Essex Coastal Towns Introduce Radio Scheme to Enhance Shopper Safety

A council has announced that over 100 businesses in Essex seaside towns are set to receive radios as a measure to combat crime and anti-social conduct. This initiative, known as the ShopSafe scheme, is being extended to include Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Harwich. Tendring District Council reported that 18 radios were recently distributed within Clacton town centre, funded by a £27,600 grant. Gina Placey, the independent cabinet member responsible for partnerships, described it as “an excellent scheme that will help make shopping safer in our town centres.” The local initiative was established by the council and Essex Police, and is operated by the security system firm ShopSafe Alert. This scheme, which incorporates both radios and an online application for exchanging information and images, receives funding from the police, the council, and the police, fire and crime commissioner. During the summer, Essex Police indicated that anti-social incidents in Tendring had nearly decreased by half, though they acknowledged that further efforts were required.