Radio links cutting crime at retail parks (From Echo)

Radio links cutting crime at retail parks

2:00pm Wednesday 22nd April 2009 in Search By Gina Marden

SHOPS on two of Basildon’s main industrial estates now have a 24-hour radio link to their local police officers.

Businesses on both the Mayflower and Pipps Hill Retail Parks are now able to get hold of police within seconds thanks to the launch of the Business Watch radio links.

The new link means if shoplifters and crooks are on the prowl businesses on both complexes can summon officers within seconds to make an arrest.

Shops can also exchange information with each other, such as descriptions of crooks operating in the area or details about known shoplifters, in a bid to avoid becoming victims of crime.

PCSO Roger Cowland, who covers the Mayflower retail park area, said officers had already had success with the new radios.

They arrested one shoplifter who targeted Mothercare shortly after receiving the call from shopworkers.

PCSO Cowland said: “These radios will allow businesses to report crimes straight away, they can circulate details of people acting suspiciously or if someone is breaking into a vehicle they can let us know immediately.

“Since we have had these radios we have already had at least four arrests, which is a great result and proves their worth.

“Hopefully criminals will get the message and realise that if they come here to commit crime, they are going to get caught.”

About eight businesses on the Maylower park and ten on the Pipps Hill park currently have radios.

The walkie talkie sets cost around £350 to buy, but the firms are currently hiring them for £6 a week.