Commissioner urges community to use new StreetSafe tool

The Home Office has launched StreetSafe, an online tool on police.uk that enables people, particularly women and girls, to pin-point locations where they feel or have felt unsafe.

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Violence against women and girls can have a devastating impact on victims and survivors, their friends and family, witnesses, and wider society.

“We know that additional police patrols can help people feel safe and prevent crime and that is why my main priority as Police and Crime Commissioner is to increase police numbers and visibility. But it takes more than just extra officers to make us feel safe.

“Having somewhere people can provide information on places that don’t feel safe, and what makes those locations feel unsafe, will help us to build a picture of what the issues are and to identify the measures we need to take. Information recorded on StreetSafe could help organisations such as police, councils and transport providers to take action that will prevent crime, be that reducing shrubbery to provide better sight lines, installing extra lighting or putting on a new night bus.

“The more information we have, the more effective policing and other services can be in preventing crime and targeting offenders.

“I would encourage people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to make use of StreetSafe tool.”

StreetSafe is part of the government’s strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). It is not a means for reporting crime to the police.

To give information on areas you feel are unsafe visit www.police.uk/streetsafe