£545K Safer Streets funding secured for Paignton
Issues with anti-social behaviour in and around our Town Centres is one of the most common issues raised with Kevin by residents, with some positive news this week about more funding from the Government to help tackle it.
Following engagement with residents, Paignton Parish Church (Whose churchyard has seen regular issues with drugs related anti-social behaviour) and the Community Partnership, Kevin met with Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez to discuss priorities for a bid to the Safer Streets Fund. She confirmed Paignton would be one of 2 priority areas in Devon & Cornwall to be put forward for funding as part of the next round of bids.
The Home Office has now announced Paignton is to receive £545,000 from it’s Safer Streets Fund, as part of the fifth round of Safer Streets funding. This is part of a £1m package of Safer Streets funding for Devon and Cornwall Police Force Paignton, with a further £527,000 of match funding also identified.
The money will be spent throughout the rest of the 2023-24 financial year and throughout 2024-25 on a range of interventions to reduce crime and disorder, with police, councils, businesses and community groups engaged in the work. This includes community engagement and education, CCTV improvements, upgrades to street lighting and additional staff appointed to focus on Anti-Social Behaviour.
Last year Torquay Town Centre was warded £746K of Safer Streets Funding from the previous round of Safer Streets Funding.
Commenting, Kevin said: "This latest funding announcement for Paignton is welcome news and will directly support the major regeneration work being undertaken to turn around the decline of recent decades. With two major new hotels on the seafront by the Fragrance Group, Crossways finally being demolished, Paignton Picture House Regeneration now underway and a deal imminent which could see major private investment into the area around Station Square, Paignton is finally getting the support it deserves."
