Best Practice Rewarded
- Posted On: 22 July 2009 09:58:38
- In: General
Businesses adopting Best Practice in crime prevention have been acknowledged at a Radio Link and Community Safety Partnership ceremony hosted by Bangor & Holywood Town Centre Management.
Businesses adopting Best Practice in crime prevention have been acknowledged at a Radio Link and Community Safety Partnership ceremony hosted by Bangor & Holywood Town Centre Management.
Working in Partnership with North Down Borough Council, PSNI and the North Down Community Safety Partnership, Town Centre Management have recognised those businesses that have taken pro-active measures to help reduce the fear of crime within Bangor Town Centre.
Chairman of North Down Community Safety Partnership Councillor Ian Henry presented Boots, GSS Security, Flagship Control / Sword Security, Donegans and the Safezone team who all received a certificate of recognition for their efforts tackling business & retail crime.
Speaking at the event, Town Centre Manager, Stephen Dunlop said “For many years Bangor has been seen as a soft touch by thieves and shop lifters, however since funding was received from the Community Safety Partnership, steps have been taken to ensure that this is no longer the case. We now have a radio link system with over 35 members signed up in the day time economy and 15 in the evening economy, all are linked to Flagship Control, CCTV and the PSNI. We also have regular FREE retail crime training sessions where attendees are taught how to identify counterfeit money, potential shoplifters, and the latest shoplifting techniques.
In the evening economy a number of schemes have been introduced to help eradicate the perceived negative image that hangs over Bangor Town Centre. The implementation of the BAND scheme has seen publicans vote to serve exclusion orders on individuals convicted of a range of offences in and around the town centre pubs and since its launch in April 2008, only 6 people have been BAND from Bangor Town Centre. There has also been the expansion of the Safezone team and the street angels who can be seen every Friday and Saturday evening walking around the High Street offering advice, providing reassurance and acting as an information point for those not familiar with the town.”
Councillor Ian Henry supported the view and emphasised the need for businesses to be vigilant. “It is good to see that many businesses in Bangor have decided that enough is enough and are actively taking a stand against business crime. Those receiving certificates today are setting an example to their neighbours in operating best practice of crime prevention. It is important that Bangor is seen as a closed shop to thieves and days like today highlight the good work that is being done.”
Bangor Town Centre is a safe place to shop, eat and drink so why go elsewhere?
