Huge funding boost to tackle fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour in Wigan

Nearly £750,000 is being earmarked to make streets safer and tackle environmental crimes like fly-tipping in Wigan. The investment for the Woodcock Drive area of Platt Bridge and Scholes Village has come following a successful bid to the Government's Safer Streets Fund.

The measures include a £150,000 funding pot to support community group projects beneficial to the area, as well as tackling fly tipping, improvements to CCTV and widening the reach of the council’s Safety of Women at night scheme. The council and its partners will deliver these changes by engaging directly with the community "in a meaningful and sustainable way", including working closer with social housing estates, particularly in relation to environmental issues.

Salford University is also a key partner in the bid and will be helping with new approaches to community empowerment and developing community researcher roles to ensure the work is influenced by and embedded in the local community. Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for police, crime and civil contingencies, said: “We are absolutely committed to tackling anti-social behaviour across our borough. To secure this funding is a huge step and it will enable us to bring about real and visible change for residents.

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“This wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution made by the Place and Community Safety Partnership and local councillors. We want residents to see that we are taking their concerns extremely seriously and are committed to working with them to ensure they feel safe and secure in the place they live.”

During the council’s Big Listening Festival last year, more than 1,000 residents expressed their