The Essex Police Business Crime Team has worked with Rochford District Council, Rochford & Castle Point Community Safety Partnership and ShopSafe to launch the new TownLink radio service in Rayleigh High Street.
It will allow retailers to share information about suspects instantly with each other and with the police, where necessary, and is supported by the town’s new 24/7 monitored CCTV system.
The TownLink radio system provides reassurance to retailers in Rayleigh as the system allows greater communication between retailers and police to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as protecting vulnerable shop staff workers from abuse.
Cllr Lisa Newport, Lead Member for Communities and Health of Rochford District Council’s Joint Administration, said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in getting ShopSafe and the TownLink radio scheme up and running in Rayleigh.
“This new radio system, along with the new CCTV coverage we have, which is monitored 24 hours a day by the control room, will give people and businesses alike, a sense of added safety in and around the town.”
Business crime officer PC Alex Plakhtienko added: “TownLink radio will provide vital reassurance for retailers as well as customers visiting Rayleigh High Street because it enables better communications between the stores.
“It’s already proven valuable in other towns where retailers use it to alert each other to incidents and call the police if they require assistance.
“Through our Open for business, closed for crime initiative, we encourage staff and customers to report crime and anti-social behaviour to us online at www.essex.police.uk/ro or by ringing 999 if the crime is happening there and then. We can then work with stores to identify and prosecute offenders while giving them crime prevention advice to improve security and reduce opportunities for shoplifters.
“This helps us to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour while also protecting vulnerable shop staff from abuse and stores from the cost of shop theft. The new TownLink radio and CCTV systems now in place in Rayleigh will help us to do this.”