Local Senedd Member, Laura Anne Jones, today expressed her concern that Gwent Police has missed out on funding to make our streets safer.
The UK Government’s Safer Streets Fund forms part of its concerted action to tackle crime and to stop offences that blight communities and cause misery to victims from happening in the first place.
The extra funding would have been used to improve security in areas particularly affected by acquisitive crimes such as burglary, vehicle theft and robbery.
It would fund measures proven to cut crime. These would include simple changes to the design of streets such as locked gates around alleyways, increased street lighting and the installation of CCTV.
It would also be used to train community wardens, deliver local crime prevention advice to residents and to establish neighbourhood watch schemes.
Laura Anne Jones said, “I am concerned and disappointed that Gwent is the only police force in Wales not to receive a share of this additional funding.
“Police and Crime Commissioners were invited to bid for a share of this £25 million Safer Streets Fund in January, with each project eligible for a grant of up to £550,000.
“I cannot believe that in the whole of the Gwent Police region there wasn’t a single project thought worthy enough to improve the safety of the public.
“People have a right to know why this additional funding is not coming to Gwent.”