Major cash boost announced increasing community safety across West Yorkshire

25th July 2022

Over £1.2m is on its way to West Yorkshire, supporting two key projects which will both increase the safety for women and girls, and tackle anti-social behaviour.

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin made the announcement today following a successful Home Office bid to the Safer Streets 4 Fund.

It will see £717,953.61 directed into a number of projects to support the safety of women and girls across the night-time economy in West Yorkshire, including ‘safe space hubs’, the creation of more street marshals to assists those in need of help and the extension of the West Yorkshire ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative, which enables those who feel vulnerable or unsafe to seek assistance in bars, clubs and businesses.

A portion of the money will also enable the development of a male targeted behaviour change campaign designed to address attitudes and approaches towards women.

A further £518,137.60 will go towards tackling anti-social behaviour and misuse of motorised quad bikes and motorcycles in West Yorkshire’s residential areas, as well as parks and open spaces. This includes enforcement activity focused on the misuse of vehicles, a youth outreach and diversion programme working with charities in specific areas, and a public engagement campaign to ensure communities do not suffer or tolerate anti-social behaviour.

Community Safety Partnerships, Local Authorities, West Yorkshire Police and third sector organisations will work together with the Mayor to deliver distinct and localised aspects.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “This announcement is huge news for West Yorkshire and means that our vital work to keep women and girls safe continues. In addition to that, tackling anti-social behaviour that brings misery to so many, will also be addressed, which is again fantastic for residents across the region. “I launched my Police and Crime Plan earlier this year with an overall vision of a safe, just and inclusive West Yorkshire.

“This Plan sets the direction for policing and community safety over the next three years and as I pledged, the safety of women and girls sits at the heart of it. This money means we a step closer to achieving that vision with our partners.

“Alongside the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, I will continue to work with police and partner agencies to ensure funding such as this truly delivers for those who are most vulnerable, putting them at the very centre of our response.”

Previous funding through Safer Streets monies last year helped promote safety and use of parks by women and girls through understanding the barriers to women feeling safe and supporting community groups to develop park-based activities for women and girls.

Money was also used to deliver a programme in Higher Education / Further Education establishments to support women’s safety and generate behaviour change in men.

This included education around consensual sexual behaviour, personal safety training for young women and an active bystander course for peers to facilitate challenge and disruption to unacceptable behaviour.