30 September 2010 More than 120 Eastbourne businesses will be launching a new radio system next week meaning quicker and more effective communication throughout the town centre.
Starting on Monday, 125 members of the daytime and evening economy including shops, taxi companies, the police and street pastors will be equipped with new digital radios to improve communication between businesses and combat shop theft, anti-social behaviour, and public place violent crime.
Previously renting radio equipment from an external agency, Eastbourne Business Crime Group has received a loan from Eastbourne Borough Council to purchase its own equipment and ensure a joined up approach between local businesses and the police, with the Arndale Centre and Langney Shopping Centre already installing the new system.
Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Cllr David Tutt said “We are very pleased to be supporting the town’s Business Crime Group in purchasing their own radio system, which will definitely go some way to improving the communication between group members in the town. Not only will individual businesses be equipped with their own radios to alert other members or call for assistance, but the police and street pastors who patrol the town on Friday and Saturday nights, will all be linked together. As well as being used to pass intelligence or raise awareness of specific situations, we hope that the radios will also prove a useful tool for locating missing children or vulnerable adults.”
All radios will have a panic button allowing for members to instantly call for assistance. The Arndale Centre security staff will also be using the new system and monitoring the messages around the clock.
Chairman of Shopwatch Matt Briggs said “The new equipment will ensure that we keep ahead in the fight against retail based crime in Eastbourne. The Business Crime Group has always been at the forefront of innovation and this approach has already proved successful with recent figures from the Crime Reduction Partnership showing a reduction in shoplifting.”
Members of Eastbourne’s night time economy are excited about the arrival of the new radios too. Andrew Morris, Chairman of Nightwatch said “The clarity and range of the new digital radio system will prove invaluable for the night time economy and enable us to assist the police as well as other members when incidents do occur. Public place violent crime has continued to fall steadily within Eastbourne over the last couple of years and the new system will enable all of our members to now actively engage in encouraging this downward trend.”
For more information or to enquire about joining the Eastbourne Business Crime Group and benefiting from the new digital radio system for as little as £1 per day, contact Eastbourne Business Crime Group Manager Trish Pybous on 01323 415411.
