Town Watch brings businesses together to improve safety and welcome more people to Gateshead
A Town Watch initiative has launched in Gateshead, bringing businesses, the council and neighbourhood policing teams together to improve safety and promote community cohesion in the town centre.
Town Watch is a community-based programme, like Neighbourhood Watch or Pub Watch, which aims to support people to feel safe while working in or visiting Gateshead Town Centre.
The council and police have worked over the last 12 months to improve safety in the area and are now being joined by businesses to collectively identify problems and co-design solutions as part of the new initiative.
Gateshead's Town Centre Manager, a role funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to improve town centres in selected areas, has brought partners together to ensure Town Watch combines the priorities of businesses and residents.
As Town Centre Manager, Victoria Oxley has engaged with stakeholders to agree priorities for improving perceptions of Gateshead Town Centre. A council survey shared last year found that 78% of respondents didn't feel safe using the town centre and wanted to see action taken on crime and anti-social behaviour. The same view has been shared by businesses, and the town centre has been agreed as the priority area for Project Shield, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
In addition to Town Watch and Project Shield work, Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been put in place, and a growing team of Ambassadors are being recruited to work closely with neighbourhood policing teams to increasing visibility and offer support to everyone in the town centre.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said:"The Town Watch initiative is one of several significant steps being taken to bring people back to our town centre.
"By working in partnership with businesses, we can share intelligence on criminal activity in the area and take action to improve community safety.
"This is absolutely our top priority for Gateshead Town Centre. We're lucky to have a range of businesses on board already, and each Town Watch member is dedicated to increasing footfall by creating a welcoming and friendly town centre for everyone to enjoy.
"Real strides are being taken to make this happen, and I'd like to thank our partners for their continued support on our journey to make the town centre what it should be for residents, workers and visitors."
Marie Harkness, Owner of Hidden Heights hairdresser and creative studios in the Railway Quarter, said: "We're proud to be a partner in the Gateshead Town Watch and to stand alongside local residents, businesses, and community leaders in working toward a safer, more connected community.
"This initiative reflects the power of collaboration and shared responsibility, and we're committed to supporting efforts that strengthen neighbourhood resilience across Gateshead."
Town Watch meets every second Monday of the month. Local businesses in the town centre which are interested in joining Town Watch are invited to contact towncentre@gateshead.gov.uk to find out more about the initiative.
A Town Watch initiative has launched in Gateshead, bringing businesses, the council and neighbourhood policing teams together to improve safety and promote community cohesion in the town centre.
Town Watch is a community-based programme, like Neighbourhood Watch or Pub Watch, which aims to support people to feel safe while working in or visiting Gateshead Town Centre.
The council and police have worked over the last 12 months to improve safety in the area and are now being joined by businesses to collectively identify problems and co-design solutions as part of the new initiative.
Gateshead's Town Centre Manager, a role funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to improve town centres in selected areas, has brought partners together to ensure Town Watch combines the priorities of businesses and residents.
As Town Centre Manager, Victoria Oxley has engaged with stakeholders to agree priorities for improving perceptions of Gateshead Town Centre. A council survey shared last year found that 78% of respondents didn't feel safe using the town centre and wanted to see action taken on crime and anti-social behaviour. The same view has been shared by businesses, and the town centre has been agreed as the priority area for Project Shield, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
In addition to Town Watch and Project Shield work, Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been put in place, and a growing team of Ambassadors are being recruited to work closely with neighbourhood policing teams to increasing visibility and offer support to everyone in the town centre.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said:"The Town Watch initiative is one of several significant steps being taken to bring people back to our town centre.
"By working in partnership with businesses, we can share intelligence on criminal activity in the area and take action to improve community safety.
"This is absolutely our top priority for Gateshead Town Centre. We're lucky to have a range of businesses on board already, and each Town Watch member is dedicated to increasing footfall by creating a welcoming and friendly town centre for everyone to enjoy.
"Real strides are being taken to make this happen, and I'd like to thank our partners for their continued support on our journey to make the town centre what it should be for residents, workers and visitors."
Marie Harkness, Owner of Hidden Heights hairdresser and creative studios in the Railway Quarter, said: "We're proud to be a partner in the Gateshead Town Watch and to stand alongside local residents, businesses, and community leaders in working toward a safer, more connected community.
"This initiative reflects the power of collaboration and shared responsibility, and we're committed to supporting efforts that strengthen neighbourhood resilience across Gateshead."
Town Watch meets every second Monday of the month. Local businesses in the town centre which are interested in joining Town Watch are invited to contact towncentre@gateshead.gov.uk to find out more about the initiative.
