Two areas of Northampton to benefit from safer streets funding

Blackthorn and Bellinge in Northampton will see safety and security improvements thanks to £99,000 from the Government’s Safer Streets fund.

The two areas have disproportionately high crime levels and part of this is due to the prevalence of alleyways, underpasses and deprivation.

West Northamptonshire Council applied for the funding to improve lighting in the area, introduce more CCTV and to create activities to engage young people and divert them from criminal activity.

Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services, said: “This funding is vital, and we will be teaming up with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner which has also won funding to improve safety on our streets.

“The money we’ve been awarded will go toward tackling specific issues in Bellinge and Blackthorn, on the eastern side of Northampton, where there are high levels of antisocial behaviour and violent crime.

“In particular, we want to do what we can to begin diverting young people from this kind of activity into something more positive, and we’ll be using team sports as the catalyst.”

There is also a plan to gate alleyways to prevent them from being used as areas for antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and violent crime.