Safer Streets for Christmas Shopping and Revellers

Linda Fabiani MSP has welcomed the news that South Lanarkshire Council is to receive funding from the Scottish Government to help ensure that people going out during the festive season can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

The “Safer Streets” funding of £660,000 is to be divided between all 32 local authorities with £26,000 going to South Lanarkshire to fund community safety initiatives to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Speaking after the announcement was made by the Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing, Ms Fabiani said:

“Christmas is a fun time of year but it is also a time of excess when some of us will go a bit over board with our indulgences so it is only right that we do what we can to protect people, when they go shopping or go out to socialise, to ensure that they can do so free from the threat of aggressive or antisocial behaviour.

“Throughout Lanarkshire this funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that includes high profile policing in town centres, taxi marshalling, road policing, radio/CCTV public space links, media campaign and publicity material, targeting off sales premises, public survey and public reassurance, portaloos and a youth event.

“We are working to make our streets safer and more enjoyable places to be and emphasising that our public areas belong to all of us and should not be abused by a minority.

“This initiative is a good demonstration of the partnership between the Scottish Government and Local Government that has been established since the SNP came to power. Together we are working to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour through initiatives such as this.”