By KLTV Newsdesk –

Greenhead Park in Huddersfield and Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury are set to benefit from a £46,000 investment from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund.

Kirklees Council have announced they are working with partners and ‘Friends of’ groups to draw up plans to use the funding to help make the parks safer.

The plans aim to stop offences from happening in the first place and reduce safety fears – particularly for women and girls.

In addition, it’s hoped that the work would also encourage more women’s groups to use the spaces.

How could the funding be used?

Plans could include improving the look and feel of the parks and cutting back certain vegetation to increase visibility.

In addition, improved lighting, better signage, or training and mentoring for crime prevention activities could be included.

Partnerships

West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Kirklees Council, and West Yorkshire Police made a successful partnership bid for the funding.

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, coordinated the bid.

A total of £655,000 has been secured for West Yorkshire, £46,000 of which has been allocated to Kirklees.

‘Welcoming Places’

Councillor Carole Pattison, Cabinet Member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities said: “Following the successful bid for funding I am pleased we will be able to make enhancements to Greenhead Park and Crow Nest Park.

“The funding will ensure they are welcoming places, with spaces where everyone feels safe.

“The safety of everyone using our parks is always an absolute priority. Officers from Safer Kirklees and West Yorkshire Police walk through the parks regularly to support this.

Cllr Pattison noted that while incidents in the park are already rare, the council believes it’s still important to invest in enhancing crime prevention and increasing the feeling of safety, especially for women and girls.

She added: “We are looking forward to working with our partners and the ‘Friends of’ groups to ensure any potential hotspots are identified and appropriate work is carried out.”

Cllr Pattison also highlighted the importance of making sure the benefits leave a lasting legacy, that can provide insight into future designs or redevelopment of other public spaces.

She said: “Sadly, the national picture shows women and girls are disproportionately likely to experience certain types of crimes, like sexual and verbal harassment.

“So, as well as the improvements we’re making in public spaces, I’d also like to remind women of the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign which many of our town centre evening entertainment venues are supporting.

If you feel unsafe on a night out whilst in one of these venues, you can approach staff and ask for ‘Angela’. They will discreetly help you out of the situation.”

‘Substantial Funding’

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, commented: “Improving the safety of women and girls is a fundamental pledge of mine and of my Deputy for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe.

“I am absolutely thrilled that we have been able to secure this substantial funding.

“In addition, I would like to thank West Yorkshire Police, the local authorities and women and girl groups for all their work on the bids in conjunction with my office. I look forward to working together to deliver them.”

Anyone who feels unsafe in a public space can report it on StreetSafe. StreetSafe is an online mapping tool that allows people to flag areas where they don’t feel safe and say why.