Are the streets safe enough? Ashford Streetwise

In the last couple of years there has been a focus on how we can make the streets safer, particularly for women and girls.

Of course it all starts early on with education, learning right from wrong and how you should treat people when out and about and the importance of healthy relationships.

However, there are other steps that can be taken beyond this point and Ashford, following a successful bid to the home office was awarded £550,000 to make the streets of its town centre safer, particularly for women and girls via the Ashford Streetwise app and much more.

Officers from Ashford Borough Council and Kent Police have been working to implement the varying aspects of the project.

So far, here is what has been delivered through the project;

• The creation of the Ashford Streetwise app (launching 29 April)
• Active Bystander training has been delivered to over 180 front line staff from businesses operating in the town centre
• A network of Safe Spaces – premises people can go to if they need help and support when out in the town centre (look out for the window sticker or find them on the app)
• Additional Ashford Partnership Against Crime radios purchased to increase the number of guardians in the town centre (and support Safe Spaces)
• 20 school presentations, emphasising key safety messages and the importance of respect and healthy relationships
• CCTV cameras have been installed in Edinburgh Road Car park and at Elwick Place, eight public space cameras have been installed in the town centre as well as wall-mounted mirrors to improve sightlines
• Improvements to the Memorial Gardens to remove undergrowth and replace the perimeter fence
• Purchase and distribution of:
  • SmartTag to licensed premises
  • Personal safety equipment
  • Pressure washer and litter picking equipment

One of the most important things we can do as members of the public is remain vigilant, call out your friends or those you see for acting inappropriately and always make sure you have safe modes of transport.

Written by Callum Knowles

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