Harrogate ShopSafe Alert app will boost businesses' efforts to stop anti-social behaviour
Harrogate Bus Company is joining a wide-ranging new initiative to ensure Harrogate is a safe and welcoming town centre.
Harrogate may be one of the best places in North Yorkshire for an evening out but, as with any busy town, crime and anti-social behaviour can affect businesses, staff, residents and visitors.
The Harrogate Bus Company is to join Harrogate BID’s ShopSafe Alert app, a digital network that connects local authorities with over 30 businesses across the town centre.
Through the ShopSafe Alert app, the Harrogate Bus Company, along with other local businesses, can record and share information about incidents and emerging concerns, helping build a wider picture of what is happening across the town in real time.
Transdev Head of Operations, Kel Pizzuti, said: “The safety and security of our customers and driver colleagues will always remain a top priority for us here at the Harrogate Bus Company – so the decision to join a network that drives down criminal and anti-social behaviour was an easy one.
“ShopSafe will help keep participating businesses informed with what’s happening in the local area and around the district.
"It will also play a key part in the initiative to achieve Purple Flag accreditation.
"We would strongly encourage other businesses in Harrogate to participate and help make this town safer for everyone.”
Harrogate Bus Company is already part of Shop Watch and Pub Watch programmes, uses Harrogate Council’s CCTV & Radio system, and has its own robust CCTV systems around the bus station and inside vehicles.
The CCTV systems are fitted inside all of Harrogate Bus Company’s single- and double-decker buses, and in the bus station – and it will also issue body cameras to its Duty Managers.
Harrogate BID’s Business Crime Officer, Paul Evans, said: “Keeping Harrogate safe is a shared responsibility, and effective partnership working is an important part of that.
"The ShopSafe app gives businesses a straightforward way to share information about incidents and concerns.”
Businesses wanting to find out more about ShopSafe or get involved with Harrogate BID’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership, contact Business Crime Officer, Paul Evans at: [email protected]