City centre safety fears prompt council action

Residents in Coventry are not visiting the centre of the city over concerns about anti-social behaviour, the city council said.

Hundreds of people have told the authority in a survey they do not go to the area regularly at night because they "don't feel safe".

Plans to create a "safe" night out in the centre could be signed off next week by the body, according to a council report.

The new scheme, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour, was created by a group including staff from the police force, fire service, health workers and charities.

Starting from April, the latest plan will set out the priorities of this partnership for the next three years.

Nearly 700 city residents took part in the council survey on crime concerns last year.

More than 60% generally said they felt safe in Coventry during the day but not after dark.

But just over half of those taking part said they did not regularly go to the city centre even during the day and 83% said they did not go there at night.

In workshops set up around the new safety plan, officials working with the council said city centre issues were the city's biggest priority and needed more work.

The top three main issues were begging, retail theft and street drinking, they added.

Members of the ruling Labour group's cabinet are expected to endorse the plan on Tuesday before it goes before the full council on 25 March.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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