Council to step up investment in safer communities

Plans to further strengthen Wolverhampton's response to anti-social behaviour and provide long-term investment in early intervention and prevention programmes for young people are set to be considered by Cabinet this week.

If approved, the £1.2m package of measures would see the City of Wolverhampton Council invest in a new approach combining prevention, intervention and enforcement to make communities safer, improve perceptions of safety, and tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.

Cabinet will be asked to consider three recommendations when it meets on Wednesday (4 November, 2026).

The first would be to approve funding to support the restructuring of Community Safety services, provide a sustainable budget for youth intervention and prevention programmes, and continue the successful Safer Nights programme, including the Safe Haven, Night Guardians and other initiatives designed to ensure people have a great night out in Wolverhampton.

Cabinet is also asked to approve proposals to establish a dedicated team of Community Safety Enforcement Officers. These would provide a consistent presence on local high streets and in the city centre to help tackle anti-social behaviour in public places and enforce Public Space Protection Orders across Wolverhampton. They woulld work alongside West Midlands Police to educate, engage with and, as a last resort, take action against those responsible for causing nuisance and disorder.

The third recommendation is to bring the city's Public Place and tenure neutral anti-social behaviour service back under direct council control, enabling it to make fuller use of anti-social behaviour powers available to local authorities, including new powers being introduced through national legislation. These powers are not available to Wolverhampton Homes, which currently manages this aspect of the service. All anti-social behaviour relating to Wolverhampton Homes properties and estates will continue to be delivered by the housing provider.

The report due to be presented to Cabinet this week highlights the success of the various prevention and intervention activities already taking place across the city, including Yo! Rise pilot projects, the Your Spaces activity programme and outreach work at Bentley Bridge Retail Park, all of which are delivered in partnership with voluntary and community sector organisations.

They are helping bring about a reduction in anti-social behaviour and reducing the likelihood of young people getting involved in violent and nuisance behaviours by engaging them in positive activities and offering them support and mentoring before problems escalate.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the council's commitment to tackling the causes of anti-social behaviour through early intervention and prevention activities, while ensuring appropriate enforcement action is available where needed.

Meanwhile, work delivered through the Safer Nights programme is helping improve safety, and perceptions of safety, in Wolverhampton city centre. Extended opening hours at the Safe Haven, where trained volunteers provide support to people who are unwell, vulnerable or need help getting home safely, together with Night Guardian patrols, enhanced CCTV monitoring and taxi marshalling, have all contributed to creating a safer and more welcoming night-time environment.

The new proposals are designed to build on this success by combining support, prevention and early intervention with stronger enforcement powers where required.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "Anti-social behaviour remains one of the issues residents tell us concerns them most.

“These proposals represent a significant investment in making Wolverhampton's communities safer by combining prevention, intervention and enforcement in a way that addresses the root causes of anti-social behaviour, while also taking robust action against those who cause persistent nuisance and disorder.

"We know that early intervention works, which is why we want to provide long-term support for programmes that help young people make positive choices and reach their full potential. At the same time, we want to ensure we have the right tools, powers and people in place to respond quickly and effectively when anti-social behaviour does occur.

"This approach will provide a more visible presence in our communities and strengthen our partnership working with the police and other agencies. It will support residents and businesses and help ensure Wolverhampton remains a safe, welcoming and vibrant place to live, work and visit."