ASB issues via the District Council website and also anonymously to Crimestoppers on www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Always report incidents of ASB directly via official channels only as complaints made on social media may not always be logged as official reports and therefore cannot be investigated.

Watch a short video from the Safer Streets 5 partners here: https://youtu.be/aQTMSA2Fy5I