Fresh financial backing for neighbourhood safety initiatives
Additional funding has been announced for Telford & Wrekin Council’s Building Safer & Stronger Communities programme, enabling it to continue its vital work for another two years.
This brings total investment in the programme to £6 million since its launch in 2021, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to creating safer, healthier, and more resilient communities across the borough.
Communities will continue to benefit from targeted interventions, youth engagement, and environmental improvements that make neighbourhoods better places to live, work, and thrive.
Building on its proven success in reducing crime, tackling anti-social behaviour, and supporting vulnerable residents, the continuation of the programme means:
- Sustained reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour: In areas where the programme has been active, anti-social behaviour dropped by 28 per cent and recorded crime by 11 over the last 12 months. Recorded crimes per 1,000 people has also been consistently below the regional and national average since 2023.
- Cleaner, safer environments: Overall fly-tipping has decreased by 9 per cent and up to 48 per cent in some areas, thanks to community reporting tools and enforcement action.
- More opportunities for young people: Initiatives like Urban Games in which 9,000 young people have taken part in to date and Telford Kicks have engaged thousands of children and young people in free, positive activities.
- Improved public spaces and infrastructure: Investments in street lighting, CCTV, and public art have helped deter crime and improve the sense of safety in public areas.
The programme’s success is rooted in collaboration with West Mercia Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and local communities, using intelligence to target resources where they are needed most. This approach ensures that every pound invested delivers a real, measurable impact.
With continued funding from the Council, the Home Office Safer Streets Programme, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Police & Crime Commissioner, the next phase of the programme will focus on:
- Preventing crime at its roots, especially among young people at risk of exploitation.
- Expanding youth and community activities to promote inclusion and wellbeing.
- Tackling persistent issues like fly-tipping and environmental crime.
- Promoting health and resilience through low-impact physical activities and green space initiatives.
Councillor Richard Overton, (Lab) Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement said: “This council is committed to creating a cleaner, greener and safer borough and our ongoing commitment to this programme is a vote of confidence in its future and demonstrates we are on the side of residents tackling issues that matter to them.
“Our continued focus on Building Safer & Stronger Communities ensures that Telford & Wrekin Council can continue to deliver on its priorities to support every resident to live well, making every neighbourhood a great place to live, and protecting the natural environment.”
This project is part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s wide-ranging investments strategy for 2025/26, which sees money going into creating jobs, supporting education and skills, improving transport, roads and high streets, enhancing green spaces, and looking after vulnerable people.
