Last month, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex announced £1.6m of new funding to drive down anti-social behaviour in 15 targeted hotspot areas of Essex.
Brentwood High Street is one of the 15 areas identified following data built from public reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) to Essex Police and feedback from local residents and Community Safety Partnerships.
The funding will build on the success of £1.1m of funding invested in 13 hotspots last year, which took place under the continuing name Operation Dial. This operation resulted in reports of anti-social behaviour dropping by 13 per cent across Essex
The new funding will be used for extra high-visibility police patrols, community safety patrols, youth outreach work and crime intervention projects across the 15 areas identified in Essex.
The Leader of Brentwood Borough Council and Chair of the Clean and Green Committee, Councillor Barry Aspinell said, “I welcome any assistance from all organisations in our fight against anti-social behaviour throughout the borough, but especially in our High Streets. Brentwood is vulnerable to such unlawful acts due to its proximity to the M25 and strong transport links to London's boroughs, with our two train stations on the Elizabeth Line allowing direct access into Brentwood and Shenfield town centres.
“Our intention is to strive to make Brentwood safer, cleaner and greener and I thank all those involved in the Community Safety Partnership, Brentwood Borough Council and Essex Police in achieving this additional funding. Brentwood Connected’s recent investment to introduce Town Rangers has supported our priorities on this issue, as will our plans for a High Street Task Force.”
Councillor Ben Rigby, Chair of the Brentwood Community Safety Partnership, added: “I'm delighted to see further investment into combating anti-social behaviour in Brentwood High Street. It's one of several measures, including changes to our multi-storey car park in Coptfold Road and improved parking in William Hunter Way, to ensure residents and businesses can use our streets safely."