Introduction

One very important aspect of our work is the prevention and detection of business crime. With our key partners, the Police, Hastings Borough Council and The Safer Hastings Partnership, we manage both the Shopwatch and Barwatch schemes under the strategic banner of the Hastings Area Business Crime Reduction Partnership.

Both schemes are membership schemes, where the 200 or so existing members have a say on how each works and on such decisions as exclusion and banning orders for persistent offenders.

Hastings and St Leonards has already made great strides in combating business crime and has been awarded the prestigious, Home Office backed, Safer Shopping Award for its efforts.

A similar award reflecting equivalent efforts in the evening economy is also being sought, complementing success in other areas – The Safer Parking Award, for example that covers all Hastings car parks.

The 2 schemes have one thing in common. Businesses benefit from radio and CCTV links and access to the Police. This combination of pro-active surveillance and assistance, when required, forms a powerful deterrent for would-be offenders. Our powerful computer intelligence supports the scheme by offering members valuable data about offenders – descriptions, trends etc.

We feel this is of such great importance that any business that becomes a Town Centre Partner AUTOMATICALLY becomes a member of either Shopwatch or Barwatch. This ensures excellent value for money.

Click here for information about how to join our Partners’ Scheme