Stockport receives a safety boost and recognition for creating ‘Safer Streets’

Not only has Stockport received central government funding to make users of the town centre feel protected, but it has also retained its Purple Flag accreditation in recognition of its ever-evolving, safer evening and night-time entertainment.

The Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund was introduced across the UK to help towns tackle issues that blight communities. It aims to prevent crime, combat anti-social behaviour and support victims. Stockport was awarded £430,000, part of a £2.4 million grant to Greater Manchester boroughs, to tackle anti-social behaviour and make streets safer for residents in the town centre. It also went to help residents in Brinnington.

New CCTV cameras extend coverage of Stockport town centre

Last year, a survey of residents and businesses concluded that more than two-thirds of respondents were in support of improving CCTV coverage in the town centre. Part of the Safer Streets grant funding has been spent on 10 new CCTV cameras placed in strategic locations to help strengthen and link in with the current security system operated by Stockport Homes.

David Cretney, (pictured below) appointed to the newly created position of Retail Crime Reduction Champion for Stockport town centre, has extensive experience in the area and a drive to work with Stockport Council, Totally Stockport and the Police in supporting businesses to tackle retail crime and making everyone in the town centre feel safe and secure.

As Retail Crime Reduction Champion, David’s role is to engage with retailers and hospitality businesses to listen to concerns about retail security and to offer support and guidance to drive improvements.

David is also providing training and support for businesses to benefit from initiatives that help reduce crime including:

DISC: A crime reporting platform. This system is in place for retailers, businesses, security teams and the police to record incidents; information is used to build an intelligence picture of the area allowing areas of risk to be identified and risk reduction methods to be implemented. It’s also a great way for users to keep up to date with what’s going on in the Stockport area from events to updates on the latest Initiatives.

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