A Fresh Start for BABAC
(Boscombe Area Businesses Against Crime)
We all want to make Boscombe a safer, more attractive and pleasant place to live, work, visit and shop. Reducing retail crime and anti-social behaviour will benefit everyone in the area.
The Safer Business Award was achieved in August 2006. The scheme is a partnership between Traders, Police and Neighbourhood Management. The scheme is managed by a Board of Management, reporting to a Steering Committee.
Aims of the Scheme:
- Improved communication and co-ordinated approach to business crime
- Reduced crime and fear of crime
- Reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour
- Increased footfall as area becomes safer
- Creating a cohesive business ‘community’
- Reduction in empty premises and better reputation locally, regionally and nationally
Board of Management:
Anne Eyles, Chairman – 01202 300883
Huw Moore, Vice Chair – 01202 300333
Carol Butler, Secretary – 01202 458982
Dawn Bevan, Treasurer – 01202 458708
Steering Committee:
The Board of Management is led by a Steering Committee who meet 4 times a year, and provide guidance and support to the Board of Management. The members are led by Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, and representatives of the council, local businesses and statutory bodies.
Business Crime Manager:
Sharon Froud, Business Crime Manager, works with Security Guards and local businesses, offering support, training and assistance.
Members of the scheme are linked by a Radio Network, which provides support and back up to staff within the scheme. Members of BABAC complete forms detailing incidents that take place within their stores. If the incident is serious enough it will result in an Exclusion (Banning) order being issued, preventing those who commit crime or exhibit anti-social behaviour from returning to shops in the scheme.
Members of the BABAC scheme display Window Stickers in their premises. Persistent offenders run the risk of being issued with an ASBO. Banning orders are for 12 months, and are lifted only if a letter is received requesting that the ban be lifted, and with the approval of the police.
It is only by all of the partners working together that the scheme can work and we really hope that traders will come on board and help to make Boscombe a ‘no-go’ area for those individuals and persistent offenders who blight all of our lives.
For more information on the scheme and how to become a member please contact Carol Butler, Urban Centre Manager on 01202 458982 or the Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 07825 522 758.
