Purpose

To approve the programmes and release the capital and revenue required to deliver them.

Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet RECOMMENDS to FULL COUNCIL:

1. To approve the development of the Safer Communities Programme focused on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and improving safety for Breckland residents.
2. Allocate an initial capital and revenue budget of £150,000 and £450,000 respectively to cover the delivery of the Safer Communities Programme.
3. Delegates authority to the Executive Director and Executive Member for Health & Communities to approve expenditure up to the approved programme budgets of £150,000 capital and £450,000 revenue, in accordance with the Council's Constitution and Financial Regulations.

Reasons for the decision

Community safety is an established Council priority, and the proposals build on more than a decade of investment in CCTV and subsequent investment in Safer Street Wardens and partnership working.

The expanded warden service would provide greater resilience and geographical reach, enabling visible patrols, reassurance, early identification of problems, intelligence gathering, engagement and appropriate referral or enforcement across towns and rural locations.

CCTV investment would improve coverage, reliability, image quality and evidential capability in priority locations, based on objective assessment and partner intelligence.

Risk-based improvements at temporary accommodation properties would help protect households, staff, contractors, neighbouring residents and Council assets without treating people experiencing homelessness as a source of risk because of their housing status.

Together, the measures provide a practical prevention package combining visible presence, technology, business engagement, partnership working and targeted intervention.

The programme supports safer, more welcoming town centres, local businesses and resilient communities while complementing, rather than replacing, the role of Norfolk Constabulary.

Alternative options considered

·         Approve the targeted investment to provide a coordinated package combining visible patrols, improved surveillance, targeted protection of temporary accommodation and business-led crime prevention through Pub/Shop Watch. This would increase coverage, resilience and prevention capacity while strengthening partnership working with businesses, Norfolk Constabulary and other relevant partners.

·         Do nothing