GORLESTON town centre will become a virtual no-go zone for criminals, with the combination of CCTV and shop radio link. Gorleston CCTV has taken over the running of Shop Radio Link from company Shopsafe - tightening its grip on the town centre in a bid to prevent easy pickings for criminals, particularly shoplifters.
GORLESTON town centre will become a virtual no-go zone for criminals, with the combination of CCTV and shop radio link.
Gorleston CCTV has taken over the running of Shop Radio Link from company Shopsafe - tightening its grip on the town centre in a bid to prevent easy pickings for criminals, particularly shoplifters.
The shop radio link system was launched in the town in 2002 and has been heralded as a great success. Gorleston CCTV took over the radio link up on Thursday improving signal quality and distance.
The radio system allows accurate and up-to-date information to be relayed to police and the CCTV control room ensuring other retailers and officers respond where necessary.
PC Jason Howell, of Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), and PC Pat Bailey were the driving force behind getting the cameras installed in the town centre.
Pc Howell said: “We are currently in consultation with the retailers on Magdalen Way as they have an issue with retail crime and we would like to offer them the chance to be part of this valuable scheme. The hope is eventually that the stretch of shops there will also be monitored by CCTV cameras.
“The aim is for better quality information to be sent quickly between stores and this information is constantly monitored by the staff at Gorleston CCTV.”
In August, the Mercury reported the introduction of CCTV cameras had been credited for a big fall in crime in Gorleston town centre. In the six-month period it had been operating there had been a 20pc fall in general crime with a 50pc reduction in retail crime. Criminal damage offences had also fallen.
Businessman Albert Jones, who owns Magic City gambling arcade in the High Street, provided the premises for the CCTV control room. Gorleston CCTV is supported by EnterpriseGY and local businesses
To find out more about the scheme or to get involved visit www.gorlestoncctv.co.uk.
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