Making Hailsham A Safer Place To Live, Work & Visit

Initial results from a government-funded scheme to reduce crime in Hailsham, Sussex, are ‘encouraging’, says a Conservative councillor who represents the town. 

The Safer Streets funding has allowed for an increased police presence in the town over the last six months; the installation of upgraded digital cameras to future-proof the town’s CCTV camera system; and a large number of SelectaDNA kits, permitting property owners to invisibly mark their property. The kits are also being given to vehicle owners to reduce car crime and make it easier to identify and prosecute offenders.

The Safer Streets programme has already captured fly-tippers, untaxed and uninsured vehicles, and helped dozens of shopkeepers and homeowners to improve security.
Hailsham was suffering from above-average levels of neighbourhood crime, so Wealden council worked hard to secure a £300,000 grant to tackle the problems.

The bid was co-ordinated by Conservative councillor Philip Lunn, Wealden's cabinet member for Community and Public Health. He said: "This funding, provided by the Government, will help us to target one area where we believe a carefully thought-through strategy will make it much more difficult for criminals in the future.”

“A detailed evaluation of the whole project will be taking place in due course, but the initial results are encouraging,” said Councillor Gerard Fox.