Shops tune in to beat centre crime
STUART PIKE
ACCRINGTON town centre is benefiting from a radio scheme linking shops together to help prevent crime.
The Town Link Radio Scheme creates community links between stores and police and builds a better understanding of problems arising in the centre of the town.
Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw provided more than £2,000 via the Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to expand the scheme, repair or replace older radios and allow greater use of what has already proven to be a successful way of deterring criminals and helping in their identification.
Visiting Tesco in Accrington to hear first hand how the system makes a positive difference in the area, Mr Grunshaw also heard some examples of where the radio has allowed different businesses alongside the police to work together in order to tackle crime, including anti-social behaviour.
He said: “This scheme has helped businesses in Accrington work together to tackle crime, working with officers to bring offenders to justice whilst deterring potential shop lifters from targeting the area.
“Tackling crime and reoffending is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan, which is why I was really pleased to support the scheme through funding provided to Hyndburn CSP.
“It helps support the vital work that officers do around the clock to keep people safe and allows businesses in the area to engage with the local policing team in a way that helps address their concerns and issues.
“Working together is a vital part of making our communities safer, with relatively small amounts of funding able to make a big difference in areas across the county, supporting organisations who have great ideas to tackle crime.”