Attack alarms for Ballymena shop staff

Ballymena shop staff will be equipped with attack alarms and anti-forgery detectors as part of a fight-back initiative against retail crime.
Local retailers along with the Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, at the launch of the Ballymena Retail Crime Reduction Pack. INBT41-221ACLocal retailers along with the Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, at the launch of the Ballymena Retail Crime Reduction Pack. INBT41-221AC
Local retailers along with the Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, at the launch of the Ballymena Retail Crime Reduction Pack. INBT41-221AC

The new ‘Crime Reduction Package’ was launched this week by Ballymena Mayor Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, and contains advice on Retail Theft, Internal theft, Counterfeit fraud, Cyber crime and Refund fraud.

It also includes a personal attack alarm for staff and a UV light counterfeit note detector free of charge.

Commenting at the launch in the Mayor’s Parlour, Councillor Wales said: “Ballymena already has very low retail crime rates due to effective partnership-working between Ballymena Retailers Against Crime Radio Link initiative, Ballymena Borough Council CCTV scheme and the PSNI Town Beat Team. This partnership has been highly effective in minimizing retail losses and has introduced projects including staff awareness training, and through Ballymena Policing and Community Safety Partnership, the Town Centre Warden scheme”

She added that “This latest initiative is an excellent example of the partnership that exists between the statutory and private sector in Ballymena and shows what can be achieved when organisations share their expertise and co-operate together.”

The Retail Crime Reduction package is the product of partnership between Ballymena Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PSNI, Ballymena Town Centre Development Company and Mercury Security Management.

Martin North, the current Chairman of Ballymena Retailers Against Crime, welcomed the Crime Reduction Package, saying: “This package will be of benefit to all our retailers, especially with important advice given on aspects such as “refusing entry” and “powers of arrest and detention.

“The brochure will be especially valuable for training new staff on the issues they need to be aware off. I am very happy to announce that Mercury Security Management have, in addition to sponsoring the personal attack alarms, agreed to offer a special discount to Ballymena Businesses for a range of their Services.”

Inspector Alison Ferguson of Ballymena PSNI added: “Empowering retailers to tackle retail crime is an excellent way to help make Ballymena town centre a safer place for everyone. Police will work in partnership to continue to reduce retail crime rates.”

Information on additional measures available for businesses with a recurring problem including anti climb paint, battery PIR alarms, and detection mirrors Is included in the pack.