Wigan Council secures £500k to tackle anti-social behaviour

Wigan Council led the successful bid, on behalf of the Place and Community Safety Partnership, to the government’s Safer Streets Fund and has secured more than £500,000 which will be spent on a package of new measures to reduce crime in targeted areas of Leigh.

The measures include increasing the number and reach of CCTV in the area, improving street lighting, improving safety measures around specific properties, and transforming derelict open spaces into community gardens.

These physical changes are part of a wider action plan being led by the local councillors, the council, and partners, to tackle anti-social behaviour and community tension. This includes plans for partners such as the council, police, NHS, probation service, housing service, and others to have a more visible and active presence in the area.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for police, crime and civil contingencies, said: “For some time now it has been a top priority for all partners to tackle anti-social behaviour in specific areas of Leigh. To secure this funding is fantastic and will enable us to bring about real change in the way we work for residents in the area and allow us to implement practical measures to make the streets safer.”

“The work of the Place and Community Safety Partnership and of local councillors has been vital to securing this funding. I hope residents feel reassured we are taking their concerns extremely seriously and are committed to making a long-term impact. We knew these issues wouldn’t be solved overnight but it is still high on our agenda to improve the quality of life for this community.”

After concerns were raised by residents last year over complex and historical anti-social behaviour issues in Leigh, a steering group was established with representatives from the council, local councillors Cllr Dane Anderton, Cllr Susan Greensmith and Cllr Peter Smith, GMP and Leigh Neighbours and Leigh Residents Association to develop an action plan to improve the situation.

The Safer Streets bid was a key part of this response.

A number of short-term practical measures were rolled out including rapid deployment cameras, increased visibility of the police and authorities in the area, and increased ASB enforcement.

A longer-term strategy was developed which looked a range of issues including ASB, housing, environmental issues and community cohesion.