The Buxton Retailers Against Crime radio system has seen another arrest made for shoplifting in the town centre
On Thursday, 11 December, a 19-year-old Fairfield man was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from Marks and Spencer in the town. He was bailed pending further enquires. <br> <br>The total number of arrests for shoplifting in Buxton has now reached 11 since the scheme was launched just over a month ago.<br> <br>Buxton Safer Neighbourhood Team has also held a number of events in the Spring Gardens Shopping Centre to offer people purse chains, security alarms and crime prevention advice.<br> <br>Team Sgt Martin Mullis said: "The radio link up is working exceptionally well and this is shown by the results we’ve achieved. I can’t stress enough just how valuable it is for local retailers.<br> <br>"We also had an overwhelming response at the crime prevention events and our stock cleared out. It’s good to see the community working together to keep Buxton safe."<br><br>And meanwhile police and businesses in Chapel-en-le-Frith’s Pubwatch scheme have joined forces to trial a new crimebusting radio system. <br> <br>Licensees in pubs, clubs and off licences have been given walkie-talkies allowing them to speak to police officers and staff at other premises about suspicious incidents and anti-social behaviour. <br> <br>The month long trial is being launched ahead of the busy festive period to reduce shoplifting and make licensed premises safer for customers.<br> <br>Some Pubwatch members are trialling the radios but if they prove to be successful, the scheme could be adopted by all premises taking part in the Pubwatch initiative.<br> <br>Pubwatch was re-launched with the support of licencees in the area back in November. They meet monthly with fellow licencees and the police but the radios have been introduced to allow much closer contact.<br> <br>Its members will regularly discuss problem customers with a view to putting them on a "banned" list to be circulated to all pubs and off-licences in the scheme.<br> <br>Acting Sergeant Ian de Pee, of Chapel and Chinley Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The radio scheme has been very successful in other areas of Derbyshire and we hope the licensees will make use of the trial and consider their value in keeping both staff and customers safe.<br> <br>"The scheme, although organised by the police, belongs to the traders and licensees and is for their benefit. I would encourage all traders to get involved."
And members of the newly-created Swadlincote Business Watch welcomed the news that they are to be given a high-tech security system by the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership.
Called AlertBox, the system creates a digital network linking box owners. The boxes, about the size of a paperback book, transmit warning messages to others at the touch of a button.
Users can chose which of two buttons on the box to press – "Warning" or "Help" and when they do so others on the network are made aware of which button has been pressed and the location of the box that originated the message. To work the device simply has to be plugged into a mains socket.
The Partnership says that as well as summoning help from neighbouring premises they reduce fear of both crime and retaliation among shop staff who can use the box to call for help quickly and discreetly without any need for confrontation.
The AlertBox system was discussed at the official launch of Swadlincote Business Watch in November, but at that time no money was available with which to purchase it. Now a successful bid to Derbyshire’s safer Communities Board by the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership has secured £10,000 to buy the base unit and 40 of the boxes.
Jacki Rowbottom, Manager of New Look on Swadlincote High Street, said: "We are delighted that the Partnership is able to provide this system. It will make life so much better for me and my staff. I understand that for some of my young employees challenging someone they think is acting suspiciously is very difficult. The AlertBox will give them confidence and get them help."
Lynn Fearn, Partner in Labyrinth Therapy Rooms in High Street agreed they will be very useful. She said: "I can’t wait to get one. Our location means that we are not aware of what is going on in the street and when people are about. We do have a retail section here and so need to know."
Partnership Safer Neighbourhoods officer Phil Marriott says he expects the boxes to all be in place early in the New Year. Commenting on the decision to buy them he said: "We have received good reports of how successful these have been elsewhere. They help reduce low level crime and anti-social behaviour and they also help to build a stronger business community.
"In effect, they are an electronic Neighbourhood Watch, enabling people to look out for each other, keep each other informed about what is happening and to help each other where it is possible and practical to do so."
