Doormen at a Shropshire nightclub will be kitted out with CCTV body cameras as part of a new project aimed at keeping clubbers safe.

Grant Lees, venue manager of C:21 and Spirit, said: “We want to continue to ensure that our nightclubs lead the way in new technology that helps to enforce our strict door policy.

The initiative is also supported by Shrewsbury Pubwatch manager Richard Goodchild.

He said: “We presented the idea at the last Pubwatch meeting, and I am delighted that both C:21 and Spirit nightclub have been so proactive in installing the system so promptly.

“It really is an excellent device in helping to reduce crime and disorder, and it’s a system that West Mercia Police not only endorse but also make use.”

A dramatic reduction of 60% in the level of verbal abuse was achieved by the SIA Approved Contractor, ISS Mediclean, at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital during an 8 week trial using body worn video equipment to record incidents. The Robocam mobile CCTV units, supplied by Interconnective Limited, are being used extensively by UK Police forces and also being introduced into the private security sector. The trial has demonstrated the equipment to be effective when dealing with acts of violence, aggression and anti social behaviour. ISS Mediclean is currently finalising deployment of the Robocam body cameras throughout its business with the first two sites being the Chelsea & Westminster and Worcester Hospitals.

Sergeant Rob Thomas from Wellington’s Local Policing Team has hailed the success of an initiative that has seen the owners of Wrekin Retail Park fund their own dedicated Community Support Officer.
The park attracts large numbers of vehicle borne shoppers from across Telford and Shropshire, as well as being located next to the Arleston area of Wellington from where foot access to the park is possible. Although the footpath provides a convenient pedestrian route for shoppers, the downside is that it also allows easy access to the park for those intent on committing crime or causing a nuisance.
With this downside in mind, in 2006 initial contact was made with the park’s owners, agents Legal and General Property Limited, when a meeting was called to discuss ongoing problems with crime, vehicle and pedestrian nuisance and other types of anti social behaviour on the park.
The initial discussion led to the proposal that, in addition to the normal policing service, the site owner’s fund a Community Support Officer, employed and managed by West Mercia Police, to work exclusively on the park. The intention of this proposal was to provide increased reassurance to customers and retailers as well as having a direct effect on crime and disorder levels.
As a successful result of further discussions, on April 1st 2007 the dedicated Wrekin Retail Park CSO started work for the first time.
Speaking about this use of this CSO, Sergeant Thomas explained:
“This initiative has allowed us to increase the number of CSOs on the adjoining Arleston and College Local Policing Team from two to three. This means that we have not only been able to employ a CSO dedicated solely to the park, but also that it is possible to rotate the CSO working on the park on a weekly basis.
“This has meant that the staff involved are constantly refreshed and looking forward to a new challenge - as well as bringing with them their up to date local knowledge of problem individuals from the surrounding area.
“Recent evaluation work has shown that in the period April to September 2007 there have been roughly a 70% drop in crime and a 50% drop in anti social behaviour on the park compared to the same period in 2006.”
A spokesperson for Legal and General said:
“Legal & General are very pleased with these initial results and the way that this positive initiative has improved the environment for our retailers, customers and the local community”.

Telford Police’s robo-cam equipment has also been used by the CSOs working on the retail park and Sergeant Thomas explained how this has been a source of useful information for his team.
“The use of robo-cam has allowed us to gather evidence to assist the local policing team when tackling the anti social behaviour of some local youths. It has also helped detect a number of criminal offences involving littering and draw attention to the careless and inconsiderate driving of some visitors.

Robocam UK Ltd has been awarded a West Mercia Police Authority contract for the supply of body worn video devices.

Total final value of contract(s):
Value: £43 300 GBP, excluding VAT.