NEARLY £1 million will be spent on making Swindon's streets safer for women and girls.

The funding will pay for new street lighting and CCTV cameras in a bid to tackle the issue "head-on and at all levels".

The town centre is one of three areas in Swindon where the money will be spent, alongside the Railway Village and the Rodbourne area.

Measures expected to be introduced in the coming months include improved street lighting and the installation of new CCTV cameras in places like the notorious Bristol Street underpass.

In October last year, Swindon Borough Council, supported by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, announced it would benefit from £550,000 of funding to increase the safety of public spaces for all. The news came after a successful bid to the Government’s Safer Streets scheme.

This round of funding was in addition to £432,000 of Safer Streets funding, previously awarded to the OPCC with support from the council, with a focus on tackling violent and acquisitive crime, such as burglary.

Since the funding was awarded last year, the two authorities have been working to put together a plan of measures they hope to introduce across Swindon.

Last week, deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Russell Holland and councillor Cathy Martyn, the cabinet member for housing and public safety, met to discuss the plans.

Mr Holland and coun Martyn were also taken through the town centre by members of the council's Community Safety Team, as well as Sgt Richard Fay from the Swindon Community Policing Team, and shown how the Safer Streets funding would be used.

Toolkits for professionals and workplaces, training for those working with the street community, a community support programme and guidance for pubs and nightclubs are also in the works. Training packages and mentoring schemes are also being developed for school and college students, as well as support systems for women and girls who have been impacted by sexual harassment.

It is hoped these sessions will raise awareness of the impact on victims and how support can be provided, as well as providing the opportunity to discuss the importance of reporting concerns and incidents, and the responsibility of everyone to be aware of these type of behaviours.

Mr Holland said: "This money will enable us to make nights out safer by focusing on the journey from home, into town and back again. We recognise the fear and concerns some women have in making these trips. Key areas for this work will focus on communications, engagement, physical improvements, guardianship and transport."

Coun Martyn added: “A lot of work is going on to begin introducing measures across the town that are proven to cut crime, and which will help residents feel safe when out and about in Swindon.

“Our walk was an excellent opportunity to review some of the planned measures for the town centre, including the installation of additional CCTV and lighting, as well as an opportunity to discuss some of the additional educational and behavioural measures taking place outside of the town centre, which could really make a difference in our community."