Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has hailed the success of a safety project that has helped protect 436 Lutterworth homes from the risk of burglary.
Since the launch of the Safer Streets 2 project last summer, security experts have visited hundreds of residents in the town to carry out free risk assessments as part of a plan to increase safety and prevent crime.
In total, Lutterworth residents received 4,500 free security products over the 10-month project ranging from new locks, window alert alarms, light timers and door bar/chains while 155 received bicycle/vehicle packages to protect them from theft. In addition, all residents received a Personal Attack Alarm and a Property Marking Kit.
Mr Matthews said: “The Safer Streets scheme has been a phenomenal success and it is rewarding for all involved to hear about the positive impact these improvements have had on confidence, peace of mind and feelings of safety.
“Our partners 24-7 Locks Ltd and Harborough District Council have worked relentlessly to ensure our communities receive the full benefit of this funding, with 24-7 Locks Ltd in particular delivering a huge programme of works within a challenging time-frame.
“Preventing crime was always a key aim of the scheme but we also set out to help free people of the fear of crime so they no longer felt apprehensive about leaving their homes. It is clear from the feedback we’ve received that these security products have improved confidence and safety considerably.
“There is always more to do of course, and I will build on this progress with our partners in the near future, exploring every available funding opportunity to bring further improvements to our communities and reduce the risk of street crime.”
Cllr Simon Whelband, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for Wellbeing, Communities and Housing, said: “Over the last two years incidents of burglary and vehicle crime have reduced across the district. This great initiative further increases the feeling of safety for residents and the additional measures will help keep incidents down in Lutterworth.
“The area remains a safe place to live and it’s fantastic to see such positive partnership working to deliver the best for our residents.”
The Safer Streets 2 project was funded by a £432k grant secured by Mr Matthews following a successful bid to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.
This was topped up by a further £50k grant from the Home Office in January to expand the security scheme, some of which was used to fund vehicle and bicycle security packages in Lutterworth.
Together, it has funded security upgrades to more than 1,000 homes across the areas of Castle Donington, Hinckley, Lutterworth and Melton Mowbray – areas impacted by disproportionate levels of serious acquisitive crimes such burglary, robbery and theft.
Alongside free home improvements, the scheme has funded new police automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and additional CCTV as well as enhanced streetlighting in some areas.
Lutterworth resident John, 72, who benefitted from the scheme, said: “I can only say how impressed I was, it was terrific.
“The lad that came out, Liam, fitted two new locks for me and explained why they were better than the original ones. He fitted window alarms, timers for the lights and a device that makes the TV look like it’s on. He also gave me a personal alarm. I’ve made use of everything and thought it was such a fantastic scheme.
“I was burgled in a previous house twice in a week. Even after all these years it’s still with me and I’ll go back and check I’ve locked the door when I’m going down the driveway. That’s how it stays with you.
“I live on a busy road but we are quite vulnerable which is why we qualified. I feel much safer now. It’s nice to know there’s a light on now when I go out at night. I really cannot speak too highly of everything. It has been much appreciated.”
Harborough District Community Safety Partnership funded an additional round of security risk assessments and fittings for 29 households on the reserve list once the original quota had been met.
Of the core security products, 24-7 Locks Ltd distributed 728 three-star Diamond-Rated, Anti-Snap Cylinders to secure the main points of access to properties, 426 light timers, 184 door bar/chains and 1097 window alarms.
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Posted on Friday 6th May 2022