Littlehampton ShopWatch Radios go digital | Latest news

Thanks to funding from the Safer Arun Partnership, Littlehampton ShopWatch has upgraded its radio system to give town centre traders better security. 

Switching from analogue to the new digital radio system will improve the quality of communications between shops, promoting the sharing of information within the business community.

The new system also has the advantage of covering a wider area of Littlehampton town centre.

ShopWatch is a traders’ initiative to counter crime against business, including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. With the improved radio system, around 50 town centre businesses will be able to communicate with each other – and with the police and business wardens - so that they can alert each other to any incidents. 

Littlehampton ShopWatch Coordinator Paul Wakeman said: “We are really grateful to Arun District Council and the Safer Arun Partnership for funding the upgrade and for the support being given to the Traders Partnership and Littlehampton ShopWatch.  

“The scheme is a really effective way for traders to protect their businesses, their staff and customers. We also have a reporting app called DISC that allows us to log incidents that the Police and the Council’s Community Safety Team can then access and use for evidence and the prosecution of offenders.”

Chair of the Safer Arun Partnership and Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Councillor Gill Yeates keenly supports this initiative. 

She said: “Traders are key to the success of our town centres, especially at the current time, so it’s heartening to see them leading on initiatives that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of their staff and customers.

“I applaud and fully support this initiative. The Safer Arun Partnership works hard to support our communities and initiatives such as Littlehampton ShopWatch certainly help towards our common objective of keeping Arun safe for residents and visitors alike.”