Pimlico Business Watch has set up a brand new radio link to protect local businesses from crime and disorder. The group was set up by Westminster City Council and Warwick Safer Neighbourhoods team, with the aim of improving communication between businesses and support existing schemes.
Businesses in Pimlico experience a varied range of issues from shoplifiting to drug and alcohol related disorder. It is believed that the new radio link will help to bring the business community, the council and the police together to help resolve these issues.
The £8.5k radio system is already being used in major local retailers including Tesco, Starbucks and Sainbury's, with plans to expand the scheme to other businesses. The radio will be monitored by a Safer Neighbourhoods team of two PC's and two PCSO's, who will be in place for three months.
Westminster Council Cabinet Member for Society, Cllr Daniel Astaire said: “This is a good example of joined up working aimed at sharing information, making people feel safer and driving down crime '.
Safer Neighbourhoods Sergeant Chris Sadler said" The Warwick team have set this up, driving this initiative forward with the aim of supporting the wishes and concerns voiced by local businesses. We hope that it will develop closer partnership working and encourage a greater sense of community amongst its members, driving up levels of public confidence and ultimately helping to reduce crime in the Pimlico Business Watch area".
