BLOG: Creating and cultivating safer town centres
27.01.26 - Merseyside
Earlier this month, Merseyside was proud to take centre stage as we welcomed delegates from across the country for the very first national Safer Town Centres Conference.
Hosting policing leaders, government, academics and community safety experts at the Royal Liver Building was about showing what strong local policing can achieve through partnership and community trust.
Safety shouldn’t be a privilege; it’s a right, that starts in our town centres, the beating heart of our communities.
They’re places to work, shop, socialise and call home.
When people don’t feel safe, businesses suffer, confidence drops and people feel fear or isolation.
It’s about the shop worker assaulted for doing their job. The woman who feels unsafe walking home at night. The young person drawn into crime because they see no better options.
That’s why neighbourhood policing matters.
Public trust is built on visibility and responsiveness, on officers who know their communities.
The Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee gives us clear guidelines, but the delivery happens locally.
Here in Merseyside, we shared evidence of what that looks like.
From our Safer Summer Streets campaign which saw a 450% increase in community intelligence and the seizure of 163 illegal bikes in one month, to Operation Ghost in Liverpool’s night-time economy, where thefts fell by 60%.
We’re building on that momentum through our Winter of Action, with targeted patrols, licensing checks and a strong focus on tackling retail crime and violence against women and girls.
By bringing national voices together, we’ve strengthened our shared determination to build safer, more vibrant town centres across the country.
But our focus remains local, ensuring every town centre in Merseyside is a place people feel proud to live, work and spend time.