Extra funding is being organised for a new street CCTV system in part of Newark town centre after two sexual assaults.
The Remembrance Gardens area at St Mary’s Church has already undergone some safety developments including better lighting.
But CCTV was also planned after street drinking and antisocial behaviour near the grounds and a sexual assault in 2021.
A report of a further serious sexual assault followed in December 2023, in an alleyway off the gardens.
Lighting that surrounds the area in North Church Walk, Church Walk and The Mount has already been upgraded but a council report says “this appears to have made the gardens feel darker”.
The council report on the issue reads: “Interim steps have been taken to install the CCTV camera on a neighbouring property as a temporary measure until the permanent column can be installed to ensure some coverage is provided to the area.”
With extra funding of £33,000 the report seeks to release from council reserves, the council will have a total budget of £141,000 for the project.
Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations, said: “There is a good probability that further underspends will become available to replenish the reserve.
“Making the £33,000 available now allows us to get on with the work, it’s a crime and ASB hotspot, so we want to get this over the line- this has been going on too long.”
The report by the council adds: “Additional linked works to this scheme will also include the gating off and provision of suitable railings to an area of the gardens that at present has free access and allows people to access a screened area of the gardens- this area cannot be easily viewed by those in the gardens or by the CCTV sight lines.”
The gardens are leased to the council by the church for a 50-year period, with them being responsible for their maintenance.
The extra funding is due to come into force tomorrow (August 20).
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