A crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Guildford is under way thanks to funding secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and partners.
The town was one of three Surrey areas awarded a combined total of almost £1million last year as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.
Guildford was granted £273,000 to combat anti-social behaviour, or ASB, which can include everything from harassment and rowdy, inconsiderate behaviour to noise nuisance and criminal damage.
Surrey Police, working closely with key stakeholders including Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford, are now working to drive down reports in the town centre.
A recent survey of residents revealed that incidents are most likely to occur at weekends between 12noon and 8pm.
Police crackdown
To tackle the problem, Guildford’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, Guildford Borough Council, and Experience Guildford joined forces with Lisa’s team to secure Safer Streets funding.
The scheme targets specific crime issues in communities around the country with the aim of reducing offending.
Redhill and Walton-upon-Thames were also both awarded funds through Safer Streets.
Guildford’s tranche of funding has been used to pay for street marshals, who patrol ASB hotspots around the town centre at weekends during the peak times of offending.
It has also been used to bolster youth engagement.
Safer Streets success
In addition, there has been an increase in officer visibility within the town centre, with more patrols taking place during peak times.
Partners have also been working closely with businesses in the town, many of which are funding and implementing their own measures to support the project and tackle ASB.
A multi-agency operation which also involves British Transport Police, The Friary and other local businesses has already kick-started within the town on certain Sundays in a bid to identify and prevent the causes of ASB.
In addition, newly-designed digital posters are being displayed around Guildford, including at the train station, at bus stops and aboard buses, and a social media campaign aimed at young people and their parents has launched. The campaign warns that ASB is not welcome anywhere in the town.
Guildford Borough Commander Blaine Rafferty said: “We’ve been working closely with local partners to introduce these new measures to help tackle antisocial behaviour in Guildford.
“It’s a priority”
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy our town centre and feel safe. This funding has allowed us to put our focus on ASB hotspots in town, and areas where the wider community has raised concerns.
“ASB is a priority for us. We have plain-clothed officers supporting uniformed colleagues in Guildford identifying any nuisance, inconsiderate behaviour or criminal activity.
“They will be operating in the town centre on a regular basis to help Guildford be a safe environment for all.”
Lisa said: “I’m really pleased that our Office has played a key part in securing the funding for this project in Guildford that will address the concerns of local residents around issues including theft, criminal damage and substance misuse in their town centre.
“As well as preventing crime, I am proud that the work with local partners will also boost the engagement with children and young people that is a core part of keeping our communities safe for everyone.”
Commissioner’s pride
Lead councillor for regulatory services, Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith, said: “I’m delighted with the summer campaign targeting antisocial behaviour.
“It’s so important that we all respect one another and collectively stand up and say ‘no’ to behaviour that is unacceptable in our town.
“By working together, we can all help make sure our town continues to be a great place to live, work and do business. A town to be proud of, where everyone feels welcome, can be authentic and feel valued.”
Pete Lambert, town safety and venue liaison manager at Experience Guildford said: “We fully endorse this campaign to help reduce ASB in Guildford town centre through strong partnership working with Surrey Police, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Guildford Borough Council.”