£2.4m Middlesbrough project to tackle town centre crime

Mayor Ben Houchen (second from left) said the money would be used to crack down on "yob behaviour"

More than £2.3m has been pledged by local authorities to make people feel safer in a town centre.

The plan to tackle anti-social behaviour in Middlesbrough will see money spent on dedicated police community support officers (PCSOs), neighbourhood safety wardens and increased monitoring of CCTV.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the project would make a "visible difference" in the town and would crack down on crime and "yob behaviour".

"This action will deliver stronger enforcement, better prevention and targeted support - and it will play a key role in unlocking future investment and opportunity for the town," he said.

The project will be funded by £1.3m from the Tees Valley Investment Zone, led by the mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority, along with £140,000 from Middlesbrough Council, and £937,000 of match funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The scheme will also see Middlesbrough Safe Haven's opening hours extended and more support provided for those facing domestic abuse, homelessness or substance abuse.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said the funding would see "more boots on the ground" to deter "troublemakers".

Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said residents regularly shared concerns with him about anti-social behaviour, retail crime and drug use in the town.

"This isn't right - everyone should be able to visit local leisure spaces without feeling fearful or worried about their safety," he said.

"This project is an excellent example of collaboration between organisations to respond to community concerns, by working together to make our town centres safer."

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