New ‘Business Watch’ Set To Launch In Bid To Fight Crime

Traders are being encouraged to find out more about a new crime-fighting initiative set to launch across Harborough.

Harborough District Business Watch would use an app-based system to allow shop and business owners to share information about crime and anti-social behaviour between themselves and Police.

It would also enable members to access pictures of shoplifters and those banned from certain premises.

Harborough District Council is hosting a drop-in event tomorrow for business owners to find out more and see a demonstration of the system.

Independent retailer Jarrod Burke, who runs Randalls candy shop in Market Harborough, told HFM it seems like a good idea:

Market Harborough town centre

The plan to introduce the system follows the closure of the Harborough Against Retail Theft Scheme and Pubwatch, with the council’s Community Safety Partnership and Economic Development Team seeking to find a new solution.

Sgt Pete Jelbert from Market Harborough police station told HFM the app is being used successfully in other parts of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire:

Cllr Jim Knight, Cabinet Lead for Community Safety and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership said: “The council is giving businesses across the Harborough District the opportunity to come together for a presentation and demonstration of a new app-based system that will help to prevent crime.

“A demonstration of the same mobile app system used across Northamptonshire will be delivered by Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership and Littoralis.

“Should there be sufficient interest from businesses, we will introduce this scheme district wide.”

The drop-in event for traders is on at the Symington Building in Market Harborough tomorrow (Wednesday) between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.