PFCC announces £101k Safer Streets funding to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in Southend
A locally designed project to improve community safety in Southend is set to go live after securing £101,129 in Local Safer Streets funding from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex.
The Southend Community Safety Partnership Reducing Reoffending / Retail Crime Pilot is a one‑year initiative aimed at tackling rising shop theft and antisocial behaviour in the city centre, much of which is linked to entrenched Class A drug dependency.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, said:
“Drug misuse and the pattern of offending linked to it negatively impact local communities. If we do not treat drug dependency, the knock-on impact is the type of challenge Southend is currently experiencing.
“I am therefore delighted to allocate £101,129 of Local Safer Streets funding to tackle shoplifting in Southend and, crucially, address the root causes that drive repeat offending, including drug addiction.
“Finding effective ways to reduce shoplifting is a key priority within the current Police and Crime Plan, and this pilot will help us understand what works.”
Southend City Council will provide match funding of £25,235 towards the project.
Cllr Martin Terry, Southend Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, said:
“This funding is very welcome and will help us tackle the small number of prolific offenders who cause a disproportionate impact in our city centre. By combining enforcement with fast access to treatment and support, this pilot gives us a real chance to reduce repeat offending and improve safety for residents and businesses.”
Modelled on Birmingham’s award‑winning Offender to Rehab (O2R) programme, the pilot takes a multi‑agency approach focused on prolific, addiction‑driven shoplifters. It combines enforcement with rapid access to evidence‑based treatment and support to help break the cycle of offending.
The project will target a small cohort of repeat offenders through early identification in custody, tailored pre‑release planning and intensive post‑release case management. Delivery will be led by a dedicated drug and alcohol worker and a full‑time seconded police officer, supported by coordinated multi‑agency working and access to treatment services.
Partners in the Southend Community Safety Partnership include Essex Police, the Probation Service, drug and alcohol services, voluntary sector providers, Southend City Council and wider Community Safety Partnership stakeholders.
This latest allocation brings total PFCC Local Safer Streets investment to more than £6.6 million since 2022, with funding now delivered in every district across Essex.