CONSERVATIVE councillors have called for a £70,000 package to protect women's safety in the night-time economy as part of the council's budget.
The amendment proposed by Brighton and Hove Tory councillors would fund CCTV, lighting, drink spiking test kits to licensed venues, and expand popular services such as taxi marshals and beach buggies.
Communities spokeswoman for the local party Dee Simson said the proposals are needed after figures revealed that central Brighton was one of the worst areas for reported crime in England and Wales, with more than 100 spiking incidents reported in the first ten months of last year.
She said Brighton was starting to get a reputation as being unsafe for women after dark and that there were many steps the council should be taking now to improve the situation.
Cllr Simson said: "We have seen worrying statistics during the past year about how far Brighton is lagging behind the rest of the country in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the public domain and many women are now intimidated by how run down and dangerous areas of central Brighton have become.
"Many women feel that central Brighton is not a safe environment on a night out and the council needs to act now to bring itself up to standard.
"There is a feeling that the council has not made safety for women in the night-time economy a priority in its draft budget and many women would like to see more done.
"These measures are needed to turn around the issue and make sure Brighton does not continue to gain a reputation for being unsafe for women."
Funding for the proposals would come from capital investment, as well as replacing a recurrent funding allocation to planning for investment to support planning reforms.
Conservative finance spokesman Joe Miller said that Brighton and Hove residents want to see money go towards making a difference to life in the city, rather than on bureaucracy and red tape.
He said: "Budgets are about priorities and we need to ensure that the council's resources are going where they are needed most in the city.
"Rather than spend money on more bureaucracy, red tape and grand visions on international matters that residents will not see any benefit from, the city wants to see expenditure on practical measures where it will make a difference to residents on the ground.
"This package of measures will provide tangible benefits to safety in the city for women and we encourage all councillors to get behind this amendment."
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel