RESIDENTS in Flintshire are benefitting from almost £400,000 worth of funding aimed at making areas safer.

On September 29, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Andy Dunbobbin met Shotton West Councillor, and Flintshire Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Sean Bibby, to see how new crime fighting initiatives are making a difference and helping to keep local residents safer in Shotton.

The projects have been funded through the Safer Streets Fund, which is 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.

It was announced in July last year that the Shotton and Queensferry areas of Flintshire had been successful in their bid for over £385,000 from the fund. 

During the visit, the PCC and Cllr Bibby visited a number of hotspots that have benefitted from the funding. The pair also spoke to local residents, who told of the difference the measures had made in preventing anti-social behaviour and other crime in the area.

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Among other Safer Streets successes locally, the area has seen:

  • The installation of 6 re-deployable CCTV cameras. An additional CCTV camera has also now been purchased and is in place at the main Queensferry Roundabout junction with the A494, supporting the environmental works there.

  • Street Lighting and landscaping.

  • Locations have been identified by the local community, councillors and authorities, such as in the Nelson Street and Westminster Crescent areas for works including the widening of footpaths and improved lighting and surveillance of the areas and re-enforcing physical boundaries to areas suffering from fly tipping.

Mr Dunbobbin said: "It was great to see the difference that the Safer Streets initiative is making in Shotton and to hear first-hand from residents about how much it has helped reduce instances of anti-social behaviour near their homes."

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One local resident said: “Since the cameras have been installed it’s a lot quieter and we don’t get groups of people hanging around anymore, which means it’s a lot more peaceful. Plus, the new lighting is amazing! All the neighbours are really pleased with it and they all comment about how much more lit up and safer it feels."

Cllr Bibby added: “A number of initiatives have been put in place to address residents’ concerns with ASB and drug dealing activity. I have very positive feedback from residents in particular with the re-deployable CCTV, additional street lighting and crime prevention packs.

"Hopefully the infrastructure that the initiative has funded will have a long-term impact in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our community."