A new crime-busting partnership has been formed to help businesses in Burnham-On-Sea tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Avon & Somerset Police, Police and Crime Commissioner, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset West and Taunton Council have joined forces to form The Safer Somerset Business Partnership, which aims to make the area a safer place to visit, shop and work.
Among the first schemes to be launched is the ‘Burnham-On-Sea Safer Somerset Business Partnership’, supported by Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade, in a bid to try and reduce shoplifting and anti-social behaviour at businesses.
The new scheme was announced in Burnham on Wednesday, as pictured here, and an open Q&A session is to be held on Wednesday September 11th from 8.30am-9.30am at Tesco in Love Lane, Burnham.
Among those supporting the scheme are Gardiner Whites in Burnham High Street, which has recently seen a rise in thefts, leading it to stop displaying fruit and veg outside its store, as Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here.
A key part of the new service is a ‘Database and Intranet for Safer Communities’ (DISC) to help reduce local business crime and anti-social behaviour by reporting or exchanging information in a quick and legal way with other members of the scheme. It is a subscription service, offered by the Safer Somerset Business Partnership.
“The software system can share visual intelligence and knowledge between members,” says the DISC administrator Simon Bawler.
“It can also alert other members to known offenders, sending real-time information to the police to help identify developing patterns of behaviour or crime. The system can be used across a range of devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers.”
More businesses are being encouraged to join the Partnership to take advantage of DISC and other schemes including CCTV, Radio Link, Business Watch and Pub Watch. Premium membership, to include Radio Link, costs £460+VAT per year while the basic membership is £100+VAT per year
Further details can be obtained via Simon at SaferSomersetBP@sedgemoor.gov.uk
