We help transform Hillfields Square as part of the Safer Streets Fund bid

We’ve helped transformed Hillfields Square in Coventry into a floor-paint play area for children as part of a pledge to improve the community and help families.

The project has seen Hillfields Square given a fun makeover with the addition of a painted bike and scooter track, hopscotch, board games and mazes.

Funding has come from a Safer Streets Fund of £550,000 to help fight crime in the area which we helped to secure alongside West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner and Coventry City Council.

Our Business Ambassador Kelly Lewis said: “The Hillfields Village Square is unfortunately an area that attracts a lot of anti-social behaviour.

“Part of our strategy to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the square is to encourage families to use this space more.

“With so many young families living next to the Hillfields square in our homes we decided to use some of the Safer Streets Fund to give them somewhere to play which is not too far from their home.

“Our Safer Streets Fund partners are thrilled with the new floor paint play area and we are looking forward to the official launch after Christmas.”

PCSO Adam Bettison from the St Michaels Neighbourhood Police Team 3 said: “Around 1,000 residents overlook Hillfields Square and many of them are young families living in the five high-rise tower blocks.

“The nearest park is about half a mile away so we consulted with local people about ways we could help and there was overwhelming support for this painted play area.

“There is a road track where youngsters can ride their bikes and scooters and learn road safety, plus snakes and ladders and other games. Some of the wording is in six different languages to reflect the area’s diversity.

“It’s ready for use now but we’ll officially open it early in the New Year when we’ll also hold a bike and scooter marking session to help youngsters protect their new Christmas gifts.”

West Midlands Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Waheed Saleem, led the bid to secure £550,000 from the Safer Streets Fund.

The money will be spent in Hillfields and will go towards initiatives focused on reducing crime in the area by installing CCTV in the area, increasing the number of lamp posts to improve lighting and supplying residents with home security packs.

Cllr David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, and ward councillor in Hillfields, added: “This is the first stage in a series of improvements to the area. We want the square to be a place that the community can enjoy. By giving it a makeover, we hope that children and young people who helped suggest ideas for the artwork will be encouraged to play and meet outside.

“I’m really looking forward to other schemes being rolled out in the coming months as part of the Safer Streets Fund that benefit residents and have a positive impact on the quality of life in the area.”

We recently distributed a leaflet to the 740 homes we own and manage in Hillfields to inform customers of the work happening as part of the Safer Streets Fund project.

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