Shop Watch

WINSFORD shopkeepers are proving they mean business when it comes to tackling Anti-social Behaviour.

Membership of Winsford Shop Watch has increased by more than five times since it was first launched in September last year and the growth shows no signs of slowing as more and more traders, managers, employers and employees realise the benefits of being involved.

Local store manager Paul Williams who chairs the group said: “We started out with just 12 shops signed up. Now we have 62. That’s an excellent achievement which is largely down to the support and enthusiasm of the scheme members and the local Community Action Team police officers.

A total of nine individuals are already feeling the effects of the banning scheme after members decided to exclude them from premises on the grounds of their unacceptable behaviour.

The bans are proving effective which is good news not only to businesses and customers but also the banned person themselves as they run the risk of being considered for an Anti-social Behaviour Order if they ignore the ban and continue to be a nuisance.

CAT officers and police staff attend the regular Shop Watch meetings and they use the opportunity to pick up on any emerging problems and pass on details of any police issues which may affect the scheme members.

Shop Watch

For further information contact: 01244 613269