Stoke-on-Trent City Council has launched a new initiative to make town centres safer across the city. 

The Designing Out Crime programme, funded by the Home Office Levelling Up Fund, aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by improving the design and management of public spaces. 

The council said: "It takes a proactive approach to community safety. 

"Rather than reacting after incidents occur, the council is working with partners to make places less attractive to offenders and more welcoming for residents, businesses and visitors. 

"The work is part of the city council's drive to encourage more footfall to the high street by creating family-friendly streets, including stepping up support for rough sleepers and increasing the capacity of the rough sleeper team." 

The project has already began to make improvements in Tunstall by installing new CCTV cameras, fencing and secure doors to enhance safety and protect the Memorial Garden and Pavilion. 

The Palace Court building is also being improved through a partnership between residents, property owners and the maintenance team. 

The council explained that Stoke town centre has also benefited, with a new crash barrier installed close to the market and library and upgraded lighting to improve visibility and safety. 

Crash barriers have been installed on South Wolfe Street in Stoke (image via Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

The programme aims to target areas where improvements will have the biggest effect to help tackle anti-social behaviour directly while helping reduce the fear of crime. 

A range of measures are being introduced across key sites, including: 

• Additional CCTV to deter offenders, support investigations, and reassure residents. 
• New gating to close off alleyways and access points where loitering, burglary, or nuisance behaviour has been reported. 
• Fencing and barriers to prevent unauthorised access to vulnerable spaces. 
• Environmental improvements such as removing graffiti, maintaining green spaces, and installing murals and signage to promote positive community use. 
• Improved lighting to reduce hiding places and increase confidence when moving around at night. 
• Natural surveillance measures designed to encourage footfall and reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour and crime. 

 The council plans to begin work in Longton in November when teams will rebuild walls along Baths Passage leading to the bus station in collaboration with Tesco. 

The area will feature new artwork designed with the local community to celebrate Longton's identity and provide a warm welcome to residents and visitors. 

 Cllr Duncan Walker, cabinet member for safer and resilient communities at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Designing Out Crime is about creating spaces where people feel safe, welcome, and proud of their neighbourhoods. 

"By making small but effective environmental changes, we can help prevent issues before they occur and strengthen the sense of community across our city. 

 "We're listening to residents and working to make our town centres more welcoming and family-friendly. 

"If 2025 has shown us anything, it's that community still means a lot to our residents, and in making the streets safer and stepping up support for those who need it, we can really see that Stokie Pride coming back. 

"From lining the streets in their thousands, to attending independent community events, we are One Stoke-on-Trent."