More CCTV has been promised around Weymouth in a bid to make women and girls feel safer.
Dorset Council plans to make the change after successfully securing almost £250,000 of funding for initiatives in Weymouth that protect women and girls from violence.
Of this money, the council aims to install CCTV cameras in a number of additional locations that they say could benefit from the added security and ‘will improve perceived levels of safety’.
In addition to the cameras, the funding will go towards continuing the operation of a safe space that operates as a sanctuary for women and girls, and there will be more work to prevent and support women who have been subjected to stalking and harassment.
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Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety, said: “The council is committed to helping tackle crime and make the council area one of the safest in the country. This funding will make Weymouth safer for women and girls in the daytime but also the night-time economy.
“The additional CCTV will mean previously uncovered areas will become revealed so people can be reassured there are eyes on lots of places. The excellent work of all our partners at St Mary’s Church can provide a moment, or more, of sanctuary on a night out.”
The successful bid of £246,976 was submitted by Dorset Council to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund and aims to improve the safety of Weymouth throughout the day and night. It sees the council’s Community and Public Protection service work alongside Weymouth Town Council, Dorset Police, Weymouth Street Pastors and St Mary’s Church – a haven for medical and support services for vulnerable women and girls.
Paragon’s Stalking Clinic, which provides domestic abuse services, will also benefit from the funds. It will be provided with an administrator to respond to enquiries and referrals from victims of stalking plus a colleague who will deliver new stalking awareness training.
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Councillor Molly Rennie, member champion for domestic abuse, believes there are several factors which can make women and girls feel unsafe, or actually threaten their physical and mental wellbeing.
She said: “The work taking place through Safer Streets, and this funding, is to address some of those factors and help women and girls feel and be safer in our communities. I would also like to remind everyone their behaviours can make women and girls feel unsafe or threaten their physical and mental wellbeing.”
The funding will ensure that women and girls continue to have a safe space within Weymouth town centre.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “I am delighted with the outcome and my office and I fully support Dorset Councils successful bid for Safer Streets funding.
"The funding will ensure that women and girls continue to have a safe space within Weymouth town centre as well as see an increase CCTV and victim’s support. The safe streets funding will help women and girls to feel safer in our communities and prevent crimes from occurring.”
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