The Safer Streets project in the Midland Road area has seen a major upgrade to the CCTV system, home safety equipment and advice offered to residents, and home visits carried out by Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue and other local organisations, as part of this Home Office funded project.
Now, residents and businesses across the Midland Road area are being invited to a virtual community event to find out more about the project, how they can get involved and meet the agencies and partners involved.
It will take place on Thursday 18 March, from 2pm to 4pm. There will be representatives from SmartWater, Neighbourhood Watch, Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police and others.
So far as part of the Safer Streets project, over the last 3 months teams from 11 different local agencies have completed home visits with nearly 300 households. As part of those visits, over 200 residents have received free SmartWater kits to help protect their property from burglary, and the teams have completed home security assessments for 90 homes.
A number of new streets have been added to the Safer Streets area in the final weeks of the project. Residents living in Sovereigns Quay, The Avenue, Herons Quay, Ashburnham Road, Woburn Road, Poulter Close and Conduit Road can apply for a free SmartWater kit by emailing saferstreets@bedford.gov.uk
Cllr Colleen Atkins, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said “The Safer Streets project is a wide-ranging initiative which has brought many benefits to the local community, from improving the CCTV system around Midland Road, installing home security, to meeting and engaging with residents, businesses and the local community.
“This virtual event is a good opportunity to meet with the agencies and organisations working in your area, find out what’s going on, and most importantly to have your voice heard. I know how much local people and businesses care about their neighbourhood and we also look to work with the local community and help address issues that people care about. Please come join us on the March 18.”
Clare Kelly, Chief Executive for the OPCC for Bedfordshire, said “I’m so grateful to local residents who have already registered to give their time to the community and extend that thanks to our partners who have worked so hard to provide a practical event for the people of Bedfordshire.”
To register for the event email saferstreets@bedford.gov.uk or call 0777 666 0235.
The Safer Streets Community Hub has been established in the area where agencies can be based to work with the community offering support where needed, which will be funded for a further 6 months by the OPCC.
For more information about the Safer Streets project, visit www.bedford.gov.uk/saferstreets.
