The Bath BID have been part of a successful bid for Home Office Safer Street funding, securing £328,152.02 to be used across different projects in Bath & North East Somerset.
Some of the funding will help finance the launch of the Bath BID ‘safe bus’, an initiative that will provide a safe space for vulnerable people late at night.
The safe bus aims to help reduce anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, and other criminal behaviour in the city centre, whilst also supporting emergency services to reduce calls on A&E and demand on the police.
Staffed by medical, security and volunteer teams, the safe bus will provide ‘first response’ help to the community, including visitors, students, residents and female members of the street community.
More people are coming into the centre to enjoy Bath’s nightlife than in 2019. This uptick in night-time economy footfall means that more support is needed to help people feel safe and secure when enjoying a night out.
The funding will also support projects to improve street lighting, CCTV provisions, policing and youth outreach.
Allison Herbert, Chief Executive of the Bath BID said:
‘This funding will go a long way in improving feelings of safety for everyone within the community at night-time and will enable us to work with partners to improve the ‘Safe Night Out’ offering in Bath city centre. We are thankful for the work and support of Avon & Somerset Police and Bath & North East Somerset Council in the bid process and are very much looking forward to seeing all of the projects implemented.’
