Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the progress of the Council’s Safer & Stronger Communities programme.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Highways, Housing & Enforcement presented the report of the Director: Neighbourhood & Enforcement Services. The report outlined the progress and impact of the programme since its initial launch in April 2021 in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues across the Borough.

The programme had grown from an initial £2.5m investment to £6m following a combination of Council funds, PCC contributions and successful securement of external bids. Through the use of a data and intelligence-led approach, it had delivered targeted interventions in high-need areas, resulting in a reduction in crime, fly-tipping, and anti-social behaviour.

Key achievements included the expansion of youth services, improved housing standards, targeted crime reduction through use of local action plans and enhanced community safety infrastructure through the installation of 170 new streetlights and CCTV cameras.

Working in partnership with external organisations and educational settings, the programme had provided a range of youth activities including the Urban Games initiative aimed at children and young people aged between 8 – 16 years old and offered opportunities to participate in sports activity. During the 2024 summer holidays, over 3,000 children and young people had attended the free sessions with a total of 9,000 children and young people attending sessions since its launch in 2022. Telford Kicks, which was another youth activity provided through the programme had offered free Friday night football sessions to over 130 children and young people with a number of attendees securing their own coaching qualifications.

The use of local area action plans had resulted in a 5% reduction in the number of shop lifting incidents in Telford Town Centre and Newport. Other interventions had included tackling the illegal use of motorbikes, mini motos and quadbikes. CCTV had also been extended into taxi’s on a voluntary basis through funding provided in conjunction with the Community Safety Partnership which would see 20% of Telford and Wrekin licensed taxi’s fitted with CCTV units.

A review of anti-social behaviour reports in August 2024 had shown a reduction of 28% when compared to the previous year with recorded crime also continuing to reduce. The Council had continued to engage with residents on tackling fly tipping to reduce the impact on the community and environment. Over the past 12 months, the number of fly tips reported to the council had decreased up to 48% in some areas of the Borough. During 2024/25, the Council had investigated over 1,200 fly tips, issued 186 warning letters, 130 statutory notices and 40 fixed penalty notices.

The report underpinned the core values of partnership working and the programme’s success in protecting vulnerable residents and fostering a community resilience approach through continued investment and effective use of CC funding to deliver tangible outcomes for residents.

Cabinet Members praised the work of Council officers and highlighted how the programme had had a clear impact on reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and fly tipping. Members recognised that as a result of the programme, crime rates in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60