The Town Council and BID have agreed a number of measures to help tackle anti-social behaviour in St Ives over the Summer. With a lack of resources from the police and larger agencies, local organisations are stepping up, to respond to concerns raised by local communities and businesses. Measures include:
- Additional town centre cameras for Memorial Gardens (these join 6 town centre cameras and locally recording cameras in parks and hotspot areas)
- The return of the accredited street marshals service for 10 weeks in the Summer months
- The security lock-up of town centre parks and gardens in the late evening
- Support for extra activities for children and young people
The marshals will be jointly funded by BID and the Town Council and the new cameras by the Town Council with funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Announcing the measures:
the Mayor of St Ives, Councillor Andrew Mitchell said:
St Ives is now a hot spot for anti-social behaviour in West Cornwall. The Council has listened to many local residents and businesses who need help and re-assurance. We know these plans won’t solve things on their own. But we hope taking more action on several fronts means local communities will feel more secure. Neither can we fix this as a small town council and we call on the police and Cornwall Council to follow the evidence and deploy resources in smaller seaside communities under pressure, not just in larger towns.
St Ives BID Manager, Sarah Hooper said:
Street Marshals provide an invaluable service to retailers and businesses during the busy summer months, helping to deter shoplifting, support businesses affected by people leaving without paying, and assist in responding to incidents of anti-social behaviour, including alcohol-related disorder. As visitor numbers increase during the summer, Street Marshals provide an additional visible presence, working alongside the police, local authorities and businesses to help keep the town safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
