Working to make Rugby's streets safe

The community engagement event gives residents the chance to speak with representatives from Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire Police, Rugby First and Warwickshire County Council, and discover the recent steps which have been taken to improve safety.

Saturday's event runs at St Andrew's Gardens, in Church Street, from 11am to 3pm.

The gardens recently underwent a Safer Streets revamp following a successful bid for Government funding by the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The borough council selected the site after it was frequently identified as a location of concern by women and girls who took part in a Safer Streets survey conducted in 2021.

Work carried out in St Andrew's Gardens and the public footpaths leading to the site includes ground-level, solar-powered lights to illuminate the paths, new and improved LED lamppost lighting, and new and improved CCTV.

Saturday's community event starts with a litter pick at 11am, followed by live music and the chance to speak with councillors, council officers, Rugby First town rangers and police officers from Rugby's Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Residents can also find out about the borough council's rollout of the national Enough and Ask Angela campaigns in Rugby, which aim to challenge abusive behaviour towards women and girls, and make revellers feel safe on a night out.

David Burrows, Rugby Borough Council chief officer for regulation and safety, said: "We work with partners such as the police and the county council to carry out community safety initiatives in the borough, with the improvements to lighting and CCTV at St Andrew's Gardens just the latest example.

"Our community safety work relies on the involvement and support of our communities, and Saturday's event offers residents the chance to raise issues of concern and find out how we're working to make Rugby's streets safe."