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Extra cash for safer streets
10/12/2008
All Scotland's local authorities are to receive funding from the Scottish Government to help ensure that people going out during the festive season can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.
The Safer Streets funding of £660,000 is to be divided between all 32 local authorities to fund community safety initiatives including high visibility police patrols in 'hot spot' areas, street pastors, targeting of street drinkers, enhanced CCTV and late night taxi marshalls.
Announcing the funding during a visit to meet police officers and taxi marshalls in Edinburgh, Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said:
"It is only right at this time of year when people like to go shopping or go out for a meal or a drink that they can do so free from the threat of aggressive or antisocial behaviour.
"The Scottish Government is already taking action to tackle the "drinking to get drunk" culture in our country which so often leads to violence through considering bringing in minimum pricing and banning irresponsible promotions.
"This additional funding for all Scotland's local authorities will support community safety projects that seek to reduce violence, particularly alcohol fuelled violence and stop the minority spoiling the fun for the rest of us.
"From street pastors in Perth, taxi marshalls in Falkirk and under age discos in South Ayrshire, we are working together to make the streets of our towns and cities safer and help ensure that people can have an enjoyable Christmas and New Year."
COSLA Community Safety Spokesperson Councillor Barbara Grant said:
"I welcome this additional funding during the festive period as this will help to ensure that our local communities can enjoy this special time of year feeling safer.
"In addition, this initiative demonstrates the partnership and shared commitment by the Scottish Government and Local Government to reducing the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour through activities such as high profile police patrols and late night taxi marshalls."
Jim Hunter, Community Protection Manager at the City of Edinburgh Council said:
"Safer Streets funding will go a long way to upping our game over the festive period and making sure there are extra Police and Community Safety Officers on the streets looking out for the public's welfare at such a busy time of year. A range of extra measures are running across the festive period which aim to ensure everyone has an enjoyable time in the city centre over the coming weeks."
Superintendent Mark Williams, Area Policing Commander said:
"At its peak Christmas in Edinburgh can see over half a million people on the streets of the capital. Our objective is simple, to ensure that visitors and residents alike can safely enjoy the festivities in the city centre without being exposed to violence and disorder.
"This funding will allow us to put additional resources on the streets at critical times and in key areas, preventing crime, tackling anti social behaviour, whilst providing a highly visible policing presence."
The main objectives of the Safer Streets initiative are:
- Reducing crime, in particular violent crime
- Tackling alcohol related disorder
- Diverting young people from crime and antisocial behaviour
- Reducing the fear of crime - increasing community reassurance
- Improving road, fire and home safety
- Strengthening partnership working