15th November 2016: Two new initiatives funded and supported by Luton Business Improvement District (BID) will help boost security in Luton town centre over the Christmas period and beyond.
With town centre security continuing as a main strategic objective, Luton BID is funding two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to patrol the town centre streets over November and December.
The presence of the PCSOs over the busy festive period will ensure safety and help boost security in prominent town centre locations.
In addition, Luton BID is also continuing to support the new digital business crime radio scheme that is being managed by Luton Business Against Crime (LBAC), by offering town centre businesses a significant subsidy towards the hire cost of the digital radios for one year.
The new radio scheme is currently running alongside the old analogue system to ensure a smooth transition, and has been proving effective since its launch at the beginning of November.
The digital devises will eventually replace the old analogue scheme and give businesses a more reliable, efficient method to share crime and security intelligence.
Gavin O’Brien from creative agency Clearhead is chair of the Luton BID Board, which drives forward activities under the area’s Business Improvement District status.
Gavin said: “We pledged in our BID business plan to work with the Police and other agencies to develop business crime intelligence sharing opportunities and help tackle antisocial behaviour and crime issues.
“We are pleased to be able to fund the two PCSOs and offer subsidised hire costs for the digital radios in LBAC’s crime prevention radio scheme. The two initiatives will certainly improve town centre security, and have a positive impact upon the visitor experience and feeling of personal safety in the town centre over the busy festive period.”
Kathryn Holloway, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner added: “I’m extremely happy to see these new, dedicated PCSOs in post in time for the run-up to Christmas.
“It is so important for the police and local businesses to work together at a time when there will be a significant increase in people using the town centre for their shopping and socialising. I hope this sets a precedent for more, effective, joint working in future.”
Businesses wanting to sign up to the subsidised radio scheme should contact info@lutonbid.org.