Bracknell

Bracknell Businesses Against Crime (B:BAC), a partnership initiative designed to make Bracknell a safe place to shop, has appointed a new co-ordinator.

Katie Simmons works closely with the Bracknell Town Centre neighbourhood policing team and is based in their office at Bracknell police station. Since taking up her new post in February, she has been getting to know the existing members of B:BAC, as well as encouraging more businesses to join.

“B:BAC currently has 35 members, including three who joined this month,” said Katie. “It is chaired by Clare Rebbeck, the manager of Millets, who is very proactive. Membership of B:BAC includes local retailers and businesses, the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, the Town Ranger and security officers.

“The group has bi-monthly meetings, at which we review the latest CCTV figures for incidents in the town centre and discuss any concerns about crime and disorder. There is a list of people, mainly prolific shoplifters, who are banned from the premises of all B:BAC members for one year. Members vote on whether to include target individuals or remove them from the list.”

B:BAC members exchange information about the activities and whereabouts of known Bracknell criminals, ensuring that everyone is alerted to any potential threat. Having signed up to strict data protection protocols, members are issued with descriptions and pictures of any possible suspects in the area. The scheme works on the basis of members holding town link radios and sharing information with town centre CCTV and the police.

“Our aim is to help B:BAC members to help themselves,” said Katie. “For example, the police provide crime reduction tips so that retail staff can join in the fight against crime. If staff see a shopper whose purse is visible in an open bag, they will advise her to put it away safely and thus prevent a potential crime.

“By working as a team, we make it very difficult for people to commit crime in Bracknell town centre.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell