Shop owners say they hope a new police scheme can help solve anti-social behaviour from "scary" people in a Nottinghamshire town. There have been reported issues in Kirkby-in-Ashfield - and now police have created a new ‘Shop Watch’ scheme.
15 local shops in the town have signed up to the Business Crime Forum, Shop Watch, which was launched by Ashfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
The new scheme involves new radio systems that link directly to the CCTV control room situated at Police Headquarters.
Are you planning an event for King Charles III’s Coronation? Let us know here
The radios can be used to warn other shops in the scheme of an individual or group causing trouble and alert control room operatives so immediate action can be taken.
Lek Cheweewan, 61, owner of Fashion IT is among the fifteen shop owners who have received the radio. She said: “I have the radio, I’m sure it will help out a lot. You can speak to those in the area. It’s a good idea. The police gave this to us, and other shops around here like Tesco.
"It’s very good. The police have come here to help me, sometimes it can be very quiet with scary people around. The police came and put up the cameras outside as well. People can be scary so it makes me feel better, the idea is perfect.”
In June last year, Lek spoke to Nottinghamshire Live after shoplifting rose dramatically in the town. Her store experienced shoplifting many times. Other shops also previously spoke out and said they ‘don’t feel safe or secure’.
Manager of Leisure Time Chris Duvel, has worked at the amusements on Station Street for 20 years.
The 65-year-old said:“It will be good, I personally think, if they went to the schools and youth club and told them we’ve got it. I don’t think the children realise we have got it. The children stand here and bang on the window.”
Chris says youths between 12 and 15 often bang on the window of the amusements whichakes a sign in the window swing back and forth which makes ‘you jump out of your skin’.
She continued“I don’t think they realise it, they should explain to them that you’ll be on camera. One time I tried to explain to some lads last week and all I got was abuse. It does make you feel a bit safer.
“It does make you feel safe but it doesn’t seem to stop. I had to press my panic button one night before we had these (the radios) because I thought they were going to put the window in - it rattles so much now.
“It makes you feel safer, they need to tell the school, so they know we’ve all got CCTV and the radio. All we have to do is go on the radio and you’ll be in trouble.”
As well as the radios, the businesses which are a part of the scheme also received CCTV, lighting and signage last month to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Jody Wyld, 43, has owned Swit Swoo Boutique for four years, she said: "As I say, fingers crossed. We’ve not been too bad here because we're a small boutique and don’t get the younger ones down here.
“There have been problems here and having the radios will be good for people I think. Police have (installed) CCTV also on the individual shop watch shops so we can speak to the CCTV [control room] and they can keep an eye on them. The police have got the radio too. It gives you a bit of peace of mind.”
Antonio Taylor, Community Safety Manager for Ashfield District Council, Said: “The shop watch scheme in Kirkby is already proving to be beneficial for local businesses, with information being shared promptly and efficiently between town centre businesses, CCTV officers and the Police. We’re working hard to support town centre businesses and to provide a vibrant, safe and pleasant place for people to work and spend their leisure time”
”This scheme is doing exactly that, and I am delighted that we will be extending the scheme to Sutton and Hucknall in a bid to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour in our town centres”
Jon Hewitt, Ashfield Policing Inspector for Nottinghamshire Police Said: “The scheme will help us tackle retail crime and improve feelings of safety across the town.
“By working with local shops and the Council, we can also be alerted to other concerns such as begging, street drinking and public order issues which will help us respond to instances far sooner.
READ NEXT:
Man 'slashed' during attack near shopping precinct in The Meadows
Residents baffled by 'strange' smell reported across West Bridgford
Man had a 'long walk home' after Nottinghamshire Police seized car
Excitement for new children's playground in Nottinghamshire village
Disappointment over Wilford park swings which 'disappeared and haven't been put back'
