People feeling unsafe in a town centre can now contact the emergency services at the touch of a button.

A call point has been installed near the clock tower in Sheerness High Street which connects directly to Swale council’s CCTV control centre.

Operators can then provide immediate assistance - whether it’s offering reassurance, directing emergency services, or monitoring the situation via the in-built call point camera or nearby CCTV cameras which have a view of the entire high street.

The call point has been installed on a trial basis by the council as part of its ongoing Safer Streets project, which aims to enhance safety and security in the area.

lt is also installing infrastructure so that more businesses are covered by the Swale Link scheme, which gives those that sign up access to a radio that allows them to speak directly to the control centre and police.

The Safer Streets project has previously seen extra CCTV cameras installed in Sheerness and Sittingbourne, uniformed marshals deployed in town centres during school holidays, improved lighting in open spaces such as at the Beachfields play area and the funding of youth programmes.

It has also funded ‘active bystander’ training which helps people to intervene when they see harmful behaviour unfold, workshops on topics such as knife crime and antisocial behaviour at secondary school and handouts of anti-spiking devices and personal alarms.

The campaign is being funded by the government’s Safer Streets Fund. In October 2023 the council successfully bid for a £320,000 grant to be paid over two years.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chairman of Swale council’s community and leisure committee, said: “We have been working hard to tackle the issues of antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls through active intervention.

“This has seen marshals patrolling the streets, and deterrents like additional cameras and improved lighting around the towns.

“We have also tried to change behaviours that lead to crime and antisocial behaviour, with events at schools and training to give people the skills to intervene in potentially situations.

“This emergency call point will help people get help quickly thanks to our CCTV control centre.

“We want people to know that if they need help, we are just a button press away.”

Cllr Elliott Jayes, chairman of the community and leisure committee, said: “The funding for the Safer Streets project that ultimately comes from the government will unfortunately be coming to an end next year.

“We have tried to make sure that the work we’ve done will keep making an impact when the money is gone, with things like additional cameras, and a strong emphasis on education and training.

“The Safer Streets project has made a positive impact, but we know that to build on this we need to do more. People need to feel proud of where they live and, together, condemn all crime and violence, especially towards women and girls.

“We will keep looking for other ways to get the resources and investment we need to keep working with partners like the police, to help keep local people safe.”

Swale Chief Insp Vanessa Foster welcomed the installation of the new call point, adding: “People can use this service to gain immediate assistance if they need it when in the High Street, and if the police are required, then the CCTV controllers will alert Kent Police.

“Please remember to always dial 999 in an emergency.”