A new scheme has been launched in Falmouth today (Apr 29) to help tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.
Safe & Secure is an initiative from the Falmouth Town Team, a collaboration between Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and Falmouth Town Council.
It hopes to address concerns over rising levels of anti-social behaviour that is now seen on many of Britain’s high streets. In Falmouth, 83% of local businesses highlighted anti-social behaviour as a crucial area for BID investment in consultations that led to its recently secured fourth, five-year term.
New Street Rangers will be a visual presence throughout the town, along with the rollout of a crime reporting system called Disc. This will complement an enhanced CCTV service – a vital function proactively secured by the Town Team when the previous scheme managed by Cornwall Council and Tolvaddon Fire Control, faced cuts. The Falmouth team stepped in and identified a series of measures that would enable an ongoing vital provision for the town through an expanded CCTV network, in addition to a monitored control room.
Other towns across Cornwall are now looking to Falmouth as an exemplar of best practice within this area. Furthermore, Falmouth BID investment has enabled the provision of a town link radio system for businesses. This BID subsidised scheme currently provides an immediate communication channel for the 20 plus signed up businesses and the plan through the Safe & Secure project, is to grow and enhance this network across Falmouth’s day and nighttime economies.
Executive director of Falmouth BID, Richard Wilcox, said: “Following our strong mandate at the recent BID ballot to continue investing in Falmouth through a fourth, five-year term, we are not resting on our laurels. Several new projects are being rolled out and with Falmouth businesses stating clearly to us the negative impact that low level crime and anti-social behaviour is having, we have worked hard to plan and now launch the significant new Safe & Secure scheme.
“By strengthening our operational partnerships with our local police team, the Safer Falmouth group and other organisations, our reach and influence can be more effective and keenly felt by our businesses and wider community.”
