Street safety officers to be on Preston’s streets as student population arrives

The Street Safety officers will be out in hi-vis primarily on Saturday evenings in the city Pic: Preston City Council

Street safety officers will be on the streets of the city as the city’s student population returns and increases from this week.

Preston City Council secured nearly £150,000 from the government to put the street team in place.

They will operate between 10pm to 4am on Saturday evenings and will provide support with taxi stewarding, directions around the city and help reassure people who are new to the city.

Cabinet member for environment and community safety councillor Freddie Bailey said: “The SSOs in their high visibility uniform are a reassuring presence, especially in Freshers’ weeks, when young people are finding their feet and are perhaps away from home for the first time.

“Along with the investment we continue to make in more CCTV cameras, we are pleased with the steps we are taking to make our streets as safe as possible and reduce criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.”

And councillor Bailey had a message for all the new students arriving in the city.

He said: “As our new cohort of UCLan students, we want you to have a great time, enjoying all that Preston has to offer, but would ask that you help us by behaving responsibly. Please make a note of an emergency contact number on a card to carry with you (as well as your mobile phone), stay with friends and look out for one another and plan how you are going to get home in advance.

“Whilst you are out, don’t drink from glasses or open containers which have been left unattended.

“Finally, if you have any concerns at all, please get in touch with one of our officers. They can be found on the street or door staff can send them a radio message to come and meet you.”

The funding for the new team – which runs between now and Christmas – comes from the government’s Safer Streets Fund and the city council was awarded £146,568 for its proposal to help reduce violence against women, anti-social behaviour and ensuring safety inside and outside licensed premises.