A project to enhance community safety and clamp down on shoplifting and antisocial behaviour has been launched across Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Ashfield District Council, Nottinghamshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire have teamed up with up 15 local retailers who have signed up to the Business Crime Forum (Shop Watch) Radio Scheme.
It comes after retailers were issued with new radio systems that link directly to the CCTV control room situated at Police Headquarters.
The radios can be used to warn other shops in the scheme of an individual or group causing trouble and alert control room operatives so immediate action can be taken.
This is in addition to Kirkby businesses receiving CCTV, lighting and signage last month which is part of a raft of measures being put in place to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve feelings of safety across Kirkby town centre and the Coxmoor estate.
The scheme has been funded from the £750,000 Home Office Safer Streets initiative which the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Community Safety Partnership were successful in securing last year. It has also been announced that Shop Watch radios will be rolled out to Sutton and Hucknall later this year.
Jody Wyld, business owner of Swit Swoo Boutique High Street, said:“We are really pleased to receive these radios; they have already been of huge benefit to local businesses in the area. It’s going to improve safety in Kirkby, help protect staff and provide us with the means of reporting issues quickly to both the Police and the Council.’’
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “Shop Watch gives retailers and their customers an extra level of protection as it creates an improved network of organisations working closely together to root out crime and keep people safe.
“With national ShopKind week coming up next week, this is also a great opportunity to recognise the hard work of shop staff and play a part in preventing them suffering abuse when they are serving the public. With better communication through the Shop Watch radios, these businesses can create a zone of zero tolerance to crime and antisocial behaviour.”
Antonio Taylor, Community Safety Manager for Ashfield District Council, said:“The shop watch scheme in Kirkby is already proving to be beneficial for local retailers, with information being shared promptly and efficiently between town centre businesses, the Council and Police. We are working hard to improve feelings of safety across the District and provide a pleasant place for people to work and spend their leisure time” This scheme is doing exactly that, and I am delighted to announce that we will be rolling out this initiative in Sutton and Hucknall later this year’’
Jon Hewitt, Ashfield Policing Inspector for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I am really pleased we have been able to launch the scheme in Kirkby. In addition to the support of radios, ongoing monthly meetings with retailers are taking place which will help enhance relationships between stores, the police and the Council. These meetings will focus on persistent offenders and improving feelings of safety within the town’’
Business signed up so far are:
- Aldi
- B&M
- Boots
- Boyes
- Superdrug
- Samaritans Charity Shop
- Morrisons
- Tesco Express
- McColls Kingsway
- Farm Foods
- Swit Swoo
- Kirkby Sales and Exchange
- Kip McGrath
- Fashion I.T
- Leisure Time
Posted on Tuesday 11th April 2023