Looking for information about a council service?
Strabane District Radio Link Scheme
Strabane District Radio Link Scheme
Monday 7th July 2008
Strabane Chamber of Commerce have joined forces with the local PSNI, Strabane Community Safety Partnership and Strabane District Policing Partnership to target retail theft and associated crime in the town centre.
Local businesses received their radios this week at the launch of Strabane District Radio Link Scheme. The idea behind the radio link scheme is that it allows all those shops who are members to keep in constant contact with one another. This means they can quickly alert each other to any criminal activity and also broadcast the descriptions of anybody believed to be active in crime or other anti-social behaviour. It also allows them to warn each other about crimes that have occurred such as counterfeit currency or credit cards. Police Officers from theNeighbourhood Policing Team will also carry a radio with them whilst on patrol thus meaning important information can be relayed quicker than ever before.
The scheme will add significantly to the safety of Strabane town centre and will be a proactive deterrent to incidents crime and anti-social behaviour. In Strabane town, there were 204 recorded incidents of theft, 327 of criminal damage, 23 commercial burglary and 9 robberies in the last year. Similar radio schemes are in operation across a number of towns in NI such as Carrickfergus, Newcastle, Downpatrick, Ballymena and Belfast and have proven to have a positive impact on town centre crime and particularly in instances of commercial burglary and it is hoped that the Strabane scheme will have the similar results. It is popular with traders because the radio link makes them feel less isolated and increases their confidence which reduces their fear of crime.
Mr Joe Barber, speaking on behalf of Strabane Chamber of commerce said, “The radiolink scheme is a huge step forward in creating a safer town centre environment. It’s great to have the support of the PSNI, Strabane Community Safety Partnership, and the District Policing Partnership and it’s only through this multi-agency approach that crime can be tackled. The provision of the radios will greatly improve links between businesses and will build on the framework of co-operation that already exists amongst the local businesses. It is important to get the message across that Strabane is a safe place to shop. This scheme will help to get that message out as well as acting as a deterrent to anyone with criminal or anti social intent.”
The Crime Prevention officer from the PSNI said, “We are doing as much as we can to reduce and prevent business crime in our District. Local businesses should not have to tolerate shoplifting or nuisance behaviour on their premises and with the new radio link system; they will now have peace of mind and the security of knowing they no longer have too. The scheme is a great example of police working with our partners to produce a solution to aneighbourhoodissue. I hope it helps to reassure residents, shoppers and traders that Strabane is not an easy target for criminals and it should send out a clear message to thieves to stay away from the town.”
Commenting on the scheme, a spokesperson from Strabane Community Safety Partnershipsaid, “The fear of crime and anti-socialbehaviourcontinues to be an issue for individual citizens, local communities and businesses.Strabane Community Safety Partnership has just completed itsstrategyfor the next three years and towncentrecrime is one of itsprioritiesand as such has allocated financial resources to a ‘Safe Strabane’initiativewhich will see a roll out of theradiolink schemeto other businesses as well as working in partnership with local taxi firms, pubs and off licenses to implement this scheme. By combating all aspects of crime in our town centre and by reducing the fear of crime we will make Strabane a safer place to live, shop, trade and visit.”
Councilor Thomas Kerrigan, Chairman of Strabane District Policing Partnership said of the scheme “I am delighted that the retailers of Strabane are working with the PSNI and Strabane Community Safety Partnership to help keep Strabane asafer and better place to work, shop and visit. Together with our partners, the DPP is determined to do all it can to reduce crime in our District”.
So far ten businesses have agreed to try the scheme and if it proves to be a success then it will be expanded to cover bars, off licenses and taxis firms. Joe Barber from the Chamber added, “We would urge all traders to join up to the scheme as the more businesses we have in the scheme the more effective a tool it becomes. We are always looking for new members and I would encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch.
