Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry recently joined Chief Inspector Chris Pearson and members of Nottingham City Council's Community Protection Team to see the Safe Space van in action.
These interactions have led to 73 referrals to Nottinghamshire Police and other partner agencies based upon experiences reported to the Community Protection Officers working on the van.
The Safe Space van has been made possible after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £3 million of Home Office funding for Safer Streets projects that help reduce neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as violence against women and girls.
A £750,000 share of this money has been spent in Nottingham, which has allowed for a range of public safety projects to be delivered, from new CCTV cameras to home security upgrades, in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council.
“We want to make sure that when students are on a night out in Nottingham, that they feel really safe,” said Commissioner Henry.
“Reducing violence against women and girls is a top priority for us, and our Safe Space van provides a welcoming and neutral space for anyone in need to speak to someone and report a crime if necessary.
“So please come and enjoy our fantastic city and be reassured that if you need any help we have our officers patrolling throughout the city and we have our Safe Space van here for you.”
The trained Community Protection Officers will enquire if a crime, sexual or otherwise has been committed, and if so will invite the person reporting the offence to take a seat in the van to provide further details which can then be passed on to Nottinghamshire Police or any other relevant partner agencies.
The Safer Streets programme is being delivered as part of an ongoing partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police, and Nottingham City Council, among other local authorities.
