About Magazine Issue 15

£1/4m for St Leonards' Shops

Traders in Central St Leonards were given a boost after Christmas, following the announcement that their shops will benefit from a £1/4m scheme to improve security in a bid to stamp out retail crime.

The statistics

• Recent crime analysis has identified that since the beginning of October 2001 the area of Central St. Leonards has increasingly been targeted for commercial burglary. 17 offences were committed during October 2001 compared to just 1 in October 1999 and none in October 2000. Premises targeted include shops, hairdressers, licensed premises and launderettes.
• Since the beginning of September 2001 50% of all commercial burglaries have been committed in this area.
• Most (92%) of offences were committed whilst the premises were closed for business.

The fight to reduce crime

• The new scheme will target approximately 120 premises with the intention of bringing them up to a common level of security.
• An ongoing analysis to identify the levels of recorded crime will be carried out by Sussex Police.
• A Burglary Reduction Initiative is in place. The Secured Accommodation Scheme has been running for almost two years and targets Houses in Multiple Occupation, offering discounted security measures including locks to secure property.
• Single Regeneration Budget funding to refurbish commercial properties.
• Neighbourhood Renewal funding to improve street lighting and for CCTV.
• A Street Warden scheme.
• 50% of money invested in the Communities Against Drugs scheme will be going towards additional policing.

The cash is the largest slice of Home Office money to be awarded for a scheme in the UK and was the result of a Hastings Borough Council and Sussex Police bid.

Approximately 80 shops in Central St Leonards will benefit from a 100% grant of up to £3000 per unit. The money will be spent on security lighting, upgrading locks, improving window security, burglar alarms, till screens or counter cash boxes and security mirrors.

All these security measures make up part of the basic package. Around 30 premises will also benefit from internal CCTV to combat shoplifting and other crime.

Police and Council chiefs are delighted with the result of the bid as this part of St Leonards has been cited as a burglary hotspot.

Sergeant Phillip Mears of Sussex Police, said:

"At the end of 2001, approximately 50% of all commercial burglaries were taking place in Central St Leonards. This package of measures will go a long way in making this area an unattractive place for criminals to operate. Targeted police operations have also resulted in recent arrests with a corresponding drop in the burglary rate."

Councillor Trevor Webb, Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety, said:

"Beating crime is one of our highest priorities.

"I am delighted that we were able to secure such a large amount of funding which I hope will lead to an immediate impact on crime levels in St Leonards."

For more information contact the Community Safety Coordinator on 781438 or e-mail communitysafety@hastings.gov.uk

For information about the Secure Accommodation Scheme contact Landlord Liaison Officer on 781444 or e-mail secureaccommodation@hastings.gov.uk

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