Arrest rates are rising thanks to members of the successful ShopNet and PubWatch schemes running in Rugby Town Centre. Rugby now has in excess of 120 sets of eyes and ears working together with Rugby BID and Warwickshire Police to combat crime.

Rugby BID, in conjunction with Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative and Warwickshire Police, provide participating businesses with radio equipment linking them directly to the CCTV Control Room and the Police. Arrests that have been a direct result of these two schemes have seen a significant rise already this year. In February there were 20 arrests compared to only 7 in January. This success has continued into March with a further 18 arrests.

“Through the radios, members of the scheme are able to communicate immediately with the BID Control room where CCTV can be used and the Police can be called in to respond to the situation,” said Aftab Gaffar, Operations Director for Rugby BID. “The speed of response is key and through the combined efforts of the town centre businesses, the BID and the Police we have seen a significant rise in the number of successful arrests.”

Both schemes have been running for over eighteen months and with almost 130 businesses already signed up the success is set to continue.

Rugby BID provides each business with radio equipment and training and anyone interested in joining the scheme should contact Rugby BID on 01788 569 436.