Torbay MP demands action on anti-social behaviour blight

Torbay MP Steve Darling is appealing to Government ministers to speed up funding to tackle Torquay town centre's antisocial behavior problems.

Liberal Democrats say ASB around the Castle Circus has 'blighted' the town centre for many years. 

They say the Long Term Plans for Towns funding is a significant opportunity to tackle this. The pot of £20million is to be spent over 10 years to support a number of projects across Torquay. However the core funding is not set to arrive with Torbay Council until 2026. 

That is why Mr Darling has written to Alex Norris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Democracy and Local Growth, to confirm that the government would be comfortable with pre-spending – something that was highlighted at his last meeting with the minister.  

This move, Mr Darling believes, could build on the momentum of ongoing community safety and regeneration projects aimed at tackling ASB and supporting vulnerable individuals. 

The MP, who has worked closely with local stakeholders on the delivery of the Safer Streets initiative, SAYS: "This funding is a golden opportunity to bring about lasting improvements in Torquay."  he is keen to ensure that the government’s commitment is maximized as soon as possible. 

The Safer Streets initiative, which has been ongoing since 2022, has already made some progress. Key improvements have included the installation of 13 new CCTV cameras, upgraded street lighting, and a range of community-led initiatives designed to reduce ASB and improve quality of life in local neighbourhoods. 

"Our Safer Streets program has already shown tremendous success, and I want to ensure that we can continue this work without delay," said Mr Darling.

"The Long Term Plan for Towns is an important opportunity to address the unique challenges in Torquay, and I’m pushing to make sure that we can hit the ground running to deliver real, lasting change." 

The Lib Dems say that while Torquay overall remains a safe area,  parts of the town continue to face significant challenges due to high levels of deprivation. The success of the Safer Streets initiative provides a foundation to build upon, and Mr Darling's request to pre-spend funds is designed to ensure that work can continue and expand without any unnecessary delays. 

"We’ve already seen the positive impact of the Safer Streets initiative, and with additional resources, we can continue to empower local communities, support vulnerable individuals, and make Torbay a safer, more welcoming place for everyone," he said.