Businesses given eyes in back of their head
Andy Parr, chairman of the Horley Association of Traders
A Horley trader has hailed an innovative Business Watch scheme as giving business owners ‘eyes in the back of their heads’.
Members of the Safer Neighbourhood team are inviting local businesses in Horley to join the scheme that will provide extra security information and advice to protect their livelihoods.
The scheme, which is free to join, will send members regular bulletins about local criminal activity, emerging trends and suspicious activity in a bid to prevent and deter business related crime.
Andy Parr, chairman of the Horley Association of Traders (HAT) is welcoming the scheme which he sees as a timely replacement to an old radio scheme.
“Originally there was shop watch where shopkeepers had a Walkie Talkie and there was one in the police station.
“That was really successful in the beginning but it died a death, possibly because it was expensive to get the radio equipment.
“So using email and internet is a good way to make it cost effective and accessible.”
Horley Association of Traders was created by a group of shop owners in an aim to communicate ways to breath new life into their ‘tumbleweed’ town.
Mr Parr, owner of Party Pad in the High Street, said his shop was the victim of crime five times since it opened two years ago.
“I’ve had forged notes, thefts, vandalism. Everybody is at risk of being a victim of crime. You’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head, and this scheme does that in a way.
“[With this scheme] I will know when someone has been shop lifted or if someone has just used a fake £20 note or if there’s a bunch of tear aways looking for their next victim, so it’s great for me.”
Through the scheme, businesses owners will be encouraged to look out for any unusual or suspicious activity and report it to the police so that it can be shared with other local companies.
Information will be passed on to the business community with up-to-date crime prevention advice and reassurance.
Andy said this scheme is similar to the Surrey Pub Watch which has been popular, with 19 Horley pub landlords becoming members.
“I know that Pub Watch has been very successful and it’s based on the same principals as that so it should be good.”
PCSO Ashley Eyden said: “We are very excited to be launching Business Watch in Horley. It’s an excellent scheme where members can work together to provide added security and safety to the benefit of all.”
“We will be able to offer highly relevant and targeted information that will help safeguard them against crime so that they can concentrate on running efficient and productive businesses.”
For more information call PCSO Ashley Eyden on 01483 632665.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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