13 Jan SaferTown support during lockdown
The BID continue to work in close partnership with our town centre police team and BID funded CCTV operator throughout lockdown to ensure that our essential retailers, banks and businesses are fully supported as they face the additional challenges of queues, face coverings, customer tensions, crime and staff welfare.
SafetyNet Radios
We would recommend that businesses who are open ‘book on’ to the network and conduct radio checks throughout the day. This will ensure your radio is working correctly and will enable other users to hear who is ‘on watch’ at a given time. We would also actively encourage businesses to report any issues via their SafetyNet radio directly to CCTV who will offer assistance and allocate resources where applicable. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require any urgent covid compliant technical support or radio advice. Please see this handy guide for further guidance.
ShopWatch
In addition to the radio network, up-to-date crime alerts and images of offenders to be aware of are regularly posted on our easy to use ShopWatch DISC platform. DISC is the most secure and data protection compliant web based tool that enables the police to lawfully share restricted information direct to partners and businesses. It can be instantly accessed on the shop floor via its own smartphone app or viewed on a larger web screen for the benefit of CCTV control rooms. This technology is financed and managed by the BID, and is available to all retailers and licensed premises at no cost.
Additional features also include an ID sought facility and the ability to receive alerts, safer town news articles and support documents. Registered ShopWatch members also receive automated monthly eNewsletters that keeps them connected with all crime related issues in their local area.
The BID ShopWatch group is a component of our Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP). Working in partnership with the Metropolitan police and Hammersmith & Fulham council, our objectives are to support the business community by reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, and to establish a safer environment in which to work, visit and invest in.
CCTV
Covid-19 and the residual impact on our rapidly changing High Street has brought some unique challenges to the BID funded CCTV operator over the past few months. By continuing to monitor the radio and CCTV network on a daily basis, he has been keeping our streets safe by:
- Keeping a watchful eye over all businesses and vacant premises during lockdown.
- Covering our corporate security teams on their daily and nightly patrols.
- Supporting our retail sector as they adjust to the challenges posed by queuing protocols and social distancing requirements.
- Providing our licensed premises and hospitality industry with dedicated CCTV coverage as they resume trade.
- Working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and LBHF community safety team.
- Instantly alerting local police of issues reported via the SafetyNet radio.
- Supporting police officers with live footage as they act on fast-time incidents and intelligence.
- Assisting in the identification, apprehension, evidence gathering and successful prosecution of offenders involved in criminality.
- Enhancing public safety and delivering community reassurance.
For further information or support, please contact Gordon Brockie T 07931 703 129 E g.brockie@hammersmithbid.co.uk