SUSSEX has been awarded £300,000 to fund schemes focused on preventing violence against women and girls in public spaces at night.

They money, from the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night fund, will be used to extra police patrols at night-time, with branded vehicles, aimed at deterring violence and providing a clear contact point for women.

Training will also be provided to night-time economy business such as bars and nightclubs on how they can help to reduce risk and create safe spaces.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said she is “dedicated” to improving safety and risk of violence for women and girls in the county.

She said: “I am delighted that my office has been successful in securing this additional funding to help prevent violence against women and girls and provide support to those who do experience it.

“The additional police patrols and training for business will complement my new Safe Space Sussex app, launching soon, which will help those who feel unsafe to find specially designated safe spaces near them.

Information on additional projects that will be funded with the money will follow in the coming weeks.

In October the county secured almost £1 million from the government’s Safer Streets fund.

The government increased the fund with an emphasis on the safety of women and girls after the death of Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving Metropolitan Police Officer Wayne Couzens as she walked home from a friend’s house on March 3.

Ms Bourne said the money will help to pay for an expansion of CCTV at Brighton War Memorial and the Old Steine and Hastings Alexandra Park.

The money will also be used to fund extra beach patrol schemes in Rye, Eastbourne, Worthing, East Grinstead and Billingshurst.

While students in Year 8 at secondary schools across Sussex will be given “healthy relationship” sessions, focusing on harassment, toxic masculinity and misogyny.

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