Crime-busting scheme to be launched on Telford industrial estate
A new two-day crime busting road show will be launched at a Telford industrial estate this month.
Operation Citadel has doubled in size following its success on Stafford Park last year. It is aimed at cracking down on business crime across the huge industrial estate.
Businesses including RMP Events and SmartWater have teamed up with Telford police to launch the two-day event to be held on May 28 and 29.
Trevor Bate, spokesman for RMP Events said: “This is a neighbourhood watch scheme for the business community.
“We had such a huge response to the one-day event last year we have extended it over two days this year.
“Events will be spread across Stafford Park which will hopefully raise awareness to other businesses of the threat of crime.
“We want every business on Stafford Park to work together, small things like reporting any suspicious vehicles and offering any CCTV opportunities when a crime has taken place can make a huge difference.
“We should all be picking up the phone or sending e-mails to each other when there is anything to report.
“We ourselves who spend the most time here can act as eyes and ears for the police.”
RMP Events has provided a patrol car as part of Operation Citadel, along with marquees which will be used across the estate.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the police will also be at the two-day event.
Last year SmartWater gave £100,000 of free forensic marking kits which were given to businesses who committed themselves to the scheme.
Some of these are still available for businesses who sign up to Operation Citadel.
Dave Reynolds, spokesman for SmartWater said: “Our staff will be touring the estate as part of the road show as part of the strategic approach to combat crime and we hope every business will embrace this operation.”
Steve Loveridge, crime risk advisor at Telford police said: “We don’t have to live next door to be neighbourly – you can be a neighbour in business where you watch over each other and always have crime prevention at the forefront of your mind.”
The operation was launched last year in line with the Government’s Big Society idea where companies were urged to join together to create a secure business zone, share crime information and give crime prevention advice.
