Street marshals are returning to the streets of St Ives for 10 weeks this summer as part of a package of measures to help tackle anti-social behaviour around town.
The marshals will be jointly funded by St Ives BID (Business Improvement District) and the town council.
In addition, there will be more security cameras for the Memorial Gardens, in addition to other cameras in parks and ‘hotspot’ areas. These are being paid for with with funding from the office of the police and crime commissioner. Town centre gardens will be locked up late evening.
There will be additional support for extra organised activities for children and young people.
“St Ives is now a hot spot for anti-social behaviour in west Cornwall,” said St Ives Mayor, Andrew Mitchell. “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.”
BID manager Sarah Hooper added: “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.”
