11 Nov Businesses urged to log CCTV cameras on crime prevention map
Police and the BID are asking businesses to get in touch if they have CCTV cameras outside their premises to help create a map of coverage across the borough.
Southwark’s Business Improvement District, Team London Bridge, wants to help the Met Police pinpoint private coverage and know who to approach for it, in the event it can provide evidence of a crime.
It follows the launch of the Met’s ‘Operation Vestia’ to tackle robbery and improve the investigations’ process, with Southwark’s areas of focus being London Bridge to Tower Bridge, Elephant & Castle and Peckham (Rye Lane).
PC Nick Morant, the BID-funded officer, is available to come and provide your staff with a brief personal safety and crime prevention talk.
If you would like to book an appointment or have CCTV, email info@teamlondonbridge.co.uk
The BID and police also have the following advice for businesses:
– advise staff to be vigilant with their personal belongings (particularly mobile phones), especially when on pavements alongside busy roads, as offenders primarily use pedal cycles.
– encourage staff to make use of apps such as Find My iPhone and provide this location information to the police.
– encourage staff to keep a copy (not on their phone!) of their device’s IMEI number which can be done by dialing *#06# on the handset. In the event of a robbery/theft this number should be given to the police.
– if the suspect is still nearby, robbery victims or other witnesses should report the crime immediately by calling 999 with as good a description as they can manage because there’s a chance they can be caught.
– if it’s not an emergency, please always report the crime via 101 or online providing as much information about the precise location and suspect as possible.
The Op Vestia team are working 24/7 and have taken over responsibility for over 100 open robbery investigations from existing Officers In Charge (OICs). This is to try and link offences and identify offenders to new incidents coming in.
As well as these investigative resources there is also be an increased presence of high visibility and plain clothes officers.