Government Funding Secured To Tackle Eastbourne Crime

Wednesday, 5 August 2020 13:39

Around £420,000 of government funding has been secured to help tackle anti-social behaviour, theft and burglary in a part of Eastbourne deemed to be disproportionately affected by these offences.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne worked in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council, Sussex Police, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships and community safety organisations to bid for the money from the Safer Streets Fund.

The fund is a national scheme which aims to help reduce burglary, vehicle crime and other theft-based offences in harder-hit residential areas.

In Eastbourne, the £419,970 grant will be spent on projects for the Devonshire ward.

Detailed plans for the money will now be discussed with work likely to include improving the security of residential and business premises by installing CCTV, locks and new street lighting and providing local crime prevention awareness and supporting smaller businesses in becoming members of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships.

Councillor Rebecca Whippy, Eastbourne Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Disabilities and Community Safety, said:

“Securing this money is great news.

"This funding will help build on the good working relationships we have with partners and we will now begin engaging with local communities and businesses, to agree how the money can best be used to design out crime and reduce anti-social behaviour.

"Improving the experience of living and working in this area will help make Eastbourne an even safer place in which to live, work and visit.”

Adam Godden, the council’s specialist advisor for business crime, added:

“This bid outcome is welcome news for the local business community.

"The available funding will help the town’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership support local shops and business by offering more patrols, providing advice and delivering improved security measures.

"We will now begin working with local shops, hoteliers and business owners to identify how the funds can best deployed over the coming months."