Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, has today welcomed the announcement that Thames Valley Police will receive funding from the Safer Streets Fund.

This Government is committed to preventing crime, empowering communities and support our police. This is why last year, the Government launched the first £25 million round of the Safer Streets Fund, a Manifesto commitment. This round of funding supported 52 projects across 35 police force areas in England and Wales to invest in a range of situational crime prevention measures in acquisitive crime – including neighbourhood crime - hot spots across England and Wales. Some excellent work was carried out for this round of funding with highly positive responses from local communities. The Home Office is currently awaiting the final independent evaluation of these projects, which will add to the evidence base of best practices in crime prevention.

The second £20 million round of the Safer Streets Fund, running over the 2021/22 financial year, also targets neighbourhood crimes such as burglary and robbery through simple, well-evidenced crime prevention measures including improved streetlighting and home security. The Fund will support 50 projects across 41 police force areas.

It has been announced this week that a project located in Reading has been successful in the bidding process. The Government will be providing £401,950 of funding to the Thames Valley Police Crime Commissioner who has agreed to match fund this project with £104,990, ensuring maintenance and sustainability beyond the project funding period. This project will carry out a variety of crime prevention measures including the installation of seven fixed CCTV cameras with ANPR and providing 120 radios to businesses to enable them to mutually support one another while tackling business crime.

Alok Sharma said:

“Street crime must be tackled firmly and effectively. From my discussions with constituents, it is clear that a localised and targeted action is required and therefore I welcome the announcement that Reading will receive funding from the Safer Streets Fund.”

Kit Malthouse, Minister of State for Crime and Policing said:

“I would like to assure you and your constituents that I remain determined to drive down crime, preventing it from happening in the first place, and make our neighbourhoods safer.”