To qualify, the businesses attended vulnerability and safeguarding training sessions, had CCTV cameras fitted to their premises and placed ‘safe place’ signs in their windows. It is expected that these businesses will act as a haven for anyone requiring support, advice and assistance from anti-social or criminal behaviour.

The event marked the culmination of six months of partnership work from the council’s Community Safety Team, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and Nottinghamshire Police. Since October 2021 the council and partners have delivered a wide range of projects and safety improvements around Sutton town centre and the New Cross area with the £550,000 Safer Streets Fund.

Improved street lighting and high-definition CCTV cameras, including the world first Refuge Cameras, have been installed on Outram Street and Portland Square. Equation has delivered sessions about healthy relationships and respect to school children in Sutton, and patrols by the police and Community Protection Officers have been increased.

Coun Helen-Ann Smith, cabinet member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction, said: “It was a pleasure to be joined by all the businesses in Sutton and Stanton Hill so we could show our appreciation to them for their enthusiasm and commitment to the Safer Streets scheme. Without their support, we couldn’t have implemented out so many successful projects to make Sutton a safer place.

“The Safer Streets initiative has been fantastic, and our partnership working has been recognised by the Home Office. Many of the new projects that we put in place are now being rolled out across the county. We will soon be submitting our bid for the next round of funding which, if successful, would support similar projects in another area of Ashfield.”

Superintendent Kevin Broadhead, who leads on neighbourhood policing in Nottinghamshire, said: “When it comes to reducing crime, lots of little things can make a very big difference to the safely of communities. For every business that has benefited from additional training or targeting hardening measures like CCTV, a potential opportunity for criminals is taken away.

“This kind of work has been going on for a while but the Safer Streets initiative and the very significant sums of money that has come with it has really taken it to new level and allowed us to do things that would not previously have been possible. It really is an effective and exciting initiative and I am delighted to help celebrate its success.”