Aims to reduce crime and create lasting change

Senior leaders and partners from across Southampton joined together today to formally launch a new programme that aims to reduce crime and create lasting change in the St. Mary’s area of the city. 

Building a Brighter Future for St. Mary’s focuses on long-term change rather than short‑term fixes and brings together organisations around a single, clear set of priorities shaped by local need.

Representatives from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Southampton City Council and partner agencies gathered at Southampton City College on St. Mary’s Street to set out a shared ambition for St. Mary’s and pledge to work with the local community to make life better for everyone in St Mary’s, demonstrating their commitment to working together to deliver sustained change.

Partners from across the city were each presented with a framed picture of artwork created by pupils at St. Mary’s Primary School, which they will display in their workplace to help raise awareness about the programme and stimulate conversation.

Building a Brighter Future for St. Mary’s commits to working with the community to build on its strengths and, where possible, eradicate risks to community safety. Community partners will be working together to support residents to thrive by building pride, trust and confidence in the neighbourhood, improve learning, skills and job opportunities while reducing crime, antisocial behaviour and harm while protecting and supporting people who are at risk of being exploited.

Keeping streets and public spaces clean and safe while improving housing conditions will also play an important part in building pride in the area.

Following the campaign launch today, a community event will take place at St. Mary’s Fire Station on Wednesday 27 May from 11am. 

In addition to enjoying an action-packed day of fun activities, residents will be able to find out more about the campaign and how they can get involved and will be able to meet community partners.

The Building a Brighter Future Charter will be displayed at this event and all future events across St. Mary’s so residents, business owners and visitors can support the campaign.

Pupils at St. Mary's Primary School created this artwork to mark Builder a Brighter Future – St. Mary’s 

Jillian Kay, Chief Executive of Southampton City Council, said:

“I’m delighted to sign the Building a Brighter Future for St. Mary’s Charter today, as this is our pledge to residents that we will work with them to improve their neighbourhood. This is a long-term commitment that will deliver clear benefits to residents and businesses alike.

A healthier and safer Southampton is one of the priorities in the City Plan and this campaign is one of the ways that we will deliver on this commitment.”

Chief Inspector Chris Douglas, deputy District Commander for Southampton at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, said:

"Those who live and work in St Mary's care deeply for the area and it is vitally important that together, as a partnership, we work to make lasting change for them.

We are already working hard to tackle serious criminality, with increased patrols throughout the day and proactive policing operations.

Our officers are committed to and passionate about carrying out this meaningful work, and we are already seeing how much the community appreciate the action being taken.

Building a Brighter Future is about much more than just enforcement action, and together we can succeed in making St. Mary's a place people feel safe, supported and proud of."

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Alex Rennie said:
“Building a Brighter Future for St. Mary’s is about delivering real results for the people who live and work here. It must retain a clear focus on what matters most, cutting crime, protecting children from exploitation, and making the streets safer.

Policing will play a key role. That means targeted action against drug supply, serious violence and anti-social behaviour, alongside visible patrols that disrupt criminal activity and provide reassurance to the community.

Enforcement alone however will not deliver lasting change. This programme is about working with the community, listening to residents, and tackling the causes of crime as well as its consequences.

The Commissioner and I will do everything we can to support the programme to ensure St. Mary’s has a safer, stronger future.”