Crime-fighting Facewatch tool to be tested at Ryemarket
A shopping centre in Stourbridge is to become one of the first to trial a new Facewatch scheme to stamp out crime.
The Ryemarket shopping centre is signing up to trial the web-based crime-reporting tool that aims to save police time and effort and allows shopkeepers to share information on possible troublemakers.
If successful it could be rolled out across the rest of Stourbridge and Dudley borough.
In January teenagers were banned from the Ryemarket pay and display car park under new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour and prohibits under-18's from entering the car park unless driving a vehicle or accompanied by a responsible adult.
Shoppers using the car park had complained about gangs of teenagers and skateboarders. Windows were smashed and walls daubed with graffiti.
Information from Facewatch can be shared instantly, allowing members to warn other town centre shops and the police about potential causes for concern.
It provides a secure online portal which enables police, business and communities to work together.
It is free for police to use and requires no system integration to get started and is accessible simply via an internet connection.
Police Community Support Officer Richard Plumb, who is liaising with The Ryemarket to launch the scheme, said: "The Ryemarket centre manager Kelley Dyas and her team have been instrumental in making the scheme a success and we anticipate a notable drop in retail crime across the town, followed by a reduction in disorder offences when the system is implemented throughout nightclubs and pubs, closer to the European Football Championships in June.
"Facewatch is utilised heavily throughout Birmingham city centre and has really helped improve working partnerships with the local police, retailers, security companies and street wardens; reducing crime, disorder and the fear of crime.
"We look forward to continuing this work within the Ryemarket, Stourbridge and the Dudley borough."
Ryemarket manager Kelley Dyas said: "We're delighted to be at the forefront of this scheme which is new to Stourbridge and we will help in any way we can.
"Our tenants are giving their full support and we hope to see the scheme extended across the rest of the town and even further afield and I'm sure it will be to everyone's benefit - except the criminals and troublemakers."
Councillor Nicholas Barlow said when a Public Space Protection Order was introduced in January that he hoped it could bring an end to the anti-social behaviour misery.
