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Newtown abbey retailers crimewatch launched
Newtownabbey town centre management, in partnership with the police service and Abbey retailers, have launched a new security initiative aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the Abbey centre and surrounding retail parks.
Abbey retailers crimewatch (ARC) effectively links up all of the existing security and camera systems in the area, allowing individual retailers and security providers to exchange information on suspicious behaviour or criminal activity on an ongoing basis. Local police officers are also directly linked to the system, ensuring a prompt response to incidents.
Commenting on the ARC initiative, Newtownabbey town centre manager, Desy Clayton said: ""The ARC initiative not only allows police and security teams to respond to suspicious activity, but ensures that traders in all Abbey retail parks receive advance warning of potential trouble. That local police officers are linked to the system, which is controlled centrally, gives this initiative an extra and very welcome edge. Beforehand, criminals could move between the various retail parks to avoid detection.
"The ARC initiative will ensure that they can be kept under constant surveillance by utilising the excellent camera and monitoring systems which exist throughout the Abbey centre area. This is an excellent example of co-operation and team work between retailers, police and security providers"
Newtownabbey commander, acting chief inspector Alan McKeown, said: ""The key to combating crime of any type is for the police and public to work together. This is particularly true of retail crime. Our objectives are to reduce the effects both financially and physically of criminals in the retail sector by working with each other and with the police to identify their methods and create an environment in which they cannot operate freely."
4 March 2010