Keeping the Area Safe
The business community is connected via a series of information sharing groups that act as a shop/business watch scheme and which help us all work together to keep the area safe. Station to Station staff can keep businesses informed in an efficient and time effective manner, businesses can support and inform one another of issues as they occur (shoplifting, abandoned vehicles, antisocial behaviour) and the Lambeth councillors that sit on these groups are able to see the issues that regularly affect the area, and lend support if necessary.
In 2022 we launched a pilot scheme targeting so called ‘low level’ crime in the area to support chain store workers in the BID who are particularly affected by the 10-15 prolific shoplifters in the area. The pilot made significant progress with getting Community Behaviour Orders (new term for ASBO) for some individuals, so the scheme has been extended.
Station to Station staff also work closely with the police via the Safer Neighbourhood Team network, to provide local intelligence and information. Working together in this manner helped catch and convict at least four prolific burglars in 2019/20 and enabled us to get extra support from our own dedicated Public Protection officer to help with antisocial behaviour and street drinking issues.
During the Covid 19 pandemic we supported all of our businesses to operate in a safe and secure way. We provided a steady stream of health & safety guidance via all our communications channels, free PPE visors when there was a national shortage, risk assessments in the multiple languages spoken in the area were made available, plus social distancing notices and street markings – all to keep businesses safe and inspire consumer confidence. We will continue to provide these services as long as necessary.