Welcome Message

Welcome to the Summer issue of Bridgwater On-Line, the newsletter dedicated to informing you of new initiatives, issues and Town Centre Partnership events in Bridgwater. I have now been in post for just over seven months and have enjoyed meeting so many of you, at your place of work, as members of the Bridgwater Business Initiative, Town Centre Partnership, trade and other organisations. I know that there are still more people to meet and if I have not yet had the opportunity to visit you, please do not take this as a lack of interest. I will soon have an administration assistant for 16 hours a week. Once this person is in place I am looking forward to making more contacts in the town.

I report to the Town Centre Partnership, which is a public and private sector arrangement. My work priorities are linked to an action plan that has been approved by the Town Centre Partnership. There is much to learn in this role, and a wide range of agencies, Services, organisations, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council and other partners to establish links with.

I would like to reinforce that I am interested to hear from any business that has any comments to make concerning issues that affect the Town Centre. This newsletter is produced for your benefit and provides the opportunity for matters to be raised with all agencies involved with the Town Centre, take advantage of this opportunity and either write, fax email or phone this office.

Wendy White

tel: 01278 446859

fax: 01278 452538

email: towncentremanager@sedgemoor.gov.uk

Watch Out for new Security Group (BBSG) 

Partnership is the key to effective crime management. Towards this end the Town Centre Partnership has formed the BBSG. A steering group and Board of Management will support a range of initiatives that will be an integeral part of our local community safety strategy.

A new PubWatch scheme is being set up with 20 licenced establishments already committing to membership. This scheme will play a major part in achieving a safe and secure drinking environment in licensed premises and help to reduce drink related crime. Tony Jeff, landlord of the Admirals Landing is the new Chairman of Bridgwater Pub Watch.

RetailWatch is the next scheme planned and an introductory evening is being hosted by Angel Place Shopping Centre at 6.00pm on Monday August 19. You don’t have to be an existing radio link user to join RetailWatch so please get in touch if you wish to book a place by ringing 01278 446859. RetailWatch will link CCTV, local radio communication and information sharing against the most prolific shop thieves and troublemakers as well as promoting the use of exclusion notices and civil recovery as ways of reducing the opportunity for crime. Manager of Boots, Sue McMillan says, "I am pleased to be one of the first members of Retail Watch in Bridgwater. This is a very positive scheme which will help all businesses support each other in reducing the opportunity for crime and anti-social behaviour".

The BBSG’s top priority is to employ a part-time crime coordinator to support these schemes. Among other things, the coordinator will be responsible, with the Police, for the distribution of photographs, production of publicity material, management and invoicing of radio link/pagers, training, security advice, supporting members with exclusion orders, organising group insurance and data protection cover. This role and other administration costs will be funded from membership fees, support from radio suppliers and sponsorship.

The individual schemes running under the BBSG umbrella will be working to Home Office approved operational guidelines. RetailWatch will be making an application for the Safer Shopping Award which recognises successful crime reduction partnerships.

The Key aims for the BBSG are to:- 

• Reduce the overall cost of Crime in Bridgwater

• Reduce the abuse of drugs and drug related crime

• Create a clean, safe and secure Town Centre

• Build a stronge community through an effective partnership

• Reduce crime, criminal opportunity, anti-social behaviour and fear of crime

• Use and co-ordinate resources more effectively

• Promote a positive image of Bridgwater

• Link priorities to Sedgemoor Crime and Disorder Strategy.

If you require further information about PubWatch and RetailWatch, or are interested in becoming a financial sponsor of this initiative, please contact: 

Town Centre Manager 01278 446859

Bridgwater Town Centre Police Team 01833 363330 

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