AN anti-violence programme has secured around £450,000 in funding to boost safety and reduce anti-social behaviour. 

Braintree District Council has successfully secured £297,202 of Safer Streets funding from the Home Office, with an additional £150,506 match-funded to support an anti-violence programme.

The Safer Streets programme focuses on key areas in Witham and aims to improve people’s perception of safety.

The programme has a primary focus on reducing violence against women and girls, neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.

Read more:

The Braintree District Community Safety Partnership is working on launching a number of proposed activities that will be delivered over the next year.

The improvements include police patrols to deter anti-social and crime, and two part-time street wardens employed by Witham Town Council, which will create a "visible high-profile presence" to help reduce the fear of crime and give the public greater reassurance of their safety. 

Witham Town Council’s CCTV network will also be extended to discourage crime and capture evidence that can be used in criminal investigations.

Council communities boss Frankie Ricci said: "Whilst the district is relatively safe, nowhere is free of crime, and women and girls, in particular, are struggling to feel safe walking alone or at night.

"We hope this funding and investment will help to create an environment where our residents feel safer.”

Witham residents are encouraged to visit the webpage at braintree.gov.uk/community/safer-streets-programme to take part in the Safer Streets survey to share how safe they feel in the town and what they think the key issues are.

Those who take part have the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher.