Stephen Metcalfe MP to launch ‘Safer Streets’ Initiative to end crime vulnerability in Pitsea Town Centre

29 Aug Stephen Metcalfe MP to launch ‘Safer Streets’ Initiative to end crime vulnerability in Pitsea Town Centre

Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock, will this week be launching his ‘Safer Streets’ initiative in Pitsea Town Centre on Monday 3rd September.

Roger Hirst, Essex Police Crime Commissioner, Councillors Craig Rimmer and Luke MacKenzie and Simon Johnson from the Heart of Pitsea Group are set to join Stephen to launch this initiative aimed at tackling the vulnerability crime can cause.

The initiative: The ‘Safer Streets’ Project will focus on the Pitsea Shopping Centre and the residents on estates surrounding it.

·         Local shops and businesses have signed up to the project and will soon be displaying signs in their windows to say that they are a ‘safe zone’.

·         The pledge is that if a company or shop is displaying a sticker then anyone feeling vulnerable or threatened in the area can enter the building and help will be called for them.

·         Basildon Police have pledged to support the businesses and will respond to any calls for help that are received.

150 new visible officers have already been confirmed by Essex Police Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and will start to appear on the beat from September this year. Basildon and Thurrock policing districts will be assigned 20% of these 150 new officers, with more deployable at short notice.