SAFETY IS A PRIORITY FOR CHRISTCHURCH BUSINESSES THIS CHRISTMAS

Members of the Christchurch Business Improvement District (Christchurch BID) in Christchurch Town Centre have funded the professional security company Vanguard Security Patrol and Response to support the local night-time economy and keep Christchurch a safe and welcoming place to enjoy this Christmas.

The Vanguard Security and Patrol team have been contracted to patrol Christchurch on Friday and Saturday nights throughout December and on New Year’s Eve.

Christchurch BID has spent six months working with businesses in the town with the aim to help reduce retail crime in the area.  Town Watch Radios have been introduced to local retailers to allow communication with each other and with the central Police Town CCTV operators and help deter shoplifters, alongside assisting store staff in recognising potential troublemakers.

Alongside the successful reintroduction of the Town Watch Radio project, Christchurch Town Council also fund a permanent CSAS Officer, Jen Maidment, who has made a marked difference in the management of ASB incidents in the town in the last twelve months.

The Vanguard Security Patrol Team is an additional layer in keeping night-time workers and visitors to the town safe to enjoy their night out in Christchurch’s thriving night-time scene.

Tim Lloyd, Managing Director of The Captains Club Hotel and Christchurch BID Director comments, “Investing in extra security patrols to support our night-time venues is a positive step in ensuring that Christchurch remains a safe place for workers and visitors to enjoy their evenings out in our wonderful town at Christmas”.

Chris Guest, Chair of Christchurch BID adds “The extra security patrols are assisting in not just supporting local venues with their own security provisions but are also extra eyes about the town and Quay.  They are able to intervene in issues that arise in public areas and help the general public if they need assistance.   They are an extra layer of security in the town there to support existing venue door staff and the local enforcement agencies who we all know are under immense pressure due to reduced resourcing nationally.”

Vinnie Edmonds, Managing Director of JPS Communications, and supplier of Christchurch Town Watch security radios, has offered his support to the Town Watch Radio scheme.  JPS Communications have provided businesses with a free trial of digital two way radios so they can experience the benefits of being able to communicate with each other in real time.  By using the radios, businesses are able to quickly raise awareness of criminal activity such as shop lifting or antisocial behaviour in the town that may be headed their way.  This provides retailers and hospitality venues valuable time to close their doors, be ready for unwanted visitors and remain alert to who and what is happening near to them. 

The message from Christchurch businesses is that Christchurch remains a wonderful town to shop,  visit and enjoy an evening out during the Christmas period and beyond.  With additional night time security in the town, Christchurch offers a safe welcoming place to enjoy the festive season with friends and family in the knowledge that anti-social behaviour will be addressed promptly and professionally should it arise.

For more information about the work of Christchurch BID and its business members please visit www.christchurchbid.co.uk or follow @christchurchbid on social media.