Helping to create safer streets in south Liverpool

Crime prevention kits are being handed out in three wards in south Liverpool today as part of an ongoing project to cut crime and anti-social behaviour and improve community relationships in the area.

A series of measures are being being delivered using Safer Streets funding secured by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and Liverpool City Council to increase safety and community spirit in the Smithdown, Arundel and Edge Hill wards (previously Picton).

As part of the £370,000 initiative, 56 alley gates have already been repaired and upgraded in the ward and secure communal bins have been installed for more than 680 homes to prevent burglars gaining access to the rear of properties, while also reducing street bin fires and fly-tipping in the area, making it a safer, cleaner place to live.

The project team have already visited more than 350 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. Reports of ASB have reduced by 16% in the first six months of this year compared to 2022.

Work has also been ongoing with the universities to improve relationships between students and families in the area and last week, they helped to provide skips and collection points for unwanted clothing and equipment as many of students moved out at the end of the academic year.

These efforts were supported by a community clear up by the Liverpool Streetscene team supported by pest control teams, private sector housing provider and the Council’s ASB and Neighbourhood teams.

In the next three months, the project will also see more than 50 streetlights installed or upgraded and a new campaign will be launched when new students arrive in September to help them to stay safe, prevent crime and keep the area tidy.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, said: “This is a really good example of lots of partners coming together to tackle a range of issues, and it is very much to be welcomed.

“Despite this success, I do recognise that there are still significant issues that we need to address, around low level anti-social behaviour and waste management, both here and in other areas of the city.

“The Council will be rolling out a new neighbourhood model of services over the next year, and I want to see us embed this type of joined-up approach in getting residents and landlords to act responsibly and be good neighbours.”

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I’m committed to improving the safety of our communities and that means focusing our efforts in areas where we know local people are facing challenging issues.

“Sadly, this part of south Liverpool was one those areas where we had seen incidents spike, but through this Safer Streets project we’re focused on putting practical, effective solutions in place to reduce burglaries and ASB and make it a safer, cleaner, healthier place to live.

“It’s great to see the work that’s been delivered so far and the difference this is already making, and I look forward to seeing how this project will continue to change things for the better for people living in this area.”

Merseyside Police’s Chief Inspector Tony Fairhurst said: “Tackling ASB is an everyday commitment for us and our partners in Merseyside. The Safer Streets initiative in South Liverpool is supporting the ongoing preventative work to tackle ASB and provide safer spaces for everyone. This includes increased patrols and targeted days of action in hotspot areas.

“Although reports of ASB in Liverpool are 16% lower for the first six months of the year in comparison to 2022, we understand some people don’t report when they see or experience ASB. We would encourage the local community to report what is happening in their area, so we can continue to take action. Visit our website for more information, call 101 or report via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or Facebook.”

You can also anonymously report areas where you feel unsafe because of anti-social behaviour via ‘Street Safe’ at www.merseyside.police.uk/notices/street-safe/street-safe. The information you submit helps the police and partners to identify the areas that need improvements to make our streets safer. Please note, ‘StreetSafe’ is not for reporting crime or incidents.