 |
Bluewater
Bluewater, the leading shopping and leisure destination, has been recognised for its achievement in best practice crime-prevention. On 9th September, Bluewater was presented with the hard-earned Safer Business Award (SBA) by AABC.
The award is a significant achievement for Bluewater and is a result of a myriad of crime-prevention initiatives including the National Business Information System which links towns and shopping centres across the country to identify offenders from other areas as well as Bluewater.
Sandy Hobbs, AABC regional business crime manager said "The award is criteria based, and partnerships must demonstrate that they have hit all the key targets. I'm delighted to say that Bluewater passed with flying colours. On a practical level this work will help ensure that persistent troublemakers who cause alarm and distress are identified and prevented from committing crime and anti social behaviour in the first place.”
Fiona Campbell-Reilly, head of marketing at Bluewater, said: “Bluewater is leading the way in crime prevention and the SBA is recognition of our crime prevention initiatives. We all share the common goal of ensuring the safest possible environment for visitors and employees of the centre and I think we can proudly say that our efforts are paying off.”
Chief Inspector Philip Painter, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing and partnerships in North Kent, said: "It is a fantastic achievement that Bluewater has been awarded this national accreditation for the hard work they have put in to enhance the service they provide for everyone that uses Bluewater. To achieve this, Bluewater has been working closely in partnership with retailers and Kent Police to develop new ways to ensure an even safer and more enjoyable environment for its customers. This includes developing new information collation and sharing systems, which have enhanced security and safety in stores and the Bluewater site as a whole."
In 2005, Bluewater was the first retail complex in Britain to ban hoodies, baseball caps and swearing in its centre; a bold move that set the safety standard and gained wide respect within the local community.
Shown (L to R) are: acting inspector Richard Bushell; Cllr Ken Jones, mayor of Gravesham; Paul Birkett, senior operations manager Bluewater; Sandy Hobbs, AABC; Cllr Ian Armitt, mayor of Bean and Darenth and Chief Inspector Phillip Painter.
30 July 2010