Shopwatch – who’s got their eyes on your shop?
Shopwatch works by members quickly spreading warnings throughout its two-way radio network about shoplifters or crimes in the area.
Started by ATCMG in 2002, the scheme has continued to result in a constant number of arrests and prosecutions of people committing retail crime at the Angel.
Shopwatch is well supported by the police – the Angel Police Team now carry four radios to respond quickly to incidents of shoplifting or fraud reported by members. If they’re busy, they will pass on any calls to the main police switchboard.
Also - 24-hour security staff in the N1 Centre are now listening in 24/7 and will alert radio users when there is an incident in the surrounding area.
These are just two of the ways in which we’ve recently improved our successful radio scheme - which has proved its worth time and time again to Angel businesses.
How does it work?
Shopwatch members each have a two-way radio for instant contact with everyone else in the network. When there’s an incident or someone spots known or suspected troublemakers, businesses can spread a warning putting shop or security staff on their guard. Members also meet police regularly to discuss recent events, share details of regular local offenders and see police mug shots of known criminals.
Get involved. Get a Shopwatch radio!
Shopwatch is open to businesses in the Angel BID area and those in surrounding streets.
It costs £293.75 per year (inc VAT) to hire the radio for businesses INSIDE the BID area, and an extra £100 one-off registration fee on top for businesses OUTSIDE the BID. This includes the cost of maintaining the radios and replacing batteries as required.
To find out more call Angel BID Director Christine Lovett on 020 7288 4377 or click here (link through to leaflet).
› click here to download the Shopwatch form
