Keeping an eye on businesses during the COVID-19 crisis

Keeping an eye on businesses during the COVID-19 crisis

In response to concerns about a possible increase in break-ins to commercial property the Business Improvement District (BID) has negotiated with the council and police to allow the security firm which operates the town’s weekend taxi marshal service to switch to mobile patrols.

The BID has also teamed up with the Hastings Area Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) to provide additional funding that increases the hours available for these patrols, which are now taking place seven nights per week.

The overnight checks cover the main town centre as well as the Old Town, St Leonards and surrounding areas.

The BCRP has also provided additional funds for an existing security patrol covering the Old Town during the late afternons and early evenings so that they can extend their hours.

Unlike some other towns Hastings has not yet experienced any significant increase in thefts or attempted thefts from businesses that have closed up during the current situation. However there have been a few more reports than usual, and based in what has been seen elsewhere this seemed a sensible precaution to take.

In the first couple of nights the patrol has already seen off a group of youths who were acting suspicioulsy in a car late at night in St Leonards, investigated a building alarm going off, and helped prevent a case of arson.

We need to ensure that when restrictions are lifted it is as easy as possible for local businesses to start trading again.

John Bownas, BID Manager

At Titanium we’ve built a loyal customer-base of local businesses who we really want to see srvive this crisis. We’re pleased to be working alongside the BID, the BCRP, the council and the police to help protect property in the area.

Terry Elliston, MD, Titanium Security

We’re compltely dedicated to seeing to it that businesses in the town don’t suffer from break-ins or criminal damage – so we are determined to do our bit by being the eyes and ears of Hastings through this crisis

Ali, owner, Sterling Security Services Ltd.