Shoppers, businesses and residents along Bearwood Road in Smethwick are now benefiting from the installation of 12 new high-tech CCTV cameras thanks to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.

The cameras, covering all the main shopping areas with the highest footfall, are wirelessly linked to Sandwell Council’s CCTV control room, where they are monitored 24/7, 365 days a year by licensed operatives.

Going forward, the cameras will prove invaluable in preventing and detecting crime and increasing feelings of safety for people shopping, working and living in the area. Councillor Syeda Khatun, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said:

“It’s great to see this investment in Bearwood which will help improve safety in the area for all those living, visiting or working there.

“People should have the security and confidence that comes from having a safe street and a safe home, and this is central to our Safer Streets project in Bearwood.

“It’s great to see the project up and running to help make everyone feel safer.”

The cameras were part of a wider Safer Streets bid that was made to the Home Office resulting in £227,000 of funding being secured.

Other parts of the project include: extra youth work in Lightwoods Park and the surrounding area, the recruitment of a Community & Business Engagement Officer who has been working with partners including the Smethwick town neighbourhood police team to improve communication and provide crime prevention, and safety advice and Year 6 transition work in two local primary schools delivered by voluntary sector partners Krunch Sandwell and Loudmouth Education and Training.

The Safer Streets Fund targets neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls and anti-social social behaviour. One of the goals of the Safer Streets Fund is to trial approaches, to build evidence of what is successful in preventing and deterring these offences. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, added:

“We are delighted to have secured Safer Streets funding for this important project in Sandwell, which delivers on key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.

“I’m committed to rebuilding community policing, combatting violence against women and girls and the prevention of crime and anti-social behaviour.

“My top priority is justice, safety and security for people, communities and businesses.”