Money to encourage officers to take overtime by patrolling Spalding town centre more frequently has been announced.
South Holland District Council and the Spalding Town Board says it has allocated ‘up to £40,000’ on ‘hotspot policing’.
The three month trial aims to increase patrols through much of Spalding town centre, the bus station through Hall Place, Red Lion Street and the Market Place, as far as Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens, targeting spots identified by residents and authorities as being more common for anti-social or criminal activity.
It’s being funded by the Spalding Town Board, the group set up to spend £20m over 10 years using some of the money it was given by central government to form it.
In November, Lincolnshire Police announced as part of ASB Awareness Week it was trialling hotspot patrolling areas in the county with the highest levels of violent behaviour, but none were in Spalding.
“This valuable funding enables officers to carry out increased foot patrols via a specially dedicated overtime budget,” a police statement says. “Officers patrol specific areas which have been identified as ‘hotspots’ using data to complement the existing priority setting and tasking methodology.”
Now the scheme is to be rolled out in Spalding being funded by the Spalding Town Board and delivered in partnership with the police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
“Starting as a pilot scheme, it is set to launch in the coming weeks, running for an initial three-month period,” the statement released by South Holland District Council: “It will provide an increased number of targeted police patrols in key identified areas of the town centre, looking to reduce anti-social and criminal activity, engage with the local community and businesses and help residents feel safer and more supported in the town.
“Funding for the project will come from capacity funding allocated to Spalding under the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative, to test its effectiveness for consideration of its longer-term extension and resourcing as part of the town’s investment plan, which will be submitted to government later this year.
“The pilot would build on the Home Office funded hot-spot activities currently taking place in 12 areas across Lincolnshire.”
Coun Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council said: “Ensuring that Spalding is a safe and welcoming places for its residents, businesses and visitors is a key priority for the council, and we are delighted to support this pilot programme to help make that happen.
“This is an important opportunity to explore the positive impact that additional policing resources can bring, and will provide valuable evidence as we make plans on how to best use the Plan for Neighbourhoods government funding over the next ten years to make Spalding a better place to live, work and visit.”
Robin Hancox, chair, Spalding Town Board, said: “I am delighted that we can use some of the government’s early capacity funding to really begin to test some highly visible and meaningful investments on the ground in Spalding.
“This pilot scheme puts us in a position to be able to respond positively and proactively to some of the concerns we have heard about from our local communities which we hope will improve how we all use, experience and enjoy our town centre.
“We want to make sure that with the partnership support of the town board and district council these increased foot patrols will not only reduce incidences of crime and antisocial behaviour but also improve feelings of community safety and security throughout the town.
“We can then continue to build upon this through our regeneration plan for Spalding over the next decade.”
Marc Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, said: “The current programme of hotspot policing, funded using a grant secured by my office, has already proved invaluable in keeping our communities safe from harm.
“The deal with the council and town board will be an important extension to the project and I welcome the opportunity to work with partners to widen the street patrols.
“It is another excellent example of how, when agencies work together, we can deliver better services for the people of Lincolnshire.”
