Almost £500k in funding to “enhance and drive forward work to ensure streets are safe” in Wrexham

Several initiatives to keep people safe have been given the green light following the announcement that almost half a million pounds has been secured from the Safer Streets Fund.

The funding is part of Safer Streets, a £75 million Home Office programme that encourages Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to bid for investment for initiatives to prevent neighbourhood crime.

In July it was announced that Wrexham would receive a share of £1.5 million as part of the fourth round of the initiative.

Locally the funding will enable the hub at Hafan y Dref to open on Friday nights to provide welfare and first aid to people enjoying the night-time economy.

Whether you’ve lost your friends, have no battery power on your phone to call them or get too drunk to get home Hafan y Dref offers a safe place to keep you out of harm’s way.

Four street marshals will be hired in the night-time economy for one year to support police officers and PCSOs to offer advice and support and also signpost to Safe Spaces such as Hafan y Dref.

There’ll be a pop-up police station at Eagles Meadow and a number of Safer Streets Respect days will help target and raise awareness to prevent ASB and Violence Against Women and Girls.

School and community grants directed for intervention projects to tackle youth Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) will be available.

North Wales Police and Wrexham Borough Council will also be engaging with Sixth Form colleges and Glyndwr University and the wider public to help increase awareness and signpost individuals to where they can receive support for domestic abuse.

Paul Roberts, Lead Member for Partnerships and Community Safety, said, “We are grateful for the support of the PCC in recognising the work that is ongoing in Wrexham.

“This further funding will enhance and drive forward the work being undertaken to ensure our streets are safe for everyone and that help and advice is always available for those in need of assistance and support.”

The funding was part of a North Wales wide bid for £1.5 to the Home Office by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s team worked closely with North Wales Police, local authorities, schools, justice services and third sector partners to ensure the bid had as much support as possible across the areas receiving funding.

Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, commented: “I am delighted that the bid for funding from the Safer Streets initiative has been such a success and I would like to thank everyone involved in making sure we secured this money for North Wales.

“I am determined that residents and visitors to North Wales feel as safe and secure as possible in their communities and this funding will go a great way to tackling some of the crime hotspots across the region. From Holyhead in the west to Wrexham in the east, I am determined to deliver safer neighbourhoods and support victims and communities as part of my plan for policing.”