PCC and Chief Constable see Safer Streets Summer in action
West Bridgford is benefitting from a major safety drive this summer, with partners working together to tackle antisocial behaviour, support young people, and create safer public spaces.
Led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Nottinghamshire, the initiative brings Nottinghamshire Police, Rushcliffe Borough Council, and community partners together to deliver visible policing, targeted interventions, and support for those most at risk.
Extra high-visibility patrols and private wardens are now in place around the town centre and Trent Bridge area, deterring antisocial behaviour such as criminal damage, trespassing, shop thefts, and begging, while providing reassurance for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Practical measures are also being introduced to reduce opportunities for crime.
This includes “target hardening” of key council-owned buildings – such as installing shutters on a listed building that has been a repeat target for graffiti, arson, and intimidation – helping to protect both staff and the public.
Young people are being offered positive alternatives through activities run at West Bridgford Youth and Play Centre during the school summer holidays.
Sports sessions, which included hot food, are giving young people safe, engaging opportunities while helping to build trust and respect with local police and youth leaders.
Community engagement is also central to the programme. Local officers, council staff and the OPCC Engagement Team alongside Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola attended the popular “Lark in the Park” event in August to speak directly with families about crime prevention and community safety, while students will be supported later this year with targeted safety and security sessions as they move into local accommodation.
Knife crime awareness sessions in Rushcliffe secondary schools are planned for next few months, helping to keep young people safe and informed, while extra joint patrols are also being delivered in the night-time economy to support local businesses and keep people safe during busy evenings.
The funding also includes ongoing investment in CCTV to deter offending and support prosecutions, making the town centre a safer place to live, work and visit.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “West Bridgford is a thriving town centre, and it’s vital that residents, businesses, and visitors feel safe here.
“Safer Streets Summer is about putting resources where they make the biggest difference – whether that’s patrols on the streets, working with young people to prevent crime, or tackling the root causes of antisocial behaviour.
“This work is made possible through my Situational Crime Prevention Fund, which has given every local authority in Nottinghamshire the ability to deliver targeted community safety projects worth £67,500 over the next two years.
“By bringing together police, councils, schools, and local charities, we are building safer streets and stronger communities for the long term.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “We work in a close partnership with our local Police Neighbourhood team and the OPCC and it is heartening to see the engagement with their targeted patrols to make West Bridgford streets safer.
“Our Community Safety Team is at the heart of the joint working. We’re pleased to have such a positive and active partnership that is making a real difference to residents and business owners, giving all a greater confidence in the safety of their town.”
The work in West Bridgford forms part of the national Safer Streets Summer initiative, which is delivering visible policing, community engagement, and problem-solving in ten hotspot areas across Nottinghamshire.
By aligning resources and intelligence across agencies, the programme is leaving a lasting legacy of safer public spaces, stronger partnerships, and improved trust in local services.
Inspector Tim Cuthbert, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Rushcliffe, said: “Our officers are working closely with partners every day to make sure West Bridgford remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
“The extra patrols, youth engagement work, and targeted interventions we’ve delivered this summer are already making a difference – not only in tackling antisocial behaviour but also in building stronger relationships with local residents and businesses.
“By listening to the concerns of the community and acting on them, we are ensuring our resources are focused where they are needed most.”