Two in three women feel unsafe in Preston at night, survey finds

CCTV has been extended to two of the city’s parks, while another is in line for a camera rollout.

Improvements to lighting are also being made with additional lights being placed on main streets in the city centre.

Street safety patrols carried out by council staff charged with helping tackle anti-social behaviour – often jointly undertaken with Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team – target potential problem spots, while regular checks are made on licensed premises.

The city centre has, since last year, also been covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The council’s cabinet member for communities and social justice, Peter Kelly, said the commissioner’s survey had “laid bare some staggering statistics” and highlighted “how important it is that we make our city safe for everyone”.

He added: “The council is involved in some fantastic collaborative work across the city to tackle some of the key issues that impact on the safety of our residents.”

The LDRS approached the PCC for further comment on the survey results.