Safer Streets Initiative Gets Further Boost
Party goers and revellers will be in safe hands this festive season as Falkirk Council invests a further £12,121 into the successful Safer Streets Initiative.
The additional funding secured from the Scottish Government for the period November 2009 - March 2010 will be targeted at the successful Taxi Marshalling Scheme, now in its second year.
And at today's Environment and Community Safety Committee, members heard that the new funding could also be spent on providing a safe facility in the town centre for people who feel vulnerable or unsafe at nights or weekends during the festive period.
The Safer Streets Initiative and in particular the local Taxi Marshalling Scheme have had a positive impact on reducing the fear of crime in Falkirk Town Centre at evenings and weekends. During the festive period 2008, crime in Falkirk Town centre reduced by 23% on Friday and Saturday nights according to an analysis of police reported statistics. It also showed that assaults and breaches of the peace were down by nearly 50% over the same period.
The new funding could allow Falkirk Council and its partners to develop and provide a Safe Facility which would offer advice and support for people who feel vulnerable or unsafe and will complement the initiatives already on the ground locally.
Safe Facilities already operate in Stirling and Dundee and have led to:
- A reduction in Accident and Emergency attendances
- A reduction in the number of individuals held in police custody
In May 2009 Falkirk Council agreed to fund the ongoing provision of the Taxi Marshalls at weekends throughout the year.
- Falkirk Council (30/10/2009 )
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