News: Radio link helps Rotherham town centre businesses
Businesses in Rotherham town centre are seeing the exclusive benefits of a two-way radio scheme.
The Rotherham Radio Links Scheme is run by Rotherham Council's town centre management team, in partnership with South Yorkshire Police, and for only a small cost it can potentially save thousands in shoplifting and other crime.
Four new members have joined in the space of a few days including the first taxi firm A1 Taxis, Yella Brick Road (the first business to open in the newly restored Imperial Buildings), Image Boutique on Wellgate, and Blue Ice Nightclub on Ship Hill.
A partner in A1 Taxis, Ray Watson, said: "It gives us protection for our drivers and the public. We have 150 cars contracted to us, which is a lot of extra eyes on the streets, so if the drivers see anything suspicious they can notify the CCTV room. And with pubs and clubs on the link, we can get an early alert of any trouble."
The radios cost six pounds a week for licensed premises and independent businesses, and ten pounds a week for nationals. Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: "The scheme can be a lifeline. It is proving its worth to town centre businesses, and we would like to see many more join."
Town Centre Safety Manager Michele Hill said: "Any trouble, or even hint of trouble, and we or the subscribers can call for the police or town centre Police Community Support Officers. Descriptions of shoplifters or suspected shoplifters can also be passed on."
Measures such as this are helping Rotherham buck the national trend of increasing cases of shoplifting, believed to be due primarily to the economic downturn. Rotherham town centre, by contrast, has seen a drop. Latest figures from the South Yorkshire Police Community Intelligence Unit show that offences for shoplifting and handling stolen goods fell by a fifth, from 56 in August to 45 in November.
The Rotherham Radio Links Scheme is run by Rotherham Council's town centre management team, in partnership with South Yorkshire Police, and for only a small cost it can potentially save thousands in shoplifting and other crime.
Four new members have joined in the space of a few days including the first taxi firm A1 Taxis, Yella Brick Road (the first business to open in the newly restored Imperial Buildings), Image Boutique on Wellgate, and Blue Ice Nightclub on Ship Hill.
A partner in A1 Taxis, Ray Watson, said: "It gives us protection for our drivers and the public. We have 150 cars contracted to us, which is a lot of extra eyes on the streets, so if the drivers see anything suspicious they can notify the CCTV room. And with pubs and clubs on the link, we can get an early alert of any trouble."
The radios cost six pounds a week for licensed premises and independent businesses, and ten pounds a week for nationals. Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: "The scheme can be a lifeline. It is proving its worth to town centre businesses, and we would like to see many more join."
Town Centre Safety Manager Michele Hill said: "Any trouble, or even hint of trouble, and we or the subscribers can call for the police or town centre Police Community Support Officers. Descriptions of shoplifters or suspected shoplifters can also be passed on."
Measures such as this are helping Rotherham buck the national trend of increasing cases of shoplifting, believed to be due primarily to the economic downturn. Rotherham town centre, by contrast, has seen a drop. Latest figures from the South Yorkshire Police Community Intelligence Unit show that offences for shoplifting and handling stolen goods fell by a fifth, from 56 in August to 45 in November.
Rotherham town centre website
Rotherham
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