New funding is set to make people feel safer on a night out in Mansfield.

High definition CCTV cameras, state-of-the-art refuge point cameras, and street guardians are all to be introduced as well as further youth activities to try to combat anti-social behaviour.

Street guardians will be trained to spot the signs of, and prevent, violence against women and girls in the town centre, thanks to the Safer Streets initiative.

The scheme will be delivered in partnership with St John Ambulance to set up a project similar to Operation Vigilant, which began in Dorset.

This saw uniformed and plain clothed officers patrolling outside night-time venues. The guardians, who will have first aid training, will wear high-visibility uniform, and also hand out water.

The scheme would also look to reinvigorate the Ask For Angela campaign with renewed advertising and promotional material, allowing women who feel unsafe to discretely approach venue staff and ask for Angela to be given help.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, Caroline Henry, secured £1m of Home Office funding via the Safer Streets fund to tackle anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood crime, and violence against women and girls.

More than £130,000 will be spent in Mansfield town centre and over £333,000 across the North Nottinghamshire Community Safety Partnership area, which also includes Sutton.

Caroline said: “Mansfield is the second biggest population centre in the county and the biggest town centre. It has a fantastic night-time economy, second only to Nottingham city, and these initiatives will benefit all those who visit the town.

“Mansfield has become even safer in recent years thanks to the huge investment in tackling anti-social behaviour locally, and the new investment in the town centre will make a huge difference.

“The new addition of CCTV and innovative refuge point cameras will be a game-changer in tackling anti-social behaviour in the town centre, with the guardians giving that extra level of high-visibility patrols for people on a night out. They will be a welcome addition to the existing police presence in the night time economy.”

The area had previously benefitted from a £375,000 programme of investment in public space security in Warsop. This saw the implementation of new CCTV refuge points and automatic number plate recognition cameras, new street lighting, a network of Safe Space shops, and community clean-up days.

Combined with the continuing work of Nottinghamshire Police and Mansfield District Council, this saw a reduction of 46% in anti-social behaviour and a 33% drop in vehicle crime in the 12 months from October 2022, when the project started, compared to the previous three-year average.

Insp Kylie Davies, district commander for Mansfield, added: “When people come to Mansfield to enjoy a night out it is our job to keep them safe.

“Our work in this area has already benefited from significant Safer Streets funding in the town centre area and will be further assisted by the work of local volunteers, businesses, and partners to create a night-time economy that is beneficial for everyone.”

Mansfield District Council’s portfolio holder for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, Coun Angie Jackson said they wanted everyone entering the town centre to feel safe.

“The new guardianship scheme will be a crucial part of keeping visitors safe in Mansfield and will enhance the fantastic partnership work already in place with the police and pastors,” she added.

“These high-visibility and reassuring patrols work will also complement the already existing expansive CCTV network of cameras across town, and the soon-to-come refuge point cameras, giving people instant access to emergency help.”