Luton BID improves safety on nights out this winter
Luton BID improves safety on nights out this winter
Luton Business Improvement District (BID) is funding a brand-new safer communities project in the town centre this winter to help prevent crime and improve safety for residents and businesses.
The ‘My Local Bobby’ initiative has been organised and funded by Luton BID in response to feedback from late night businesses such as pubs, restaurants, shops and takeaways, and will include two patrolling security officers on Friday and Saturday nights, starting this month.
The new initiative will not only help ensure a safe and pleasant environment for those working or enjoying a night out, but will also reassure businesses who have expressed concerns over the perception of crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre and the lack of security presence. Luton BID is in communication with Luton Council and Bedfordshire Police to increase the statutory provision.
Luton BID Manager, Julia Horsman said: “We have a fantastic working partnership with Bedfordshire Police and Luton Council and are determined as a collective to reduce the fear of crime for the benefit of staff and the public. We ultimately want to improve town centre safety and create a safe and secure environment for all.
“Luton BID is delighted to be able to fund the My Local Bobby project, making our town a safer place to live, socialise and work. This will lead to greater economic investment ensuring a brighter future for Luton.”
A spokesman for Luton Council said: “Luton Council works closely with the police and other stakeholders including the BID to ensure the town centre is a safe and welcoming place. As part of this we have two uniformed neighbourhood enforcement officers dedicated to the town centre, one of whom is funded by the BID.”
Established in 2007 by Ex Metropolitan Police Detective David McKelvey, My Local Bobby provides a full range of security services, residential patrols, and public realm security patrols across London. With a senior management team consisting of ex police officers and former military personnel, the scheme has made a significant difference to crime and anti-social behaviour levels in the areas they work.
Ahmet Izzet, Operations Director at My Local Bobby explained: “We are looking forward to bringing our successful My Local Bobby crime prevention initiative to Luton, as it is the first town outside of London to benefit from the scheme. Our Bobbies have been proven to provide a visible presence through regular patrols, and to act as a deterrent for crime and anti social behaviour, dealing with issues as they arise and contacting the police if required.
“Our Bobbies are naturally confident, sociable too, and will pro-actively engage with workers, residents and visitors in Luton town centre. They will focus on developing great working relationships with businesses, who will all have a direct line via town centre radios to the Bobbies, providing reassurance that they can be contacted if staff or business owners are feeling vulnerable or concerned.”
A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We do have dedicated officers in place at the weekends in Luton town centre, which are a mix of our patrol and community officers. However how many we have on duty would depend on what else is going on which is where the threat/ harm/ risk assessment comes in.”
AW House, a local family ran office building in the Town Centre have kindly supported the initiative by allowing the officers to use the facilities in the office space whilst they are patrolling the Town.
For more information on Luton BID https://lutonbid.org/
For more information on My Local Bobby https://mylocalbobby.co.uk