Anti social behaviour and burglaries more than halved, thanks to community safety project in South Liverpool

ANTI social behaviour and burglaries have more than halved in 3 South Liverpool wards, thanks to a project to cut crime and create safer streets.

Delivered using funding secured by Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell and Liverpool City Council, the targeted crime reduction programme was set up to improve safety, security and community spirit in Smithdown, Arundel and Edge Hill wards, 3 areas which had been impacted by a spike in burglaries and anti-social behaviour in recent years.

As part of the £370,000 Safer Streets initiative which got underway in September 2022 and ran until March this year, 56 alley gates have been repaired and upgraded and more than 50 streetlights have been installed or improved to help make the area feel safer and be safer.

Secure communal bins have been installed for more than 680 homes, helping to prevent burglars gaining access to the rear of properties, while also reducing street fires and fly-tipping in the area, making it a safer, cleaner place to live.

A total of 2,000 Selecta DNA kits were given to students within the targeted area to mark their property, as well as vibration alarms, LED television simulators and door chimes, to help deter criminals and prevent burglaries.

Bespoke warning street signs were installed across 7 streets highlighting the use of Selecta DNA in the area to act as a further deterrence.

The project team visited hundreds of student homes in the area offering crime prevention advice, held a webinar for landlords to help them increase the security of their properties and a public drop-in session with the local policing team to listen to residents' concerns.

These efforts were supported by a community clear up by Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited (LSSL) supported by pest control teams, private sector housing provider and the Council's ASB and Neighbourhood teams.

This resulted in fly tipping reducing by nearly 50%, with significant reductions in missed bin collections, pest control numbers and street sweeps compared to before the project started.

Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:- "It is incredibly encouraging to see what a difference this project has made in the Smithdown, Arundel and Edge Hill wards. I'm committed to improving the safety of our communities and that means focussing our efforts in areas where we know local people are facing challenging issues. Sadly, this part of south Liverpool was 1 of those areas where we had seen certain types of crimes spike. Through the Safer Streets project, we focussed on putting practical, effective solutions in place to reduce burglaries and ASB, build community cohesion and make the area a safer, cleaner place to live. Thanks to the hard work and determination of our partners delivering this project, these neighbourhoods have been changed for the better and are now safer, happier places to live."

Councillor Laura Robertson Collin, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said:- "The Safer Streets programme has made a real impact on a number of anti-social issues affecting some of the communities in this part of South Liverpool. It's been a great example of what can be achieved when partners work together to make some simple but fundamental improvements to a neighbourhood, and critically listening to our residents and then acting on their feedback. The results are clear to see and the lessons learnt will have long-lasting consequences."

Mayor announces free travel to support Liverpool City Region care leavers

CARE leavers in the Liverpool City Region are to be supported with free travel passes as part of a new initiative launched by Mayor Steve Rotheram.

Announced at September's meeting of the Combined Authority, the scheme is supported by major transport operators within the Region and is intended to help young people as they gain their independence in often challenging circumstances.

It's expected that around 1,500 young people from across all 6 Boroughs of the Liverpool City Region:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral; will benefit from free travel on bus, trains and ferries.

The scheme, which will be open to care leavers aged between:- 18 and 21, should allow passholders to more easily undertake work or training, as well as attend appointments, meet with friends and family and join in with leisure activities.

According to data from children's charity Barnardo's, young people who have grown up in care are 3 times less likely to be in education, employment, or training than others of their age. They are also prone to feeling cut off and socially isolated, with almost 1 in 5 saying they felt lonely always or often.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "Young people leaving care in our Region often face real difficulties settling into their new lives. We know that access to free travel can have a hugely positive impact on their ability to connect with opportunity. It allows care leavers to do things most of us take for granted; look for jobs, take part in education and training, connect with friends and family, even have the choice of where to shop. I'm pleased that, working with the support of transport operators across the Region, we're able to help these young people as they move forward with the next chapter of their lives."

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council and Cabinet Member for Employment, Education and Skills at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:- "We are committed to helping care leavers get the best start to adult life and supporting them to achieve whatever they set their minds to. Some of these young people have faced a lot of adversity and it is our responsibility as corporate parents to ease their transition to adulthood and do what we can to remove the barriers they face. What better way to celebrate Care Leavers Week at the end of this month than giving our young people the freedom to move around with ease, connect with their community and pursue employment and education opportunities across our Region."

Full details of the scheme and how those eligible will be able to access free travel within the City Region will be made available in the coming weeks.