MULTIPLE issues which are 'ruining' the hard work of volunteers along the canal area in Stroud have been raised by the MP in parliament. 

Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie raised Safer Streets funding in parliament this week after she, the police and crime commissioner and councils applied for money to combat anti-social behaviour.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Ms Baillie asked the crime and policing minister: “The award-winning Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers have had enough of antisocial behaviour such as graffiti, dog mess and worrying drug paraphernalia everywhere. 

“It is ruining their hard work on the canal network and is putting them at risk.

"Part of our successful approach to trying to tackle it is getting CCTV down the canals. 

"Will my right honourable friend let us know what is happening with the safer streets funding? Police and crime commissioner Chris Nelson and I have made an application, and we are waiting to hear about it.”

In reply Chris Philp said: “A round of safer streets funding was distributed for the current financial year, and we will make an announcement shortly about the following financial year. 

“More money will be available, and it will be up to police and crime commissioners to decide how they spend that money. 

“We will also confirm shortly the roll-out of antisocial behaviour hotspot patrols across the entire country - across all 43 police forces in England and Wales. 

“Where those have been trialled so far—in Essex, Staffordshire, Lancashire and elsewhere—we have seen 30% decreases in ASB. Pretty soon, that will be available in Gloucestershire as well.”

Speaking afterwards Ms Baillie added: “The PCC and I agree that Safer Streets funding should be allocated to tackle anti-social behaviour like that experienced along our canal.

"I look forward to seeing the next round of funding and I will keep working with the PCC to ensure that the canal area benefits.”