In collaboration with the police, the Royal Borough of Greenwich launched the Business Watch Scheme in 15 Eltham businesses on Tuesday 14 October following its launch in Woolwich Town Centre last month.
The scheme equips local businesses with radios which connect to the council’s CCTV Control Centre which can monitor situations and quickly inform police of suspicious activity, if there are thieves in the area or a theft is happening. This will help us crack down on retail crime and protect staff and customers in real time.
The first successful use of Business Watch happened in TK Maxx on Powis Street in Woolwich on 5 September after staff caught someone trying to shoplift. Staff intervened, told the person to leave then alerted our CCTV control room.
Operators were able to pick the suspect up on cameras walking towards Boots on Hare Street. A quick call over the radio from the CCTV operators meant Boots’ security were already aware before the suspect reached the store. Moments after the suspect entered the store, security intervened and moved the suspect on without any loss of goods.
Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “The launch of Business Watch has been a resounding success, with 18 businesses in Woolwich and 15 businesses in Eltham signing up to the scheme since it launched in September, resulting in four arrests so far.
“The more businesses that sign up, the more effective the scheme will be in helping us and the police crack down on retail crime and anti-social behaviour in public spaces, making workers and residents feel safer.”
Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business, Skills and Greenwich Supports said: “The Business Watch scheme is a welcome addition to our borough, making our town centres more attractive, safer places for people to spend time in, with retail workers saying that they feel more connected to other shops since the launch.
“The scheme, which is partly funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, protects our workers, making Royal Greenwich a more attractive, safer place to work.”
The scheme is currently running in Woolwich Town Centre and Eltham Town Centre, however it is planned to be rolled out to Greenwich Town Centre, Plumstead, Avery Hill and Blackheath Standard later this year.
If you’re a local business and would like to sign up to the Business Watch scheme, please email Business-reporting@royalgreenwich.gov.uk to find out more.
We plan to launch Pub Watch later this year, this will equip local pubs and bars with radios so they can inform our CCTV Control Centre of the sale of stolen goods, anti-social behaviour or sexual harassment.
These licensed premises will be asked to sign our pledge for the Women’s Safety Charter to ensure the public safety of women and girls. This will provide them with Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training and ‘Ask for Angela’ training.