Greater Manchester has secured £549,744 from the ‘Safer Streets’ fund to launch a series of schemes aimed at helping women and girls feel safer when out and about across the region.
The securing of the funding follows the launch of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Gender-Based Violence Strategy last month – which GMCA says outlines how it and its partners will tackle the many forms of gender-based violence through a whole-system approach over the next 10 years.
The strategy was launched after extensive consultation and engagement with individuals, professionals, community groups, and charities – including those that support victims.
During the consultation, street harassment and harassment on and around public transport, were some of the most frequently-mentioned issues raised by women and girls, who said they wanted to feel safer and know who to contact if they did feel unsafe.
The ‘Safer Streets’ fund was launched by the Home Office in 2020 and allows Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities across the UK to apply for funding for crime prevention plans.
The securing of the funding follows the launch of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Gender-Based Violence Strategy last month / Credit: Pxfuel
GMCA says Greater Manchester’s successful funding bid – which was submitted alongside Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Oldham Council – will be used to “deploy and test several interventions” on the tram network and at key stops to respond to the issues raised by women and girls.
If proved successful, the schemes could be rolled at more widely – including beyond transport.
The funding will cover pilot interventions including:
A reporting campaign led by TfGM to educate passengers on reporting mechanisms and to increase reporting of incidents via the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Live Chat System.
Working with women and girls to understand what training and campaigns they would like to see and developing a bespoke package to deliver to boys and men.
The presence of trusted adults and trained staff to increase security to prevent serious incidents, as well as test more informal approaches to educate and engage people and increase safety and reporting.
A safe hub and safe places scheme, which will enable increased security to prevent serious incidents using a detached youth team and Street Angels to educate and engage people and increase safety and reporting.
Integration and upgrades to the CCTV system in key locations so that images can be instantly shared between TfGM and council systems, increasing facial recognition and coverage, and better enabling tracking of routes to car parks.
570 staff – including Customer Service Representatives, TravelSafe officers and tram drivers – will be trained to spot and appropriately respond to incidents and to encourage increased reporting.
A poster campaign displayed across the tram network designed by students on acceptable/unacceptable behaviours such as catcalling.
The funding will be used to “deploy and test several interventions” on the tram network across Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM
These schemes will be trialled, and their success measured, with the intention of “sustaining and expanding successful interventions” across Greater Manchester, GMCA assures.
Speaking on the securing of funding, Bev Hughes – Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire – said: “GMCA has worked with partners to develop a long-term strategy to end gender-based violence and ensure Greater Manchester can be one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old.
“The Safer Streets fund pilot schemes are just the first steps in our 10-year journey to enhance the safety of women and girls, while preventing gender-based violence from happening in the first place and challenging the attitudes and inequalities that enable it.”
Find more about Greater Manchester’s Gender-Based Violence Strategyhere.
Featured Image – Pxfuel
News
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
The Manc -
13th October 2021 
