Council and Police work in partnership with local businesses to tackle retail crime across the town.
A project to enhance community safety and clamp down on shoplifting and anti-social behaviour across Kirkby in Ashfield, has been launched by Ashfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
Ashfield District Council, Nottinghamshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire have so far teamed up with 14 local retailers who have signed up to the Business Crime Forum (Shop Watch) Radio Scheme 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 and is part of a raft of measures being put in place to tackle anti-social behaviour and environmental crime across Kirkby town centre and the Coxmoor estate.
The scheme has been funded from the £750,000 Home Office Safer Streets initiative which the Community Safety Partnership and Police Crime Commissioner’s Office were successful in securing last year. It has also been announced that this scheme 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 quicky to both the Police and Council’’.
Antonio Taylor, Community Safety Manager for Ashfield District Council, Said:
“The shop watch scheme in Kirkby is already proving to be beneficial for local businesses, with information being shared promptly and efficiently between town centre businesses, CCTV officers and the Police. We’re working hard to support town centre businesses and to provide a vibrant, safe and pleasant place for people to work and spend their leisure time.”
”This scheme is doing exactly that, and I am delighted that we will be extending the scheme to Sutton and Hucknall in a bid to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour in our town centres.”
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.’’
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.”
Business signed up so far are: